CHAMPAIGN — The first preseason test for Illinois basketball wasn’t all that difficult, but the experienced part of the new-look Illini roster certainly passed the eye test. Nine Illinois players scored at least eight points to dominate Ottawa 116-65 in an exhibition at State Farm Center on Friday.
Terrence Shannon led seven Illinois players in double figures with 18 points in 15 minutes on 6-for-9 shooting. Coleman Hawkins added 10 points (4-5 FG), five rebounds and five steals in 16 minutes, while Luke Goode scored 11 points, making 3 of 10 from three.
The Illini shot 58% from the field, including 14-for-42 (33.3%) from three, while holding Ottawa, an NAIA team, to 37% shooting. Illinois out-rebounded Ottawa 59-22, scored 23 points of 16 Ottawa turnovers and outscored Ottawa on fastbreak points 36-4
Three transfers made their debuts for Illinois. Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask, who started, filled the box score with eight points, six rebounds and a team-high six assists. Utah Valley transfer guard Justin Harmon had 11 points (3-4 FG) off the bench, while Oregon transfer forward Quincy Guerrier added 10 points (1-5 from three) off the bench.
Two freshmen made their debuts as well for Illinois. Amani Hansberry had 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn added 15 points (6-10 FG) off the bench.
Illinois took a double-digit lead within the first four minutes, sparked by eight points and two 3-pointers from Luke Goode. The Illini then went on a 29-7 run to take a commanding 59-30 lead into halftime. The Illini began the second half on a 17-0 run to pen up a 76-30 lead.
Underwood then unloaded his bench, which led to some up-and-down play from his younger players during the final 15 minutes.
What it means: No grand takeaways should be lifted from an exhibition game against an overmatched NAIA opponent. Illinois will still need to prove against high-caliber opponents that its point guard play and shooting won’t limit their potential in the Big Ten or in the NCAA Tournament. But the Illini certainly looked like a deeper and more mature team than last season and potentially one that can be steadier because of those traits. But we’ll learn a lot more about Illinois on Oct. 29 when the No. 1 team in the country comes to town for a final preseason tuneup.
Star of the game: Shannon was the best talent on the floor, but Marcus Domask is going to be a Brad Underwood favorite — and already may be. The 6-foot-6 Southern Illinois transfer provided steady production and filled the box score, but he most importantly made his teammates better. Domask sprayed the ball around to his teammates, was aggressive on the glass to prolong possessions and hit open shots. He just doesn’t make many mistakes and is super skilled.
Stat of the game: Illinois had 26 assists on 45 made field goals with eight Illini dishing multiple assists: Domask (6), Ty Rodgers (3), Gibbs-Lawhorn (3), Hawkins (2), Shannon (2), Goode (2), Sencire Harris (2) and Niccolo Moretti (2).
One negative, Illinois attempted 42 three-point attempts (7-for-25 in the second half) and shot just 12-for-22 from the free throw line.
Don’t overlook: Amani Hansberry‘s effort on the glass was notable. The freshman was known as a junkyard dog on the AAU circuit, and he looks like he could make an impact on this team in spot minutes this season if he continues to give that effort on the glass.
What’s next: Illinois hosts No. 1-ranked Kansas at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at State Farm Center for a charity exhibition that will benefit Maui wildfire relief efforts. The game will mark the return to Champaign of Bill Self, who coached Illinois from 2000-03. Self led the Illini to back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2001 and 2002 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2001. He also recruited most of the 2004-05 roster that earned a national runner-up finish. Over 20 seasons in Lawrence, Self has led Kansas to two national championships and 17 Big 12 regular-season titles. The Jayhawks are led by Michigan transfer center Hunter Dickinson, who is 0-4 all-time against Illinois.
