Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

The Illinois basketball team had somewhat of a statement game on Friday night against Rutgers.

Technically, I am not sure you can call a game this early in the season and against a 4-4 program a statement game, but I going to do it anyway. The Illini needed a “wow” win and they got that with an 86-51 drubbing of the Scarlet Knights.

Here are four observations from the Illinois basketball win over Rutgers.

1. Plummer continues to shine

Illinois has snagged various transfer players over the years, but I don’t think there has been a more impactful transfer than Alfonso Plummer.

I thought Plummer was going to be a great addition for the Illini. The kid averaged 13.6 points per game for a solid PAC-12 team in Utah. He can score from distance as well. Plummer was going to be a really good player for the Illini.

But I didn’t even expect what we are seeing out of Plummer. He went from being a really good addition to the program to, possibly, the best player on the team. Yes, I said it, Plummer might be the best player on the Illinois basketball team.

I know, Kofi Cockburn is extremely dominant and is likely the best player, but Plummer is giving him all he can handle for the best player on the court. Plummer, once again, shined for the Illini on Friday night. He finished the Rutgers blowout with 24 points and three rebounds while going 8-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-8 from the three-point arc. He also hit all five of his free throw attempts.

Over the past four games, since Plummer has been given the keys to the car, he has scored at least 21 points in each contest. He has also shot 28-of-54, 51.8%, from the field and 19-of-39, 48.7%, from three-point range. Illinois is 4-0 in this stretch.