Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers

4. It was a quiet but effective night for Dain Dainja

Illinois currently has a nice mix of guards and big men on the team. I was worried that the Illini wouldn’t have an answer this season at the center position, but Dain Dainja has stepped in and been amazing.

Dainja has put up some big numbers this season. He had 20 points and seven rebounds in a win over Michigan State. He also had 22 points, six rebounds, four blocks, and four steals in a thrashing over Bethune-Cookman.

On Tuesday against Nebraska, Dainja didn’t have another stat-stuffing night. He actually had a quiet game statistically, going for four points, five rebounds, and one block on 2-of-5 shooting from the floor. He put up those numbers playing 25 minutes in the game.

But I believe Dainja was way more valuable to the Illinois basketball team than what is shown on paper. He was a force in the paint, and that is where Nebraska plays their best basketball.

Nebraska’s big men would struggle against Dainja. Their three big men would combine going 4-of-8 from the field and 0-of-1 from three-point range for nine points, 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 44 minutes. They also had six fouls and six turnovers on the night.

Dainja doesn’t have to put up big scoring numbers each night to be effective. The big man can do some serious work just by being a force in the paint.