Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Bethune-Cookman

2. Dain Dainja is a monster

I have to pull back the excitement a bit because it is just Bethune-Cookman, but Dain Dainja looked like one of the most dominant centers I have seen in a long time.

Dainja has shown signs of brilliance this season with his tremendous athletic ability mixed in with his near seven-foot size. But on Thursday night, Brad Underwood gave the big man the keys to the center position and Dainja thrived.

Dainja would have a career-high 22 points against Bethune-Cookman. He would also add six rebounds, four blocks, four steals, and two assists while shooting 80% from the field. This was not just the best game of his career, but this was one of the best games I have seen an Illinois player play in the last decade.

I have said this before and I will say it again; if you give Dainja the same usage as you gave Kofi Cockburn, then I believe Dainja would have just as good or better numbers than the former All-American big man.

I realize that some people would scoff at that, but I firmly believe it to be true. Dainja’s athletic ability at the position is something we haven’t seen in a long time, if ever. Dainja is more athletic, has better touch around the rim, and is nearly as physical as Kofi was on the court.

Underwood should continue giving Dainja the start for the Illini. We don’t have to crank up his usage a ton, but he can be a great asset to this program.