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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Florida Atlantic

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 5, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts during the first half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts during the first half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 5: Marcus Domask #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini attempts a shot as Tre Carroll #25 of the Florida Atlantic Owls defends during the first half of a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2023 in New York City. Illinois defeated FAU 98-89. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 5: Marcus Domask #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini attempts a shot as Tre Carroll #25 of the Florida Atlantic Owls defends during the first half of a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2023 in New York City. Illinois defeated FAU 98-89. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. Marcus Domask have a day

In my time as an Illinois basketball fan, I have watched some special moments. There are so many big games from players or meaningful games as a fan that are burned into my memory.

Brandon Paul dropping 43 points on Ohio State over 10 years ago. Ayo Dosunmu hitting a dagger against Michigan State right after an ESPN commentator says, “this won’t end well for Illinois.” The insane comeback of the Illini against Arizona in the Elite 8. And the heartbreak I felt in the hotel room in Myrtle Beach as I watched us lose to North Carolina in the national title. All of these, and more, are going to stick with me for the rest of my life.

On Tuesday night against Florida Atlantic, I watched another “stick with me” performance. Marcus Domask, a player I have been hard on in the past few weeks, showed up with his lunch pail and went to work.

I have always thought Domask was a talented offensive player, but what he did against the Owls was something special. They couldn’t stop him at any level of the floor. He finished the game with 33 points, six rebounds, three assists, and just one turnover. He also shot 15-of-21 from the floor.

Domask was stepping out and hitting three-pointers. He was 2-of-6 from distance on the night. But what impressed me the most about his game was his ability to score inside the three-point arc.

Against Florida Atlantic, Domask showed Illini fans the scope of his talent. He drove into the lane and went up against a 7-foot-1 big man. Domask won those battles by being smart and getting the ball over the trees in the paint.

There was a time Domask drove into the lane and did his best impression of Dirk Nowitzki too. He was amongst the trees and hit the Owls’ defenders with a fadeaway jumper.

I was impressed with Domask the entire night. He showed me that he was more than just a great mid-major player. This kid is the real deal offensively, and I can’t wait to see what he can do against the Big Ten.

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