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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Texas

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Texas Longhorns during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Texas Longhorns during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 06: Jayden Epps #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes up for a layup during the second half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on December 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 06: Jayden Epps #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes up for a layup during the second half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on December 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

2. Freshmen came up big again

I feel like I type this after every game, but the Illinois basketball team would not be 7-2 if we didn’t have the sensational freshmen who came in from the class of 2022.

Honestly, I can’t think of the last recruiting class to come into the program and make this big of an impact. I would say it was probably the class of 2002. Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and James Augustine were three of the top six scorers on the team as freshmen.

Illinois was down big against Texas at one point in the second half. The Longhorns had the lead 56-46 with just eight minutes to go in the contest. With the way the Illini were playing, I thought there was a chance that this game was over.

But then the freshmen stepped up. Jayden Epps led the way with a great scoring barrage, but every freshman contributed to the great comeback. In the final eight minutes of the game, the Illini freshmen would put up nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. They were a huge reason Illinois was able to come back and take this game into overtime.

For the game, Epps would finish third on the team in scoring, ending the day with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one block. Sencire Harris had another great defensive day, and he ended the game with five points, two rebounds, two blocks, and one assist.

Illinois’ four freshmen would combine for 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. This group is so talented, and we are going to need them if we want any chance at winning a national title.

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