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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Valencia

By Rees Woodcock

COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after making a shot in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 26, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after making a shot in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 26, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 02: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on March 2, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Spain exhibition No. 2 is in the books, and the Illinois basketball team put a hurting on Valencia.

Overall, the Illini looked great from the tip. Valencia tried to keep up with us throughout the game, but they were no match for Illinois’ physical size and athletic ability.

This game got out of hand quickly. Illinois was up 50-33 at halftime. By the time the final horn blew, or the seconds ticked down in silence for those watching on Vimeo, the Illini would come away with a 105-60 victory.

I loved a lot of what I saw out of the Illini on Wednesday, but there is still one concerning aspect of the team.

Here are five observations from the Illinois basketball win over Valencia

1. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn has a ton of spunk

Illinois basketball brought in a talented class of 2023. The main player in this class who is getting most of the shine is Amani Hansberry.

Hansberry is a top 60 recruit who won the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year award, so of course he is going to be drooled over. I think Hansberry has a chance to be a pretty special player in the paint for the Illini.

Another great get for Illinois in the 2023 class was Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. The once-Purdue commit flipped his pledge to Illinois and is now in the backcourt for the Orange and Blue. On Wednesday against Valencia, Gibbs-Lawhorn got the start and did some really good things on the court.

Gibbs-Lawhorn has great handles and can distribute the ball well. I love that he pushes the ball up the court and gets Illinois into its offense early. This ability and energy can get him in trouble at times as well.

There were multiple times when Gibbs-Lawhorn would try to go behind the back dribble in the backcourt but would turn the ball over. But right before a turnover like that, he would take the ball baseline to baseline and finish strong at the rim.

Gibbs-Lawhorn would do a windmill dunk but also go 1-of-8 from three-point range. You can tell he wants to contribute and be an impact player, and that is exciting. This kid has a ton of spunk, energy, and confidence. I think he has a chance to be a really good player for Illinois. I am a bit surprised he wasn’t a top-100 recruit coming out of high school.

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