Supinie: Should Illini freshmen get more PT?
MORE: Slow start dooms Illini in loss to Indiana
Illinois basketball fans have been clamoring for playing time for the freshmen, especially point guard Te'Jon Lucas, who many expected to make more of an impact this season.
Columnist John Supinie recently asked head coach John Groce if fans will get their wish to see more from Lucas and freshman forward Kipper Nichols. Both seemed to give the Illini more energy in the loss to Indiana on Saturday.
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CHAMPAIGN – The best quarterback is always the next one.
It probably works the same way with coaches, wives, cars and point guards. You always want the next one to be a little bit better.
As Illini fans headed into the season with some guarded optimism thanks in part to a lineup virtually intact from the previous season, the senior season of talented scorer Malcolm Hill and perhaps even the highly rated recruiting class, the Orange-and-Blue crowd were interested in the arrival of freshman guard Te’Jon Lucas from Milwaukee and transfer Kipper Nichols. Coaches talked them up prior to the season, after calling them valuable additions to the roster.
It left me with a question. Just how good does a freshman have to be to crack this lineup? Remember, this is a program that failed to reach the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive season. If it’s going anywhere, the new blood should be able to make immediate impact.
It’s not all that hard to remember when the Illini actually had freshmen who would not only play and contribute but star as a rookie. Cory Bradford, Brian Cook and D.J. Richardson were all named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and that’s not to overlook Kiwane Garris or Dee and Deron.
Against Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference home opener, Lucas failed to enter the game for the third time in a five-game span. With so many questions from fans, it became necessary to find out what’s going on with the freshmen.
They were forgotten men.
There might be a bit of conflict. Illinois fans want to see players develop for the future. Lucas and Nichols are expected to play key roles down the road for the Illini, so earning some playing time as freshmen would only enhance their development. Coach John Groce has more pressing concerns. He needs to win this season, so he’s probably interested in going with players with a longer track record in the program. Groce typically knows what he’s going to get.
Following the Big Ten Conference opener against Ohio State on New Year’s Day, I lobbed a question to Groce about the freshmen. Orangeandbluenews.com readers wanted to know. Groce said his lineup has developed to where it’s tough for a youngster to play his way into the lineup with so many experienced players already on the roster.
And the Illini had developed a rhythm while winning five of six games. Never mind the lone loss was a 25-point blowout loss that reminded everyone trouble is usually right around the corner.
“Te’Jon is playing well,’’ Groce said. “He’s getting better. He’s taking care of the ball better in practice. He’s been more consistent. He’s learned defense. It’s the same thing with Kipper, too. He’s getting better. We had an older team. We’re in a little bit of a rhythm. We have 16 Big Ten games left at this point. That’s some of it. They’ve got to be ready. ‘’
Against Ohio State, Groce went early with sophomore Aaron Jordan. Lucas never made it into the game. Jordan practiced well and matched up against the Buckeyes’ roster.
“He was the guy based on this game and the opponent,’’ Groce said. “We went with him first. I talked about strength in numbers concept. Mentally, you have to be ready. From a minutes perspective in playing the sixth, seven, eighth, ninth and 10th most minutes, that takes a certain mental toughness. Te’Jon has that I really believe in him. He’s a good player. Kipper is a good player. It’s more of a numbers game. By no means have I made a decision that this is solidified. Practice matters here. How we play in games, doing what we’re supposed to do matters here.
“He has to be ready to go. He’s an unbelievable kid and a big part of what we do now and moving forward.’’
The rhythm disappeared again when the Illini left home, falling behind 15-0 at Indiana in a 16-point loss. Suddenly, asking questions about Lucas and Nichols became more timely. Their teammates credited the freshmen as big reasons why Illinois cut the 22-point deficit at Indiana to nine with less the 6 minutes left. It was a game again because of Lucas and Nichols.
Illinois was better with a true point guard on the floor against the Hoosiers. Lucas played 15 minutes and finished a plus-eight on the plus-minus chart. Assuredly, he’s still a work in progress and must lock down more defensively, but the Orangeandvblue.com readers who wanted to see more of him will likely get their choice.
Nichols reminded everyone why people were so high on him defensively after watching preseason workouts and practice. Nichols can move his feet, and his athleticism allows him to guard more than one position.
“You appreciate the job Lucas and Nichols did off the bench, showing a bit more quickness and athleticism than the players seeing the floor in front of them,’’ Orangeandblue.com analyst Brad Sturdy wrote after the game. “You have to believe they game some playing time moving forward.’’
Fans aren’t the only ones who wanted to see more.
“I’m just real proud of certain people like Kipper and Te’Jon,’’ Hill said. “They haven’t been getting consistent playing time, and they never have a bad attitude. I know how it’s like. My freshman year, I wasn’t playing much. They’ve practiced hard even though it’s never guaranteed which games they will play in. When they got in there, they were really positive and productive. I’m proud of them for that. It’s real inspirational.’’
Illini fans wonder if Groce was inspired enough to include Lucas and Nichols in those changes he said would be coming after another blowout loss. That might be coach speak for let’s play the freshmen more, even if they’re not another Bradford, Cook, Garris, Dee or Deron.
John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.