Illinois acquired a giant residence win on Friday evening over Michigan State. Jack Larson breaks down the participant grades.

Terrence Shannon Jr.: B+

Terrence Shannon scored 15 of Illinois’ first 19 factors, with a streak of 5-8 taking pictures. After that, he didn’t rating once more till he knocked down a set of free throws with simply 30 seconds left within the sport. He completed with 17 factors, 5 rebounds, and an help.

After the primary ten minutes, folks began questioning what number of factors Shannon would find yourself with to complete the sport. Whereas he didn’t keep the recent hand, however he set the tone. He additionally was a defensive stopper with lowest defensive ranking on the group for the third sport in a row.

Coleman Hawkins: B

Coleman Hawkins had a tough first half from the sector, going into the locker room scoreless with two turnovers. He bounced again after the break with 9 factors and two huge offensive rebounds. His put-back late within the sport helped to seal the victory. Hawkins competed on glass and had 9 rebounds.

What’s most encouraging about Hawkins is he’s determining what he can and might’t do. He had a number of hiccups with the ball towards MSU, however general he’s making higher selections. It was additionally good to see him get a bucket inside on a post-up.

Matthew Mayer: A

With MSU locking up Shannon after his preliminary outburst of factors, Illinois wanted different guys to step up offensively. Mayer was that man, together with huge man Dain Dainja. After scoring simply 5 factors within the first half, Mayer owned the second half with 14.

Whereas Mayer was in foul hassle all through the evening, he nonetheless performed the perfect protection that he’s performed all yr, racking up six blocks, essentially the most out of any participant on Illinois this season. Mayer had one greatest nights as an Illini. The truth that Underwood had the boldness to run performs for him late in a decent sport says quite a bit.

Dain Dainja: A

Michigan State couldn’t defend Dainja on publish ups. He acquired deep into the publish within the second half, referred to as for the ball, then completed with both hand. There have been stretches when he carried Illinois and he completed with a team-high 20 factors to go together with 7 rebounds and two blocks

One of the vital spectacular issues about Dainja’s sport was defending with out fouling. He additionally confirmed the power to play for longer stretches with out carrying down, logging 32 minutes on the evening.

Jayden Epps: B

Jayden Epps made jumpers and missed layups. He’s good at penetrating the protection, however he want to enhance at ending across the rim. Epps completed with seven factors on 3-10 taking pictures, whereas including three rebounds and 5 assists.

The perfect factor about Epps’ evening was the strides he made as a pure level guard. He’ll must proceed to develop in that space with Skyy Clark now not on the group. He confirmed extra maturity and was stronger with the ball, ending with zero turnovers.

RJ Melendez: C

RJ Melendez performed for simply 18 minutes and had three factors, two rebounds, and an help. Going 1-2 taking pictures, there’s not a lot to evaluate from Melendez’s sport from his time on the courtroom. He took two journeys to the free throw line, going 1-3.

Melendez was charged with two fouls in his 18 minutes. The sophomore didn’t have many alternatives to contribute on offense as Illinois primarily ran by way of the three transfers on offense. Nonetheless, Melendez continued to point out improved vitality on the courtroom after going by way of a tough patch early within the season when his effort was questions by Underwood.

Sencire Harris: C

After taking part in for 11 minutes, Sencire Harris exited the sport within the second half after a Spartan fell on his knee. Harris was down on the ground in ache for a bit over a minute, but it surely was later up to date that he solely has a bruise. Harris didn’t document a single stat moreover a missed jumper.

Ty Rodgers: C

Like Sencire Harris, Ty Rodgers performed for little time and barely recorded any stats within the field rating. In eight minutes, Rodgers had only one defensive rebound and a missed bounce shot.