5. Tre White is playing the best basketball of his career
When Illinois landed Tre White, I wasn’t completely sure what we would be getting. I was thinking more of a slasher, and that is what I wanted him to be this season.
For about a month of the season, there was a stretch when White averaged just five points per game. He wasn’t being effective, and there were various circumstances that caused this production drop-off.
Over the last four games, White has gotten extremely hot and is playing some of the best basketball of his career.
In the win over Purdue, White put up 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block while shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. This great shooting performance has been a trend for the star wing too.
Just in the last four games, White is 9-of-15, 60%, from three-point range. In the prior 24 games of the season, White was 10-of-43, 23.2%, from beyond the three-point arc. That is an insane bump in shooting.
I love White’s energy on the court too. He has been aggressive in the rebounding department. He has been skying for rebounds lately, compiling 20 rebounds in the past two contests and having nine against Purdue. Those boards are crucial in Illinois getting more chances to score.
In the past four games alone, White is averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 24-of-36, 66.7%, from the field and 9-of-15, 60%, from three-point range. This four-game stretch has been incredible to watch, and Illinois is going to be extremely dangerous if he can keep it up.