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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Notre Dame

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 26, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts on the bench during the second half against the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts on the bench during the second half against the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 09: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play in the game against the Jackson State Tigers at State Farm Center on November 09, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

3. Is Plummer still starting?

With some of the key members of the Illinois rotation being out with injuries, it has given Alfonso Plummer a chance to show what he can do on the basketball court.

Plummer ended up scoring 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from three-point range against Kansas State. This was a great showing from a bench player who only played 19 minutes. Brad Underwood changed things up a little bit against UT Rio Grande Valley, though.

In the nine-point win over the Vaqueros, Plummer received his second start and played 38 out of the 40 minutes in the game. His production showed why Underwood trusted him so much. Plummer would finish with 30 points on 6-of-11 shooting from three-point range.

Now the big question remains, will Underwood stick with Plummer as a starter in the Illinois lineup?

I honestly believe he has earned a starting job by being one of the two go-to guys in the past two games. Plummer is one of the main reasons why Illinois won the last two contests. We could easily be 2-4 right now, but Plummer got hot and is playing well.

We will find out who is in the starting lineup on Monday night. Plummer should be inserted as a starter. Let me see something like Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, Plummer, Coleman Hawkins, and Kofi Cockburn. I think this lineup could do some damage.

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