Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Michigan

4. Can Jacob Grandison stay hot?

Just a little over a week ago, I was calling for Jacob Grandison’s starting job. He was playing some of the worst basketball on the team, and his confidence was clearly shot at the time.

I was shocked by how bad Grandison was playing. He was getting over 20 minutes in each game, but he couldn’t eclipse the seven-point mark. In a four-game stretch, Grandison was 4-of-17 from three-point range. That is how bad it was for the Illinois guard.

But Grandison broke out of his funk at the right time. Illinois needed a big win over Michigan State, and the senior leader showed up. He dropped 24 points, five rebounds, and five assists on the Spartans. Grandison also hit 6-of-10 from three-point range in that game.

Grandison followed the Michigan State performance with a 14-point outing against Ohio State. To go along with the 14 points, Grandison also had three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. He would shoot 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range in the game.

That leaves me with the big question of can Grandison stay hot? Illinois needs him to continue hitting shots from three-point range. He is a big part of the offense. If he isn’t hitting, then Illinois is most likely struggling.

Let’s get Grandison in a groove early. When he starts making shots, then the offense as a whole flows much better.