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

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Feb 26, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) drives in for the score as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Isaac Likekele (13) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Terrence Shannon Jr. confuses me

I will be the first to tell you that Terrence Shannon Jr. saved the day against Northwestern. His second half was incredible.

Shannon would finish that win over the Wildcats with 26 points, and 24 of those points came in the second half. He put on his cape and saved the day. But Illinois didn’t get that Shannon on Sunday afternoon.

I was extremely disappointed with what I saw from Shannon against Ohio State. It is not like they came in with a great game plan and shut him down. Shannon just looked disinterested and disengaged.

Shannon would finish the Ohio State loss with 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists while going 3-of-12 from the field and missing all three of his three-pointers. He also had four turnovers and fouled out of the game.

It confuses me greatly on how Shannon can look so great at one point and then look completely out of it mentally minutes later. This kid has so much talent but we don’t get to see it every game.

Maybe having Shannon come off the bench would light a fire underneath him. He came off the bench against Northwestern and led us to victory. Maybe that is the spark that is needed to get Illinois deeper into March.

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