5. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn’s energy is still infectious
There were quite a few storylines you could pull from the 32-point win over Oregon on Thursday. I think one of the more underrated storylines is the bench play for the Illini.
I talked about Jake Davis in the last slide. He had his best game as a member of the program against Oregon, but he wasn’t the only player who performed well in a big moment.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn stepped back into the spotlight with a big night. He finished the Oregon game with 11 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Gibbs-Lawhorn shot 5-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from three-point range.
I love watching Gibbs-Lawhorn play the game. He has such a joy and energy when he steps on the court, and as a fan, I enjoy that. I can’t imagine what his personality does to his teammates. That type of energy rubs off on people, and I am sure it helps his teammates get energized.
On top of the great energy and enthusiasm for the game, Gibbs-Lawhorn is going to be able to help Illinois down the road. With him clicking, this program can go nine or 10 players deep, which is a luxury not many teams have in college.
It is also nice to see the only player who is active from last year’s team doing well. Gibbs-Lawhorn had had only two other double-digit scoring games this season, and both of those contests were cakewalk games. He suited up and was a big part in taking down No. 9 Oregon. It was great to see him doing well.