Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Ohio State

The Illinois basketball team finished off the amazing 2020-21 campaign with a victory over Ohio State.

Illinois traveled and took down the Buckeyes at Value City Arena 73-68. It was not an easy game, especially considering the Illini were down four with just a couple of minutes left. But Illinois surged ahead and came out victorious.

Here are four observations from the Illini win over Ohio State.

1. Keep Curbelo on the bench

What if I told you that one of the best players Illinois has had come through their program in the last 20 years is coming off the bench this season?

That is the case right now. Andre Curbelo continues to come off the bench for the Orange and Blue. I believe he is quickly becoming one of the best players on the team this season and is someone that, when he is done in Champaign, will be one of the best players to ever come through the program.

Curbelo has stepped up into a more prominent role on the team the last few weeks. This bigger role has given the star guard more time to shine and shining he is doing.

On Saturday night, Curbelo tore through Ohio State. He had 19 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds while going 6-of-8 from the field and 1-of-1 from three-point range. He also got to the free throw line seven times and drained six of his attempts.

Curbelo is good enough right now to start for, literally, every team in the country including Illinois. But I love that he is coming off the bench. I want to keep him in that role this season.

The spark Curbelo brings off the bench is incredible. No one would be able to match the spark that he brings to the table. Illinois has the ability to bring in a fresh superstar when every other team is rotating in just okay backups. That type of depth wins you national titles. Let’s have Curbelo continue to come off the bench.