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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Morehead State

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 02: Head coach Shauna Green of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half of the game in the second round of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 02: Head coach Shauna Green of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half of the game in the second round of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Jan 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) defends Illinois Fighting Illini guard Genesis Bryant (1) during the fourth quarter of the women’s NCAA division I basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Value City Arena on Sunday afternoon.Basketball Ceb Wbk Illinois Illinois At Ohio State
Jan 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) defends Illinois Fighting Illini guard Genesis Bryant (1) during the fourth quarter of the women’s NCAA division I basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Value City Arena on Sunday afternoon.Basketball Ceb Wbk Illinois Illinois At Ohio State /

3. The Illini have an All-American in Genesis Bryant

There is some special talent living in Champaign right now. On the men’s side, we have someone like Terrence Shannon Jr. who will be one of the best players in the country. On the women’s side, Illinois has Genesis Bryant, one of the most electric guards in all of college basketball.

Without Bryant on Tuesday night, Illinois would have struggled greatly. She finished the game with a career-high 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the field, 2-of-5 from three-point range, and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. She also had four rebounds and four assists on the night.

Those numbers are all fantastic, and Bryant’s impact on the floor is felt by more than just the stat sheet. There was a total of six minutes and 58 seconds when Bryant was off the floor against Morehead State. During those minutes, Illinois was losing the game by four points. Just think about that. We won the game by 20 points, but when Bryant was off the floor, Morehead State was winning by four points.

I also want to note, when Bryant was off the floor, Illinois only managed to score a total of seven points in the game. That is about a point per minute, which is no way to win a game.

Bryant has the potential to be an All-American in 2023-24. She can knock down the three-point shot with ease, but I think her best ability is getting to the hoop. She can run circles around the opponent and finish at the rim. This kid has incredible ability, and she is a much-watch.

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