Jan. 3—Beat writer Scott Richey’s rundown from Eugene, Ore., where the Illini ran the Ducks off the court:
Player of the game
Illinois forward Ben Humrichous
Let’s be honest. Six different Illini made a compelling case as Thursday’s best. Few needed the type of performance they put up against Oregon as much as Humrichous. The 6-foot-9 forward didn’t just knock down 4 of 7 three-pointers, which was his best showing since early November. He also flashed some skill in the mid-post and ripped a voracious one-handed dunk in the first half. The three-pointers, though, they were important. Shooter’s shoot — and Humrichous kept shooting through his struggles — but seeing four go down against a top 10 team on the road has value.
Backcourt
Illinois: A+
Oregon: C-
The Illini built their first-half lead with leading scorer Kasparas Jakucionis on the bench with zero points and a single assist. That Jakucionis finished with 16 points, six assists and six rebounds was another notch in his “can definitely take over games” belt. Tre White’s double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds and 15 points from Kylan Boswell was tough for Oregon to match. (Spoiler alert: The Ducks couldn’t. Jackson Shelstad’s nine points on 11 shots was as good as it got).
Frontcourt
Illinois: A
Oregon: B+
Humrichous’ breakout performance was key. It also let a fairly quiet eight points and eight rebounds from Tomislav Ivisic and strong defense off the bench and not a whole lot more from Morez Johnson Jr. be enough. This was one area Oregon could keep up. Supreme Cook dropped 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting off the bench, and Nate Bittle and Kwame Evans Jr. joined him in double figures.
Bench
Illinois: A+
Oregon: A
The start of the game was a bit disjointed for Illinois. Shots weren’t falling. Oregon was building a small early lead. Then Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Jake Davis checked in, caught fire and wound up with 23 combined points in the first half. It was a difference maker. Those two set the tone. The Ducks’ bench was equally as productive, but that group wasn’t able to change the game like the Illini’s did.
Overall
Illinois: A
Oregon: C+
It’s not that the Ducks were bad. They had their moments. They were just clearly not as good as the Illini. Illinois has put together some stellar performances in the Brad Underwood era. What the Illini did Thursday night has to rank among the best because of who they beat (a top 10 team) and where they did it (a true road game). A win like that puts Illinois firmly in the “watch out for those guys” conversation nationally.
