Malcolm Hill Shines Bright for the Illini

By: Grant Labedz, https://twitter.com/thegrocereport

Malcolm Hill knows how much his game has improved since the first day he stepped on campus. In Illinois’ last game, an upset win over the #9 Terrapins at home, Hill dropped a career-high 28 points and led his team to a much needed victory. What may have been the most impressive aspect of his performance was his ability to step up with an injured Rayvonte Rice and deliver as a leader through his play on both ends of the floor.

When Rice went down with a broken wrist two days prior to Illinois’ home match up verses Maryland, Illinois’ season did not look to promising. Illinois loses Rice for anywhere to 3-6 weeks, and subsequently, it loses its leading scorer. A team that had been struggling to find itself both on the offensive and defensive end turned to Hill for an answer, and he surely delivered.

Hidden under the impressive play of Rayvonte Rice has been a newly improved Malcolm Hill that has been the X-factor for this Illinois team day-in and day-out. Hill is averaging 14.0 points per game after just 4.4 his freshman season. His three point percentage is up nearly 10% from last year, and halfway through this season, he has already surpassed his rebounding mark for all of last year.

What’s the secret for Malcolm Hill who has served as the rock behind Rice all season long and now is filling the role as this team’s go-to guy? Malcolm Hill put on twenty pounds during the off season which undoubtedly has helped him muscle inside with bigger players and pull down more rebounds, but Hill cites confidence as the reason he’s improved so much.

I was a little more immature last year, and I’ve got a year under my belt this year,”  said Hill at the beginning of the season. Certainly freshman nerves may have haunted Hill for most of his first season. Playing under the bright lights and pressure of the Big Ten is a daunting task for a teenager, but Hill has certainly learned from his play as a freshman and figured out what needs to be done for his team to win.

Hill has been sneaky good all year long. Despite a few poor performances (Oregon, Ohio State), Hill has pulled his weight and been tough and physical especially in the big match ups against the tough teams. Hill dropped 17 against Baylor, 28 against Maryland, 19 against Michigan, 20 against Villanova, and 13 against Miami, despite losing some of those games. What’s promising is that Hill has proved thus far that he can compete with the big dogs. Often times we Illinois fans judge a player based on how he performs in the games against the mid-major opponents when real character is defined in these big match ups. Malcolm Hill is a big time player, and he is the go-to in a big time game.

The good news is that Malcolm is only a sophomore, and he’s got promising talent in Kendrick Nunn playing right beside him. If Hill can assume this leadership both offensively and defensively that he has embraced so well, then he can lead this Illinois team to an NCAA tournament this season and for more to come. So let’s have some faith in Groce and Malcolm and let this team do what they do best.

I-L-L

Troubles for Illinois: What Needs to be Done to Beat Ohio St. on Saturday

By: Grant Labedz

No Illinois fan can deny that this season is quickly becoming worrisome.

Not only did the Illini lose to a struggling Michigan team on the road on Tuesday, but they blew a commanding 13 point lead to do so. That needs to change if Illinois wants any shot at making the tournament. As Illini fans, we know that we’re not going to win the National Championship. This is not the 2004-05 Fighting Illini squad, and we know that. But as Illinois fans, we look for John Groce to rebuild this program and eventually bring Illinois back into title contention, but another frustrating season looks as if it may leave Illinois with another NIT bid.

John Groce can certainly talk the talk, but the question is whether or not he can walk the walk. John Groce has repeatedly stated that this Illini team “hasn’t played its best basketball yet.” And that was a promising thing to hear after the second game of the season, a 114-56 rout of Coppin St. at home. But hearing that at this point in the season is leaving fans impatient. If Illinois hasn’t played its best basketball yet, then when are they going to start, and how can John Groce make that happen in order to avoid being situated on the ‘hot seat’?

For one, this team needs to learn how to win. Look back at the 2004-05 Fighting Illini. That team knew how to win. Losing one regular season game and the National Title Game, that team had grit and finished games like no other. The talent on this year’s team isn’t what it was 10 years ago, but that being said, they surely have enough talent to be one of the best teams in the nation. When everything comes together for Illinois, they’re one of the best teams in the nation and can compete with everyone, but Groce’s squad merely competes and doesn’t win.

