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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Iowa

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) defends the ball handler during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) defends the ball handler during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 29: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives the lane against Blake Wesley #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at State Farm Center on November 29, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Will Frazier break out of his rough patch?

The 2021-22 campaign fascinates me. For one, I am impressed by Illinois’ ability to win without an All-American caliber point guard in Andre Curbelo. This team is rolling right now.

I am also intrigued by the Illini winning despite the bad offensive play from Trent Frazier. Frazier is one of my favorite players in the history of the Illinois program, but he has been bad since coming back from his injury.

In Frazier’s last four games, he is 5-of-31 (16%) from the field and 3-of-22 (13.6%) from three-point range. During this stretch, he is also averaging 30.3 minutes in each contest and is only putting up 3.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

I would argue this is the worst stretch of games in Frazier’s historic career. It happens, though. Great players go through rough patches. It is not a matter of if Frazier will break out of this rough streak, it is a matter of when.

There is a strong possibility that Frazier changes course and starts playing well again against Iowa. He has put up solid numbers in the eight games he has played against Iowa during his career.

Against the Hawkeyes, Frazier has averaged 14.4 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 38% from the field and 42.6% from three-point range. He has also won three straight against Iowa.

So, on Monday night, I will be watching to see if Frazier can snap out of his cold streak and put up a good number against Iowa. He is due.

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