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Illinois Basketball: 3 Observations From the VCU Victory

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:14 p.m. ET

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Dec 9, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) smiles after a foul by Yale Bulldogs forward Justin Sears (22) at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Yale 69 to 65. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

The Illinois basketball team played well against the VCU Rams and came away with a huge victory.

This was a much-needed win for the Illini.  VCU is a good team and this helped Illinois move one step closer to the postseason.

Here are three observations from the VCU victory.

John Groce Is Digging Himself Out

Illinois started this season off the way most fans were hoping.  They advanced to 4-0 after a 20-point blowout over Detroit.

Things were looking great in the next game as well.  The Illini were up 10-points with roughly three minutes to go against Winthrop.

At that point, the Illini collapsed and lost against the Eagles in overtime.  This was the start of an ugly slide for Illinois.

The Illini dropped that game against Winthrop and then got blown out against No. 19 West Virginia in the next game.

Illinois followed up the loss to the Mountaineers by losing to Florida State, 72-61. That game was tied halfway through the second half before Illinois eventually faded away.

John Groce really dug himself a hole this season with that three-game losing streak.  This program had no margin for error but it seemed like things were crumbling just seven games into the season.

But, it looks like Groce might be digging himself out of that hole.  He followed the three-game losing streak up with a big 14-point win over North Carolina State and then last night beat VCU by 18-points.

Not only has he started to dig himself out, but in previous articles I have mentioned that it would take a miracle for Groce to get back into my good graces and he is on his way.

If Illinois can finish the non-conference 10-3, then I think he will have dug himself out and filled in the hole.

Nov 25, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) fight for the ball with Florida State Seminoles guard CJ Walker (2) during the second half of the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Barclays Center. Florida State won, 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Leron Black…Wow

Throughout his time with the Illini, Leron Black has been one of the most interesting players to watch.

Illinois fans have seen him dominate games with his high intensity and strength, but we have also witnessed his short temper on the court and his misguided moves off the court.

But, this season something seems different with Black.  There is a sense of calm to his crazy.

Since returning from his six-game suspension, which only ended up being four regular season games, Black has been an absolute beast on the basketball court.

Black has averaged 23.2 minutes per game since his return and he has taken advantage of every second.

In the minutes he has received, Black is averaging 12.8 points and is pulling down 8 rebounds per game.

This is a more disciplined Black as well.  In years past he would be too physical down low and get into foul trouble too early in the game.

Black would also get into players faces and really do things on the court that would take away from the basketball game.

But, this season, Black has pulled back the reins on the negative crazy and really honed his skills and anger toward the game of basketball.  This has enabled him to be a dominate player on the court.

I have also noticed Black continued to develop his shot and is knocking down some mid-range jumpers, which is nice to see.   I can’t wait to see him continue to develop.

Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Te’Jon Still Needs More Minutes

I know that Illinois won the game on Saturday and Te’Jon Lucas only received a total of 5 minutes, but I still think he needs to see the floor more.

The victory was great over VCU.  Illinois won by 18-points and the team moved to 6-3 on the season.

I hope they continue to win in the future and eventually make the NCAA Tournament, but I am afraid that the Jaylon Tate love is going to cost us again.

The lineup right now is perfectly fine to start the game.  Tracy Abrams is a good point guard who, after four games, has really picked up where he left off two years ago.

Abrams can do everything on the basketball court.  He can pass the ball, rebound and score when he wants to.  This is exactly what the Illini need.

But, coming off the bench, Illinois needs a player who can continue scoring and that is not Tate.

Tate managed to play 17 minutes yesterday and only scored 3 points.  That isn’t the type or production I want coming off the bench for the Illini.

Lucas is going to need more than 5 minutes off the bench.  He needs to be in the second rotation with Michael Finke and Aaron Jordan.

Illinois won this game and it was a good win, but VCU did only shoot 30.2-percent from the field and 11.1-percent from the three-point stripe.  That won’t happen in every game.

I love a good win and that is what happened on Saturday against VCU, but Groce still needs to play Lucas as the No. 2 point guard.

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