Advertisement

Where the Illini stand heading to Boston

Scott Richey, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·2 min read

Mar. 27—Illinois left for Boston on Tuesday afternoon with a late-night Sweet 16 matchup against Iowa State set for Thursday. Beat writer Scott Richey spotlights the five Illini starters heading into the program's first Sweet 16 in nearly two decades:

➜ Terrence Shannon Jr. ... is borderline unstoppable. The veteran Illinois guard keeps narrowing the gap on national scoring leader Zach Edey, which isn't an easy task with the Purdue center equally as dominant. Shannon put up 28 points per game in the first two rounds, including his seventh 30-point game of the season against Duquesne, and is averaging 31.6 points in postseason play. Efficiently, too. He's shooting 53 percent from the field overall (lots of layups), 42 percent from three-point range and 88 percent at the free-throw line.

➜ Marcus Domask is ... clearly not fazed by the moment. You'd never guess the Illinois guard is playing in his first NCAA tournament. The Southern Illinois transfer was loose in the run-up to both games in Omaha, Neb., last week — Ty Rodgers the target of a couple playful jabs — and then showed why he was a First Team All-Big Ten pick with his performance on the court. Domask posted the 10th official triple-double in March Madness history against Morehead State and a 22-point game against Duquesne.

➜ Ty Rodgers is ... still the consummate teammate, continuing to fill whatever role is asked of him. Even if that meant less playing time against Morehead State during Dain Dainja's second-half takeover. Rodgers had just two points in two games in Omaha, Neb., but he's not all that far removed from a double-double (and nearly two) in the Big Ten tournament. The directive for Rodgers as the NCAA tournament continues is clear — keep rebounding, finish easy looks around the rim and defend.

➜ Quincy Guerrier is ... enjoying this NCAA tournament more than his last because that one included not leaving Indianapolis for weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bubble wasn't a blast. Guerrier's run with Syracuse in 2021 ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Houston. He's hoping for more this year. Guerrier helped the Illini reach the second weekend with 10 points and six rebounds against Duquesne where he showed the type of physicality and offensive assertiveness that was a January constant.

➜ Coleman Hawkins is ... following up a decent showing in the Big Ten tournament (he thought he could do more) by doing more in the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-10 forward put his full versatility on display against Morehead State and Duquesne averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists, while shooting 50 percent from three-point range. That type of all-around production, coupled with that level of shooting efficiency, could make the Illini a tough out in Boston no matter the opponent.