5 huge observations from the Illinois basketball win over Florida State

2. Kendall Bostic makes big nights look effortless

I think you have to give the game ball to Adalia McKenzie. Putting up a team-high 20 points in a win over a top-20 program earns you that ball. But let’s not discount what our leader did against Florida State.

Kendall Bostic, the stalwart anchor of the Illinois basketball team, had another great game. She finished Thursday night with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field. Bostic also had nine rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.

Last season, I believe I had multiple articles where I said this, but I will say it again. Bostic puts up big-time numbers in big-time games, and it looks effortless. You blink and boom, she has a near double-double.

While I think she can shoot from distance well, Bostic isn’t putting up these numbers in flashy ways. She is a lunch pail player, and that gives the Illinois program grit and toughness.

This lunch pail mentality shined bright against Florida State. I was paying a ton of attention to players like McKenzie, Gretchen Dolan, and the first appearance of Berry Wallace. Meanwhile, Bostic is scoring 18 points and pulling down nine rebounds.

Bostic is about to lead Illinois to a big season. This wasn’t one of those cupcake stat-stuffing games. Bostic put up those big numbers against a ranked opponent. Big things to come for this superstar forward.