Jan. 12—Kasparas Jakucionis’ extended absence (two games and counting, perhaps) has shuffled Illinois’ rotation. Not extended it, but certainly changed it, with Will Riley moving into the starting lineup.
What hasn’t changed, however, is the production the Illini are getting off the bench. Even in Saturday’s loss to USC.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn made a pair of three-pointers (the only makes from deep by an Illinois guard) and finished with 11 points. Jake Davis also hit a three-pointer and added nine points and three rebounds. And while Morez Johnson Jr. didn’t do much scoring, the freshman big man had eight rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes of playing time.
“Everybody has got a job to do, and those guys are becoming very defined in what that role is,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “The way we ended the half was sensational, and those guys gave us a great burst. … There’s comfort that we have with (Jakucionis) all the time, and I thought we got a little rattled, a little out of sorts, without him. The bench guys did their job.”
