Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Cincinnati

2. Why is our roster so short?

Throughout the night, Illinois looked terrible on the court. They started hot but that quickly fizzled out into a 20-point blowout.

As previously mentioned, Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams, Jacob Grandison, and Andre Curbelo all struggled. I will add Coleman Hawkins to that mix as well.

With those players struggling, why is Brad Underwood not extending the roster? Why doesn’t he make some adjustments? Illinois’ talent, particularly in the scoring department, is on the bench, so let’s use that talent instead of waiting until the game is over to sub players into the game.

Graduate transfer Alfonso Plummer, who is known for three-point shooting, only received 19 minutes against Cincinnati and put up six points and two rebounds. He was 2-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-5 from three-point range. He received 19 minutes and scored six points while Hawkins, Grandison, Frazier, and Williams received 98 minutes and scored a total of five points.

I want to see the young guns play more. They are shooting threats as well.

While Luke Goode was out with back spasms, Brandin Podziemski and RJ Melendez played a combined nine minutes in the game, and that was garbage time. They need to see more action.

Illinois has a deep roster. We have talent from the top guy all the way down through our No. 12 on the roster. Let’s use that talent and keep fresh legs on the floor. I don’t get it.