Sturdy's Oakland Review
By Brad Sturdy - Illini Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
November 11, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)
The Illini found a way to win an ugly affair on Friday evening in front of a sold-out State Farm Center, and may have answered a question about their identity. The Illini won 64-53 after holding Oakland scoreless on 11 straight possessions and Greg Kampe said post game, ‘They can really, really guard. They get after you.’
And that is going to have to be their identity at times this season. There is no question that they will have good and bad days on offense, but they have to play defense every day. Terrence Shannon scored 15 points to lead the way, but was also excellent on defense, limiting 3-point shooting star Jack Gohlke to 6 attempts. Quincy Guerrier got his first double-double as an Illini with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Coleman Hawkins rebounded from a slow start with an 8 point, 8 rebound and 5 assist stat line.
Here’s What we saw.
These 3 Things
Defense Rules - The Illini held Oakland to 0.85 PPP and after the initial 8-0 run, Oakland struggled...