Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Ohio State

4. Adam Miller is developing rapidly

I mentioned how well Adam Miller had been playing in the observations from the last game, but I want to point out how he continues to develop at a rapid pace.

While Miller started his freshman season off hot, he hit a really rough patch that had a lot of fans down on the kid. There was one three-game stretch where Miller had a total of five points and shot 1-of-9 from the field. Things weren’t looking good.

But since that bad Indiana game where Miller went scoreless and missed all four of his shots, the kid has been sensational. Miller has now hit double-digit points in three out of his last four games and in the other contest he put up nine points.

Miller has now shot above 40-percent from the field in three out of his last four games as well. He is hitting his three-pointers at a higher clip, going 12-of-30 which is 40-percent. While his offensive game is starting to develop nicely, I am also a fan of what he is doing on the defensive end of the court.

The asset Miller is becoming for the Illini defense is amazing to see. He locks the opposing player down with his great body strength and length. He is starting to rebound the ball a little better too. Miller finished the Ohio State game with seven rebounds.

I also want to point out that Miller has had a steal in each of the last two games and has a steal in seven out of the 14 games he has played this season.

While Illinois is going through a bit of a rough patch right now, it is nice to see Miller start developing as a player. This kid is just dipping his toe in the stardom water. Don’t be shocked if he is one of our best players by season’s end.