Illinois’ continuous offensive struggles cost them their fourth straight loss. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights' sharp-shooting and stellar defense proved overwhelming for the short-handed Illini.
It wasn’t all bad for the Illini, however.
Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s loss.
Different starting lineup
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood decided to go with a smaller lineup Saturday afternoon. For the first time in his career, Giorgi Bezhanishvili started the game on the bench. Alan Griffin got the nod, starting in place of him against the Scarlet Knights.
Andres Feliz started in place of injured Ayo Dosunmu, as expected.
Griffin finished the night as the team’s leading scorer with 14 points, also grabbing six rebounds. Feliz finished the day with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Kofi Cockburn’s presence was felt
Kofi Cockburn made his presence felt today after struggling his previous five games. Cockburn was a problem in the paint for the Scarlet Knights, hauling in seven offensive rebounds. Cockburn ended the day with a double-double, recording 10 rebounds, 10 points, and three steals.
Something that won’t show up on the stat sheet were all the shots in the paint he contested. His seven-foot presence in the paint made it difficult for the Rutgers to make shots inside the paint.
Giorgi Bezhanishvili pulls out of slump
The Illini’s other big man Giorgi Bezhanishvili was able to pull out of his slump despite starting the game on the bench. Bezhanishvili did not play along the perimeter on the offensive end like he has been, as he primarily played down low in the paint against the Scarlet Knights.
Bezhanishvili may not have put up many points (six), but he was able to haul in seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Couldn’t buy a bucket
The Illini’s continuous offensive struggles have been the primary cause of their current four-game losing skid. During the losing streak, they have shot 36.3% from the field (via Twitter @DPiper247).
Tonight, they shot 19-61 (31.1%) from the field. Most notably, Junior guard Trent Frazier shot 2-12 from the field and 1-9 from beyond the arc.
If the Illini want to start winning games again, they will need to find a way to get their offense going. Shooting 31% from the field, especially in a league as competitive as the Big Ten, will not win a team games.
The Illini are at Penn State Tuesday at 6:30 EST.