Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Oakland

3. Coleman Hawkins changed in the second half

I think it is fair to say Coleman Hawkins had a lackluster first half. He looked disjointed and like he was trying too hard to make the right play. He wasn’t letting the game come to him.

After the first 20 minutes of action, Hawkins played 13 minutes and 33 seconds and had four points, three rebounds, and two assists. He was also sloppy with the ball and had two turnovers. This wasn’t a terrible start to the game, but it just didn’t seem like Hawkins was playing well.

When the final shot was taken in the first half, Hawkins was visibly upset. He wears his emotions on his sleeve at all times, but this was different. He was mad. I don’t know if he was mad at himself or what, but he was visibly mad. I noted it on social media.

This anger is a good thing, though. I would be worried if Hawkins was average and was okay with the mediocre performance. Instead, he got angry because he cares about the game and the product that is on the court.

Hawkins used that anger in the second half. He changed his game and let everything start coming to him. In the second half alone, Hawkins finished with four points, five rebounds, three assists, and he did not turn the ball over one time.

This was an efficient Hawkins and one that is more dangerous. When he has the ball in his hands, he is deadly. At 6-foot-10 and with his great vision, Hawkins becomes a sniper with the ball. He can hit a teammate across the court for a wide open three-point attempt. That is just one of the special attributes Hawkins brings to the game, and he did that quite often against Oakland.

Something was off about Hawkins in the first half on Friday night. He flipped a switch and was more of a facilitator and offensive creator in the second half. This is the special Hawkins that I love to watch.