Illinois Basketball: 2020-21 Illini season wrap-up for Trent Frazier

Trent Frazier had an impactful fourth year for the Illinois basketball team.

Frazier came to Champaign after being wanted by many different programs across the nation. Some of the bigger names included Baylor and Kansas State. But the Illini were able to pull the Wellington production into the program. We are now four years into the Frazier ride, and it has been a wild one.

Here is Trent Frazier’s 2020-21 Illinois basketball season wrap-up.

• Expectations

Coming into this season, I knew Frazier was going to have to step up. Being one of the oldest players on the roster, I expected him to take a leadership role. I also expected his scoring numbers to go up with Andres Feliz and Alan Griffin both leaving.

Last season, Frazier averaged 9.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. His shooting splits were terrible. He shot 32-percent from the field and 30-percent from three-point range. Knowing he needed to step up, I thought he would put up better numbers in the 2020-21 season. I expected Frazier to average 11 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game.

• Reality

Frazier met my expectations. He was arguably the most impactful player for Illinois on offense and defense. Every game, Frazier took the assignment of guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player. Not to mention he was a big reason why Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament.

Frazier’s 2020-21 season stats consisted of 10.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His shooting percentages went up. He shot 40-percent from the field and 36-percent from three-point range. The defensive impact that he had on the team earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive team. Frazier also stepped up as a secondary ball-handler and scorer after Ayo Dosunmu went down with an injury.

• Future

Frazier announced he would be putting on an Illinois basketball uniform for a fifth season. He will be a key contributor and leader, with Illinois having a younger team next season. I can’t wait to see him suit up in Orange and Blue for one more ride.