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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Eastern Illinois

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 7, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) dunks the ball during the second half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) dunks the ball during the second half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Sencire Harris (1) tries to dunk the ball over Eastern Illinois Panthers forward Jermaine Hamlin (34) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Sencire Harris (1) tries to dunk the ball over Eastern Illinois Panthers forward Jermaine Hamlin (34) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Confidence with the bench is growing

Coming into the 2022-23 campaign, I was optimistic about the Illinois bench. I thought that we had a good mix of experience and youth to help spark the second rotation.

Well, I cranked up my worries for the bench when Luke Goode went down with a foot injury. His injury is going to keep him out for at least half of the season. This hurt the Illini depth tremendously. Goode was probably going to be the first player off the bench.

The early games this season are supposed to be about the development of the bench talent. Brad Underwood was able to secure a great class of 2022, and these freshmen are going to be relied on to be the bench talent for Illinois. That was kind of a scary thought.

But, through the exhibition game and now the first game of the regular season, my confidence in the bench play is starting to grow quickly.

Illinois’ trio of freshmen off the bench is special. Ty Rodgers, once he starts developing his offensive game, is going to be an incredible player. I think he has a chance to be one of the all-time greats in Illinois basketball history. He finished with one point, eight rebounds, and five assists against Eastern Illinois.

My love for Sencire Harris’ game continues to grow with each minute he is on the court. His defensive prowess is that of a senior. He ended up leading the team with three steals on Monday night.

And then you have Jayden Epps. He is an electric scorer who has a ton of bounce. I like Epps because he plays with controlled chaos. This kid wants to run, and I love that energy. Look for Epps to put up a 20-point game this season.

The confidence grew in the bench in part because of what I saw from transfer Dain Dainja on Monday night as well. I think Dainja is a solid bench player and won’t be anything more this season. If he can give Illinois anywhere near the 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks he had against Eastern Illinois this season, then it is going to be tough to stop the Orange and Blue. Illinois’ bench is something special.

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