Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Maryland

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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 02: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Coleman Hawkins had another impressive game

Despite the rough loss, Illinois has a budding superstar on their hands. Coleman Hawkins was looked at as a potential NBA Draft pick coming into the year, and he is only improving his stock with each game.

Hawkins really blows me away with his abilities. He can literally do everything on the basketball court. There are times he can dribble up the court and start the offense like a point guard. He can hit three-pointers like a shooting guard. He can body players up like a forward and center.

If you guard Hawkins out on the three-point arc, he can use his handles to get into the lane. He will then put up a seven-foot bunny with ease. He did that against Maryland, and it was probably the most impressive thing I’ve seen out of him. The handles and touch were so incredible.

When the final horn blew on Friday night, Hawkins would finish with 16 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, and one assist while going 7-of-17 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range.

This great performance is on the heels of Hawkins putting up the fifth triple-double in the history of Illinois basketball against Syracuse.

For the season, Hawkins is now averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37% from three-point range. The kid is incredible. At this pace, I believe he could end up being a first-round NBA Draft pick.

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