Beat writer SCOTT RICHEY took another look at Illinois’ 71-67 loss on Saturday afternoon at Penn State. Five things that caught his eye:
ONE AND DONE
Illinois’ “flow-game” offense is predicated on pick-and-roll, pick-and-pop and dribble-handoff action. So a Princeton offense riff stands out. Penn State’s Payton Banks overplayed Malcolm Hill high on the wing early in the first half. Hill back cut, Jaylon Tate hit him on his way to the basket and Hill finished with an easy layup. Simple. Well-executed. And the only one.
WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING...
The Illini offense didn’t get much traction toward the basket in first-half possessions until late in the shot clock.