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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over the Wisconsin Badgers

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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Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Matthew Mayer wasn’t good, he was special

Illinois players are finding their roles on the team. Ty Rodgers and Sencire Harris know they are energy guys. Dain Dainja is a monster in the paint. Terrence Shannon Jr. will bulldog his way through the lane.

With all of these players developing their roles, I believe Matthew Mayer is starting to really get comfortable in his role.

Leader.

Mayer went from being outspoken about the direction of the Illinois basketball program to being the leader of this team in the past couple of months. He wanted all the weight on his shoulders, and he took that pressure and is making diamonds.

On Saturday afternoon, Mayer wasn’t just good for the Illinois basketball team. He was special in every form and fashion.

Mayer would finish with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 from three-point range. He also had six rebounds, one block, and one steal.

Illinois needed Mayer’s scoring ability on Saturday. The only other player who was able to hit shots consistently from outside of 10 feet was Jayden Epps. I have said this before and I will say it again, Mayer is an amazing shot creator. I think he is better when the ball is in his hands and we let him work.

Mayer has now scored at least 10 points in 10 out of the past 12 games. He failed to score a point in the Indiana game because he was sick, and he only scored seven against Bethune-Cookman because we didn’t need him to score. Mayer continues to impress on the court, and he is going to be our rock come tournament time.

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