Illinois beats Eastern Illinois 87-57 in season opener

CHAMPAIGN — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 24 factors and Coleman Hawkins had 23 factors and 12 rebounds as No. 23 Illinois cruised to an 87-57 win over Jap Illinois on Monday night time.

Dain Dainja added 17 factors on 8-for-9 capturing and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Illini, who outrebounded the Panthers 53-30 and scored 21 second-chance factors on 20 offensive rebounds.

Kinyon Hodges scored 14 factors and Yaakema Rose added 10 for Jap Illinois.

Shannon Jr. set the tone early in his Illinois debut with an athletic, one-handed slam in transition to place his group up 11-6 early. The Texas Tech switch took off someplace between the free throw line and the ‘I’ within the Large Ten brand.

Hawkins shortly answered questions on who would possibly substitute the manufacturing of departed sharpshooters Jacob Grandison and Trent Frazier. He shot 5 for six on 3-pointers within the first half to assist Illinois spring out to a 34-20 lead by the 5:17 mark of the primary half.

The Panthers struggled by means of a 1-for-12 capturing stretch halfway by means of the second half.

Shannon’s layup with 7:18 left capped a 19-3 run to offer Illinois a 30-point lead.

BIG PICTURE

Jap Illinois: The Panthers appear to be a group that can surpass its pitiful 5-26 document from final yr. Hodges didn’t look hesitant towards a gifted group of opposing guards and the Panthers created some open seems to be within the half-court offense.

Illinois: Shannon seems to be like a major scorer within the Large Ten and freshmen Clark, Rodgers, Epps and Harris all had flashes of promise of their NCAA debuts.

UP NEXT

Jap Illinois: The Panthers face one other in-state foe once they host Illinois State on Thursday.

Illinois: Hosts Kansas Metropolis on Friday night time.