OrangeandBlueNews – Player Grades: Illinois vs. Wisconsin

Jack Larson breaks down the participant grades from the Illinois win over Wisconsin on Saturday in Madison.

Terrence Shannon Jr.: D

Shannon by no means obtained comfy offensively. He picked up two early fouls and went to the bench, because the Illini offense struggled within the first. He performed 18 minutes within the second half however was ineffective with simply six factors on 2-5 taking pictures. Shannon compelled issues off the dribble and had six turnovers.

This was one among Shannon’s worst video games of the yr. Foul hassle held him to his lowest minute depend of the yr outdoors of the Monmouth recreation. He had an effectivity price of -1 and a defensive score of 131.8, the very best on the workforce. It simply wasn’t Shannon’s day.

Coleman Hawkins: B

Hawkins didn’t’ look to attain a lot. He took simply three photographs and completed with six factors. Hawkins was very lively on the glass, although, with 9 rebounds, and he was stable with the ball with zero turnovers.

The Illini protection largely shut down Wisconsin inside, and Hawkins was a significant contributor. His defensive score of 93.7 as a team-best, and he added two blocks. He was instrumental within the defensive effort within the second half that allowed Illinois to go on a 19-2 run.

Matthew Mayer: A+

The second half of basketball was the Matthew Mayer present, with the veteran going off for 18 factors on 6-11 taking pictures. He completed off with a profession excessive 26 factors and added six rebounds. His 5 3-point discipline objectives made was additionally a profession excessive.

Making 9-19 discipline objectives, Mayer carried Illinois on what was an in any other case inconsistent effort from the workforce offensively Going 5-11 from deep, Mayer was the most effective participant on the ground, and had an effectivity score of 23, the very best from both workforce.

Dain Dainja: B

Dainja’s post-up recreation was nearly all Illinois had going for it within the first half. He was a tough matchup for Wisconsin heart Steve Crowl. Main the Illini with eight factors within the first half, Dainja completed the sport with 9 factors, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

Like Hawkins, Dainja was efficient contesting photographs within the lane. His DRtg of 97.0 was second to Hawkins. With Mayer going off, Dainja didn’t try any photographs within the second half and Illinois stopped feeding the put up.

Jayden Epps: A-

Jayden Epps stepped up large for Illinois down the stretch, scoring 9 factors on 3-4 taking pictures within the second half. He was the one Illini apart from Mayer to achieve double figures with 13 factors, and he chipped in two rebounds and two assists.

Whereas he didn’t have an incredible first half, going 2-6 on discipline objectives, Epps confirmed up when it mattered and helped Illinois draw back. He slashed to the basket for 4 layups and knocked down a 3. He was additionally regular as a facilitator and had only one turnover in 34 minutes.

RJ Melendez: C

RJ Melendez’s chilly streak continued on this recreation with 1-6 taking pictures together with 0-4 from three. He had two factors and 4 defensive rebounds coming in 26 minutes of play. Melendez’s one basket was a posterizing dunk within the second half.

It proved to be a spark plug for the Illini. These are the forms of slashing performs we have to see from Melendez as he works by way of his taking pictures droop. He can’t simply accept lengthy jumpers. He has now went 5-36 on threes within the final 11 video games.

Sencire Harris: C

Sencire Harris performed for 9 minutes, lacking one bounce shot and grabbing two rebounds. One rebound coming off the offensive glass, Harris handed to Dain Dainja for an help, and two second likelihood factors. Additionally recording a foul and a turnover, Harris with a plus-minus of -1 and a defensive score of 118.2.

Ty Rodgers: C

Ty Rodgers performed for simply eight minutes and recorded only one defensive rebound. Lacking two free throws, Rodgers is now 5-18 from the road this season. He’s getting extra comfy and enjoying with higher tempo offensively, however nonetheless has a methods to go.

With the brand new laws permitting faculty athletes to earn cash off of their identify, picture and likeness (NIL), the world of faculty sports activities has modified without end. Past choosing the most effective program, the signing of a student-athlete may additionally be influenced by the NIL alternatives out there to them at every college.

The Illini Guardians NIL Collective was created particularly to satisfy that problem, present alternatives for College of Illinois student-athletes to present again to their neighborhood, and maintain the Preventing Illini aggressive on the sector, on the court docket, on the course, or wherever they take part of their sport.

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