Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Western Illinois

2. Ty Rodgers is coming along nicely

Through the first few games, I wasn’t sure if Ty Rodgers was suited to be a starter on the Illinois basketball team. He didn’t seem like he was getting the point guard role, and other upperclassmen were taking the other spots in the starting rotation.

Rodgers had one of the best games of his young career against Western Illinois, though. There were so many different prongs to this good game too.

The four assists that Rodgers contributed were an eye-opener. He was able to distribute the ball well, and as a point guard, that is crucial to the Illinois offense.

I would argue the most impressive thing about Rodgers’ game was his ability to get into the lane. He is deadly when driving. Clearly, he has worked on his touch and finishing around the rim. There were multiple times throughout the game when Rodgers would drive and make a floater. That was not in his arsenal as a freshman.

A stat line of nine points, four rebounds, and four assists on 4-of-7 shooting from the field is what I want to see every night. That is what Illinois needs out of the point guard position as well. Rodgers’ game is coming along nicely, and if he continues to develop at this pace, he is going to be extremely dangerous come March.