ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Illinois’ trio of freshmen guards are earning Brad Underwood’s trust.
Da’Monte Williams for making hustle plays, doing everything and doing it well. Trent Frazier for bringing the type of swagger the first-year coach wants for his team. The Illini offense, Underwood said, is running more effectively of late when those two are on the court.
That’s where the third freshman guard is earning Underwood’s trust.
Mark Smith may not be a “point guard” in name, but his ability to fill that role — initiate and thrive in the Illinois offense even if he’s not the player always advancing the ball up the court in typical point guard fashion — is something Underwood said the Edwardsville native, The News-Gazette’s All-State Player of the Year and 2017 Illinois Mr.