Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Marquette

4. I believe Ty Rodgers is starting to get comfortable

Illinois is going with a more unconventional lineup this season. Ty Rodgers is the lead point guard on the team, but he doesn’t play as a point guard. He essentially just brings the ball up the court and gets us into the offense.

I would argue that Rodgers doesn’t really have a position. He isn’t a point guard, but he isn’t a forward. He is truly a Swiss Army Knife for the Illinois basketball program. If you need him to rebound, he can do that. If you need him to pass and facilitate, Rodgers has those abilities. He can also get to the hoop and score.

The only weakness Rodgers has in his game is shooting from the perimeter. He isn’t going to step back and take multiple three-point shots in a game. But Illinois isn’t asking him to do that at this point in his career.

Rodgers finished the Marquette game with six points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. He played 29 minutes and had the ball in his hands a lot, but Rodgers still only managed to have two turnovers on the night.

I love how athletic Rodgers is and this has enabled him to rebound the ball well. His athletic ability also enables him to get to the glass. Compared to his freshman year, Rodgers has improved greatly at finishing around the hoop. He clearly worked on finishing this offseason, and the results are noticeable.

Illinois has a bright future with someone like Rodgers on the roster. He is a player who can do everything, and he leaves it all on the court. The fact he is getting comfortable in his role should be scary to the rest of the Big Ten.