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5 massive observations from the Illinois basketball win over SIU-Edwardsville

It was a big night for the Illinois basketball team, as SIU-Edwardsville was the victim of a massive Illini attack on both sides of the court.

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 8, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives against SIU Edwardsville Cougars guard Brian Taylor II (11) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives against SIU Edwardsville Cougars guard Brian Taylor II (11) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
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2. This is an incredibly dangerous Illinois team from 3-point range

It has been a long time since I enjoyed an Illinois team that could shoot well from three-point range. It was a rare thing before Brad Underwood, but since he took over, the program has started to trend toward the three-point arc.

Illinois’ three-point shooting really took a boost when players like Alfonso Plummer and Terrence Shannon Jr. came aboard. Those players are gone, but Illinois hasn’t missed a beat. This might be one of the most dangerous three-point shooting Illinois teams I have ever seen.

The player who blew me away on Friday night from three-point range was Ben Humrichous. I am not sure how he spent three years at Huntington University and one season at Evansville. This kid could have been on any roster in the country.

Humrichous’ quick release from three-point range is insane. When he gets the ball, he doesn’t hesitate. He can fire the ball off quickly. It is very similar to the skilled three-point shooters like Kyle Korver or Klay Thompson. Humrichous clearly practices his quickness in getting the ball off.

I think Humrichous is going to be Illinois’ biggest weapon from three-point range this season. You have to guard him or he is going to obliterate you from distance. But Illinois also had depth from three-point range.

Tre White led the game off on Friday night with a couple of big three-pointers. He finished 3-of-5 against SIU-Edwardsville. I mentioned this earlier, but our 7-foot-1 big man Tomislav Ivisic steps out and shoots from distance. He was 2-of-4 on the night. Will Riley comes off the bench at 6-foot-8 and goes 3-of-5 from three-point range.

Illinois had two players go 0-of-9 from the three-point arc, and as a team, we still shot 15-of-38, 39.5%. Attempting 38 three-point shots and hitting them at a clip of 39.5% as a team is insane. If we shoot like that for the rest of the season, we will win the national title.

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