In all four losses this season, this team has had a legitimate chance to win. In games against Villanova and Miami, the Illini trailed most of the time, but when they climbed right back into the game, they just ran out of gas. But why? What is it about this squad that leaves us so disappointed when we see key victories slip out of our hands? Surely it isn’t lack of leadership. This team has three seniors who Groce compliments for being vocal on and off the court. It can’t be talent, because Groce and most Illini fans agree this is one of the deepest Illinois teams in a number of year. So what needs to happen?

In this Ohio State game on Saturday, the Illini need to play each possession, offensive and defensive, regardless of the score. Illinois could be up 50 or down by 50, and the only way they’re going to succeed consistently is if they play each possession the same way. Fierce. Frisky. Smart. Tough. Together. Toughness and Togetherness are the two core principles that Groce preaches to his teams, and I haven’t seen a lot of that this year. Sure the Illini show up against weaker opponents, but this is the Big Ten. It’s time to step up.

The Buckeyes fall into a similar boat as the Illini. The Buckeyes have not recorded a good win this season and just dropped a difficult home game to the Hawkeyes in which they trailed the whole way. Thad Matta’s squad finds itself a top 25 team, but its best win is over a weak Marquette team. The Illini are more than capable of handing Ohio State a loss on Saturday. There is no doubt in my mind that the Illini have as much, if not more talent than this Buckeye team. Ohio State is led by freshman D’Angelo Russell with 17.4 points per game, but senior Rayvonte Rice can play with him if he shows up. He only logged 8 points against Michigan and went cold late in the game.

If the Illini show up for 40 minutes tomorrow, they will win this game, and this is a game they need to win. Even If they get off to a hot start and lead by double digits, don’t turn the TV off, because the Illini have blown a few leads this season already. Let’s have some faith in Groce (fingers crossed), and get this win tomorrow.

I-L-L

Prediction: Illinois 73 Ohio St. 70

Follow us on twitter @thegrocereport

Will Aaron Cosby and Ahmad Starks Find their Touch?

By Grant Labedz

When transfers Ahmad Starks and Aaron Cosby took the floor for the first time for the Fighting Illini, there were high hopes for the 2014-15 season.

Starks, the transfer from Oregon St, was out to prove that he could fill the shooting void that Abrams has lacked at the point guard position over the past few seasons.  He came into Illinois leading Oregon St. all time in three point field goals made. Aaron Cosby transferred from Seton Hall after shooting 40% from three-point range in the 2012-13 season.

With these additions, it seemed as if the Illini finally had found a couple of players who could shoot the ball, giving then depth and proficient scoring ability. At the start, these two were nothing but solid. Through their first four games, each had reached double digits 3 times and had set a season high 18 points in one contest. In a game against Coppin St, Cosby hit 5 three pointers and Starks added 4 himself.

But as competition got tougher, these two hit a wall and left Illinois looking like it’s struggling self that we are all too familiar with. In Illinois’ three losses (Miami,  Villanova, Oregon) Cosby shot an overall 3/27 from the field while Starks shot a mere 5/21. Combined, they shot 6/29 from three point range. This leaves only 2 two point field goals by these two players. In these three games, neither one of these players even attempted a free throw, begging the question as to whether or not they were taking too many jump shots. The two pivotal players that have given the Illini depth and scoring ability in the early going have fallen utterly flat when the Illini needed them most. So now, the question is: how do we get them back on track?

Coach Groce tried benching Cosby just to change things up and inserted Kendrick Nunn into the starting lineup. The change has been good for Kendrick who had a season high 16 points against Hampton, but Cosby continues to struggle. He’s shot 2/8 in his last two games (Hampton, Missouri), so maybe benching these players isn’t the best option. We need scorers, and the only way to get these two their touch back is to let them work their way out.

