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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Maryland

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini collides with head coach Brad Underwood after a three pointer during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 10, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 10: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini collides with head coach Brad Underwood after a three pointer during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 10, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Jan 10, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Adam Miller (44) celebrates his three point shot next to center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Adam Miller (44) celebrates his three point shot next to center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Illinois needs Adam Miller

Most of the Illinois basketball team looked bad against Maryland, and we still only lost by three points. Just imagine if we were playing a C- or better game. This would have been an easy win.

One of the reasons the Illini were competitive in this game was due to Adam Miller waking up.

I think it is fair to say that Miller has looked like a true freshman in various games this season. He had a three-game stretch a few contests ago where he combined for 5 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. That is not good production for a starting player on any team in the nation.

But Miller has started to get the speed of the college game down a little better as of late. He dropped 10 points and 3 rebounds against Purdue. He followed that up with 14 points and 4 rebounds against Northwestern. On Sunday night against Maryland, the young guard helped the program again.

Miller finished the game against the Terrapins with 9 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal. He was 3-of-6 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point land. It looked like he was really starting to get the game down. Even though at times Miller looks lost, I believe he is going to be a completely different player come NCAA tournament time.

Illinois needs Miller to continue to progress this season. The starting lineup isn’t reliable, so his ability to put the ball in the hoop is going to be invaluable. Hopefully, we continue to see this kid fill up the stat sheet.

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