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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions

By Rees Woodcock

Penn State Nittany Lions guard Andrew Funk (10) shoots a free throw after a technical is called on Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Penn State Nittany Lions won 79-76.Psuill030923 Am12820
Penn State Nittany Lions guard Andrew Funk (10) shoots a free throw after a technical is called on Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Penn State Nittany Lions won 79-76.Psuill030923 Am12820 /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 9, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) dunks the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois basketball went up to Chicago with a packed house full of fans, and we ended up laying an egg against Penn State.

This was basically a home game for the Illini. Chicago has always been a great place for the Orange and Blue to play. Instead of it energizing the Illinois players, we went out there and played another bad game.

Penn State didn’t beat us by double-digits, as they had the prior two games this season, but Illinois still couldn’t get ahold of this contest. The Nittany Lions were always hanging around, and a run at the end of the game eventually put the Illini away. Illinois would be handed another loss from Penn State, 79-76.

Here are five observations from the Illinois basketball loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions

1. Coleman Hawkins is better in the paint

There are plenty of NBA Draft boards that have Coleman Hawkins getting selected early in the second round. The reason for this is that he is a versatile player.

Hawkins can do various things on the basketball court. There are times he brings the ball up and gets Illinois moving. He can step back and hit a pro-range three-pointer at any second. But what he is best at is what seems like the thing he doesn’t like to do; dominate the paint.

At 6-foot-10, saying that Hawkins is better in the paint is an obvious statement. But the talented big man likes to play out on the perimeter more than he does in the paint, and you can tell this is a fact by watching him play.

Against Penn State, Hawkins was playing his usual perimeter game for much of the first half. Coming out of halftime, he started to play more of a post-game. When Hawkins played within 10 feet of the basket, he was nearly unstoppable.

Hawkins has great touch around the rim. He had a nice little hook shot that couldn’t be guarded. Him being down in the post also helped with rebounding.

I know post players aren’t what the NBA is looking for, but having Hawkins play more in the post would help Illinois win in the NCAA tournament this season. He would finish with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 0-of-2 from three-point range. Hopefully, there are some adjustments before next Thursday or Friday.

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