Illinois Basketball: Recapping Terrence Shannon Jr’s Dominant Weekend

Illinois Basketball is your 2024 Big Ten Tournament Champions. What a weekend for the University of Illinois and its basketball program. The Illini faced substantial deficits in all three of their victories over the weekend. However, they showed incredible resolve and did not accept losing as an option. Brad Underwood and his squad received moments from every single player that got in the game. Dain Dainja had an incredible weekend off the bench and saved Illinois from a Friday evening loss vs Ohio State. Ty Rodgers played incredibly well in all three games. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Luke Goode hustled their butts off in their limited action.

However, the star of the show is Terrence Shannon Jr. Terrence brought his A+ game over the weekend and was absolutely dominant. Shannon Jr proved to the world that he is the best College basketball player out there.

All-American Performance and more.

Saying that Terrence Shannon Jr had a dominant weekend is a total understatement. Through the three games, the senior wing averaged 34 points. Though the circumstances are different, Ayo Dosunmu averaged 19 points per game during the 2021-2022 Big Ten Tournament weekend. Shannon Jr was a dominant force and never let up. Time after time when Illinois needed a bucket, Shannon Jr came through without a blink of an eye. The challenge for Terrence will be replicating this during the NCAA tournament. Teams will have him circled at the top of the scouting report and Shannon Jr has to be ready for a counter.

Luckily for Shannon Jr, he seems to have more of a capable team than Ayo Dosunmu ever did. Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins, Ty Rodgers, and even Dain Dainja have shown that they are a capable “number two” behind Shannon Jr. As Illinois plays Morehead State on Thursday, we hope that this string of strong performances continues.   

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Why the Wizards made the right hiring with HC Brian Keefe
Oilers rally from early deficit to beat Stars, tie WCF
Another masterpiece by Paul Skenes caps remarkable calendar year for rookie phenom
Bengals HC Zac Taylor addresses holdouts from pair of star receivers
Scott Boras makes telling comments on future of Yankees' Juan Soto
Star Arizona guard makes huge decision on NBA Draft status
Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka have opposite reactions to crowd following epic French Open match
Kyrie Irving praises Karl-Anthony Towns for overcoming 'unfair criticism' in Game 4
Watch: Minnesota wins inaugural PWHL Walter Cup
Mets outfielder reveals details of team meeting following latest lopsided loss
Mavericks provide notable status update on star rookie ahead of Game 5
Watch: Benches clear after Giants buzz Bryce Harper
Wizards make decision on their new head coach
Veteran sportscaster gives valuable insight into Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut
Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett addresses 'elephant in the room'
AEW owner stays quiet on potential interest in top WWE star
Donovan Mitchell's influence on Cavaliers listed among 'most powerful' in the NBA
Clippers 'determined' to keep these two star free agents
AEW sustains another major injury blow after Double or Nothing
Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla offers update on Kristaps Porzingis ahead of NBA Finals