But maybe the best way to get these two going from long range again would be to let them get some confidence boosting, easier buckets. We saw glimpses of this strategy paying dividends in the annual Braggin’ Rights Game against Missouri. The Illini escaped the upset-minded Tigers by a narrow, three point margin courtesy of a Rice buzzer beater 3, but Starks was a key contributor to the win not for his jump shot, but for his ability to get to the hoop. Starks shot just 1/7 from 3 but went 5/6 inside the arc. He got to the hoop and hit some floaters to finish with 13 and give the Illini a positive boost. Though Cosby was cold from the field (1/4, 2 points), he found a way to make an impact In the game positively. He pulled in a team high 7 rebounds and gave the Illini a boost with his defensive effort.

Though it may not show up on the stat sheets, I do believe that Groce has Starks and Cosby going in the right direction. He’s got them playing hard and long in order to make some sort of an impact on the game knowing that their shots will come. Quite frankly, I don’t mind seeing Cosby and Starks cold at this time of the year given Illinois’ recent history in Big Ten play. If cold shooting now means quick recovery and a hot start to the Big Ten season, then I’m not too upset. But if the shooting woes continue, the Illini could run in to some issues. Starks and Cosby know what they need to do, and all we can do is sit back and hope they are on the road to getting back on track. Let’s see the Illini that were ranked #1 in the nation for scoring erupt come Big Ten play. These two have what it takes, they just need to overcome this slump and get this team back on track.

Check us out on twitter @thegrocereport

Kendrick Nunn, Illinois take down Hampton

By: Grant Labedz

After strong shooting and a solid overall effort on the floor, the Illini rolled to a 73-55 win at the State Farm Center Wednesday night against Hampton. They (8-3) recovered nicely from previous shooting woes to go 42% from the field and 43% from 3 point range. Illinois capitalized nicely on trips to the charity stripe connecting on 22 of 26 (85%). A solid defensive effort by the Illini held the Hampton Pirates to 35% from the field and a pathetic 22% from the free throw line. This was certainly a good tune-up game for the Illini heading into the famous Braggin’ Rights Game against Missouri on Saturday.

Kendrick Nunn continued to show the us why he deserves to be in the starting lineup, logging 16 points for Illiniois on 6/9 shooting from the field with 4 three pointers. Also in double figures were Rayvonte Rice (12) and Nnanna Egwu (10). Leron Black had an impressive showing with 10 rebounds, and the Illini rolled by the Hampton Pirates (4-6) who were led by Deron Powers and Dwight Meikle who each logged 12 points.

Obviously a win over Hampton doesn’t tell us much as to how Illinois will respond with bigger tests down the road, but any win is good, and the Illini will continue to improve before conference play. A season high 16 turnovers isn’t favorable, especially against an opponent like Hampton, so the Illini will certainly need to be tighter with the ball. Overall, ball movement was good, defense was good, and Kendrick Nunn was good. Look for him to do some damage against bigger and better teams as he begins logging more and more playing time.

The Illini take on a struggling Missouri team this Saturday and then finishes off the non-conference schedule at home against Kennesaw St. Until then, have faith in Groce, and keep on keeping on Illini Nation. I-L-L

TNT Player of the Game: Kendrick Nunn: 16 points, (4 of 6 from three), 4 rebounds

Follow us on Twitter @thegrocereport for updates and live posts!

The Egwu Enigma

By Graham Hooten

Ask any given Illini basketball fan and they’re sure to have a strong opinion on senior forward Nnanna Egwu. In his fourth and final year at University of Illinois, Egwu has garnered more than his fair share of critics for not reaching what they believe to be his raw potential as a basketball player. In fact, he has at times become the scapegoat for many of the team’s weaknesses, particularily on the offensive side of the ball. Yet while the flaws in his game are evident, many people fail to look at the big picture when it comes to the 6-11 St. Ignatius graduate and what he brings to the program.

When Egwu committed to Illinois as a junior in high school, he had only been playing basketball for a little more than 3 years. Born in Nigeria, he picked up the game in 7th grade and quickly improved to become one of the consensus top 100 prospects in America. His tall build and prolific shot blocking ability landed him an offer from then-coach Bruce Weber to play in Champaign and to become a focal point of the coach’s signature man-to-man defense.

