Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Missouri

4. Let’s shake up the starting lineup

Man, I am down after this loss to Missouri. I can’t honestly say, it wasn’t the loss itself that gets me down but more of the way Illinois lost the game. We weren’t in it from the jump.

I mentioned in the first slide how bad Coleman Hawkins was on Thursday night. As a veteran leader on the team, Illinois needed more out of him. His four points, six rebounds, and six turnovers on 2-of-8 shooting from the field and 0-of-6 from three-point range is such a hindrance to this team.

But the issues Illinois had against the Tigers span more than just Hawkins. We also had two starters who failed to put up a single point.

Skyy Clark and RJ Melendez would start the game, and Brad Underwood saw how much they were truly struggling. They would both play a combined 31 minutes and put up zero points, five rebounds, and two assists while going 0-of-7 from the field and 0-of-3 from three-point range. They also had three fouls and a turnover.

So, that means Illinois had three starters with a combined four points. If that continues, we are going to lose a lot of games moving forward.

I think it is time to shake up the starting lineup a little bit. We are struggling greatly, so let’s change things up.

It is time to see what Sencire Harris can do for this Illini starting lineup. He would bring more defense to the team, and with him creating turnovers and stops, this would lead to more fast break points. Illinois thrives in the open court.

Let’s try Dain Dainja at the No. 5 to start the game. He would be a nice change of pace from what we have had lately. He played okay against Missouri with nine points and six rebounds on 4-of-4 shooting.

Give me a starting lineup of Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr., Harris, Matthew Mayer, and Dainja. I think this lineup could do some damage.