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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss against Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 16: Aundre Hyatt #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in action against Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during a game at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 16: Aundre Hyatt #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in action against Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during a game at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. A starting lineup change is a must

How many times can I beat this drum? I mean, how in the world did we have the same starting lineup on Wednesday night as we did on Sunday? That is a coaching mishap.

The first player I would obviously send to the bench is Jacob Grandison. He is a nice enough kid, but he has been struggling more than just about anyone in the starting lineup.

Over his last seven games, Grandison has shot 30% from the field, and that includes one outlier game where he went 5-of-9 from the field. If you take away that game, he is shooting 24.3% from the field in six out of the last seven games.

Grandison has been even worse from three-point range. In the past seven games, he is hitting 24.2% of his three-pointers. At a point in the game against Rutgers, I just shook my head at what the coaching staff is doing. Grandison just doesn’t have it right now, and he still got 21 minutes. Send him to the bench and make him a reserve.

A replacement for Grandison would be RJ Melendez. He brings more energy and better size to the basketball court. Melendez is also a way more efficient player. Here is a shocking stat for you, in the past three games, Melendez has played 38 minutes and scored 32 points. In the past six games, Grandison has played 154 minutes and scored 36 points.

I feel like that is an easy change. Melendez for Grandison should be a no-brainer swap starting the next game.

There is one more tweak I would like to see. I know some people are going to scoff at this, but we need to put Andre Curbelo into the starting lineup for the next game. I know that sounds crazy because he just gave Illinois 19 minutes but only had two points, five assists, and two steals to go along with three turnovers. But I truly believe Illinois needs a point guard to get the offense going.

Trent Frazier is not a point guard. He tries to be and he gives it his all, but he doesn’t have the natural point guard abilities. Illinois needs a playmaker to bring the ball up the court. I would suggest putting Da’Monte Williams on the bench.

If Brad Underwood would go with my lineup, Illinois would have Curbelo, Frazier, Alfonso Plummer, Melendez, and Kofi Cockburn as the starting lineup. Curbelo could drive the ball and find an open Kofi under the basket or he can kick it out for an open three-pointer by Plummer. With Curbelo, there are actually options for the offense.

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