5 crucial observations from the Illinois basketball win over Rutgers

5. Coleman Hawkins is the Sun for Illinois basketball

Many of you will read this headline and wonder what I am talking about. What is the Sun? It is the center of our universe. Everything revolves around the Sun, therefore, Coleman Hawkins is the Sun of the Illinois basketball team.

Everything that happens with the Illinois basketball team revolves around Hawkins. He is such an important player for this team, and we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today without him.

Hawkins didn’t have a great shooting game against Rutgers, but he can do everything on the court. He got his teammates involved with his great passing. He is able to fight big men for rebounds, which happened quite often on Sunday. Hawkins can even play great defense and turn momentum with his quick hands and length.

All of these incredible attributes are why Hawkins finished the 23-point win over Rutgers with 12 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists. He only had two turnovers in the game as well.

Do you know the great dunks and electric moves of Terrence Shannon Jr.? A lot of those wouldn’t be possible without Hawkins pulling down a big rebound and starting the break. You know those set shots from three-point range by players like Justin Harmon? Some of those wouldn’t be possible without incredible skip passes from Hawkins across the court.

Everything revolves around Hawkins. He is an incredible player who affects the game. Hawkins is the Sun for the Illinois basketball program.