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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Penn State

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts off the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts off the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 02: Ty Rodgers #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 02: Ty Rodgers #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. Freshman trio strikes again

I have raved about the Illinois freshmen so much this season and for good reason. They are currently the backbone of this program.

Skyy Clark is really starting to play well as a starter. There is also a trio of freshmen who come off the bench. This group has been extremely impressive as well, as they are essentially the depth of the Illinois basketball team.

The freshman trio struck again on Saturday with another great performance. Usually, Jayden Epps is the scorer for the freshman trio, but all numbers were distributed pretty evenly on Saturday.

Epps would end up with three points, three rebounds, and one block. Ty Rodgers would finish with six points, three rebounds, and one steal. Sencire Harris would round out the Illini freshman trio with four points, three rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block.

These three combined for 13 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist against Penn State. That is solid bench production, especially from our young guys.

The freshman trio is fun to watch too. Epps is so electric with his movements. He is clearly the lead guy who can get the offense clicking. I think Rodgers is the muscle in the group. He reminds me a lot of a more athletic David West. Rodgers has the all-around talent. And then we get to Harris. This kid is scrappy. He works his butt off for every ball. I’ll continue to say it, he reminds me of what Luther Head was when he first entered the Illinois program. Much like Head, the shot will develop.

If you need any reassurance that the future of the Illinois basketball program is going to be extremely bright, just look at the freshmen who come off the bench. They are arguably the best players we have on the team right now. I trust them more than some starters. I can’t wait to see how good this team is going to be next season.

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