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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk 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 center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) battle for position under the basket during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) battle for position under the basket during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Can we have more balanced minutes?

I know that the Illinois basketball team has some great players in the starting rotation. Kofi Cockburn could end up being the National Player of the Year. That is how good he has been this season.

Alfonso Plummer has been sensational on the offensive end of the court as well. He is a certified bucket getter, and I am amazed by the type of shots he can hit in every game.

My biggest fear with the starters is that we are relying too much on their minutes. We are putting our eggs in their basket and hoping they take us to the promised land.

So, a big question I have for Wednesday night is can Illinois have a more balanced rotation of minutes? I want to see fresh legs on the court quite a bit, and I am not saying this for the sake of saying this. Illinois has the talent to have fresh legs on the court for the majority of the game.

Against Northwestern this past Sunday, Illinois dabbled in the fresh legs mentality. Four different reserves saw at least 10 minutes of action. That is what I love to see. We have the talent, so let’s use the talent.

I am hoping Brad Underwood sticks with this mentality for the rest of the season as well. Let’s keep playing Coleman Hawkins, Omar Payne, RJ Melendez, and Andre Curbelo for at least 10 minutes in each game. I would like to add Luke Goode and Brandin Podziemski into that mix too. Maybe have those two get 5-8 minutes per game.

I want to continue to see a more balanced minutes rotation moving forward. We are at our best when we are rested. Let’s use the reserves to our advantage.

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