Illinois Basketball: 5 big questions for the Illini against Rutgers

5. Does Marcus Domask break out of his funk?

I think I have talked about this quite a few times over the past couple of weeks, but Marcus Domask has not been playing well this season besides for the Marquette game.

Domask against the Golden Eagles went for 18 points, six rebounds, one block, and one steal while hitting 6-of-13 from the field and 3-of-7 from three-point range. If you take that game out, though, Domask has struggled mightily.

Without the Marquette game, Domask is averaging 6.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 turnovers while hitting 12-of-37, 32.4%, from the field and 3-of-18, 16.7%, from three-point range.

When Domask had the big game against Marquette, I thought I was completely wrong about what Illinois should be doing with this Southern Illinois transfer. I thought Domask was going to be something special for the program. But he hasn’t played well besides that one game.

I want to see if Illinois can break Domask out of the funk he is in. I know he can put up big numbers. We have already seen it this season. But can Domask break out against Rutgers?

With Coleman Hawkins ready to return here shortly, if not on Saturday, someone is going to have to go back to the bench. It is likely going to be Dain Dainja, but the big man is playing so well. With Domask’s struggles, is there a chance he is sent back and is one of the first players off the bench? I doubt it but it is something to think about. It is tough to have someone struggle that much in the starting lineup.