But after Weber’s departure, which culminated in the hiring of John Groce, Egwu’s role began to change. As a freshman under Weber, he had backed up now NBA center Meyers Leonard and as a result spent most of his time on the bench. But with Leonard declaring for the draft and Groce now at the helm, Nnanna’s presence in the court was needed more than ever. He responded by posting 6.5 PPG and 4.9 Rebs his sophomore year, a slightly underwhelming stat line considering he had averaged 25.4 minutes per game.

Come junior year his offense was much of the same, averaging 6.9 PPG and 6.0 Rebs in a season that ended with a second round loss in the NIT. But defensively, he was much improved. In 2013-2014, he averaged 2.1 blocks along with a career high 29.7 minutes, which would land him a spot on Jay Bilas’ 2014-2015 Pre-Season All-American Defensive Team, an honor not to be taken lightly.

Coming into this year, Egwu was expected to be a leader, and for all intensive purposes, he has become one. He was elected one of three team captains to start the year and with the absence of injured PG Tracy Abrams, has become the only four year player on the court that has played all of his seasons at Illinois. While his post game remains flawed, his perimeter shooting has improved including having shot 40% from three point range this season.

One of the biggest complaints about his game comes from him constantly trolling outside the paint and not getting to the bucket when needed. But in a four guard offense, his ability to play the pick-and-roll has dictated much of his game. Rather than camping by the hoop, Coach Groce uses Egwu for screens and to create open shots for the rest of the team. At times this means sacrificing his own shots for those of his teammates.

A key area of his game that does need to improve is his rebounding. While his tall, thin build is not ideal for somebody who seeks to command the post, his positioning on the glass can still use work and allow him to be more effective on both sides of the ball. He has struggled at times early in the season to get those boards, but has begun to turn it around. An example is Tuesday’s game against Villanova in which he had 8 points and 9 Rebs against a tough Wildcats frontcourt.

Yet however much he has or hasn’t he has lived up to expectations, nobody has ever questioned #32’s effort. During the Media Day in October, Egwu gave perhaps the most quoted statement of the offseason. When asked about his prospect for this year’s season he said:

“I want to be sitting down in April saying, ‘I’m exhausted. I really gave everything I had to this university, to this program.’ And that I can’t look back and say, ‘Man I wish I did this differently. I wish I gave more in this game, I wish I gave more in this practice.’ I want to look back and say, ‘That’s all I had Illinois. This is all I had. That’s what I gave.”

And Illini fans, that is all you can ask for.

Illini Will Face Tough Test Against #7 Villanova

For Malcom Hill and the rest of the Illini, Tuesday night will just be another game. While a marquee matchup at Madison Square Garden against one of the top 10 teams in the nation may on the surface seem daunting, the team has focused on treating it like they would any other game, with confidence and preparation.

“I’m just gonna treat it as another game.” said Hill on Monday. “I don’t wanna let my emotions get the best of me and play too hard and get too excited.”

Hill, who is averaging 13.9 PPG will be an key factor against #7 Villanova. His ability to shoot the jump shot was well as penetrate the paint will be important against a physical Wildcats team that is giving up only 55.8 PPG in the early part of the season. What gives that statistic more credibility are their two wins over ranked teams, #14 VCU and #19 Michigan, in which they held their opponents to 53 and 55 points, respectively.

Like Illinois, Villanova plays four guards, a testament to their ability to move and shoot the ball. Their leading scorer Dylan Ennis is averaging 12.3 PPG and will likely face up against Hill. However, Ennis is only one of the Wildcats weapons that the Illini will be concerned about stopping. They have lots of variation in scoring, with seven players averaging at least 7.5 PPG.

“They had a lot of scorers.” Hill said. “They share the ball as a team. They don’t have just one guy who can score the ball, they can all score the ball and I think that they share it really well.”

The Illini are coming off of a 70-55 win against American University. The game marked a buffer in a tough stretch of the season in which the Illini played at #15 Miami and now in New York against #7 Villanova.

Look for them to get going early as they have struggled in the first half against tougher teams. Nnanna Egwu will need to play well and make his presence know in order to give Illinois an inside advantage. Let’s get this win!

Prediction: Villanova 65-61