The University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana’s Men’s Basketball team continues to have an up-and-down start to the season. According to ESPN.com the Fighting Illini started the season off ranked 25th in the AP Top 25 preseason rankings, one of the three Big Ten teams to make the list. Many believed that the Fighting Illini wouldn’t make the cut after a rough March Madness appearance, taking a disappointing loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round.
According to ESPN.com the Illini started the season off very strong going 8-2 through the first 10 games with their only losses to AP preseason ranked #5 Marquette and #9 Tennessee. The season is looking very promising, especially starting the season 7-3 in conference play. They currently stand 16-5 (7-3) and ranked 14 in the AP Poll. The Illini have ten regular season games left with all being conference games as they are at home for six of the ten games.
Illinois has always had setbacks and roadblocks during any given season. Such as a lack of tournament experience, limited star power, and poor three-point shooting with a lack of team chemistry. But this year the Fighting Illini was faced with a heartbreaking discovery that could affect the outcome of the season. According to CBSSports.com Illini star player Terrance Shannon Jr. was convicted of alleged rape in the state of Kansas. This suspended Shannon for six games from any type of team activities, especially playing in games.
This hurt the hearts of all Illini fans. As many expected the Fighting Illini to start losing games without their star player. But with this setback, other role players had the opportunity to take charge. Graduate student and Forward Marcus Domask has taken the college basketball season by storm. Averaging 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. Another player who has grasped a leadership position is senior center Colemen Hawkins. Hawkins is averaging 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
In Shannon’s first game back, he made 16 points in an 86-63 victory over Rutgers. According to ESPN.com Shannon is averaging 15.7 points per game in his first four games back from being suspended. Shannon showed he was back to his old self scoring a whopping 23 points against conference foe Ohio St. on January 30th. Overall, Shannon is averaging 20 points a game.
The Fighting Illini look to finish the season in the AP Poll top ten and finish top three in the BigTen conference. Illini fans are hoping that on March 12 the Illini will be a top 5 seed going into the March Madness Tournament.
