Brad Underwood praises Johnson Jr. and Jakucionis in Braggin’ Rights win

Underwood discusses the Impact of 2 Key Freshman for Illinois Basketball

G – Kasparus Jakucionis

Braggin Right’s Stats: 21 points (45.4%), 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 42.9 3-pt% – Game-winning shot with 28 seconds remaining.

Season Totals (Thus Far): 16.6 PPG-Avg, 5.7 RPG-Avg, 5.5 APG-Avg, 46.8 FG%-Avg

Derek Piper of Illini inquirer asked Brad Underwood about Kasparas Jakucionis‘s impact on critical moments, including the freshman’s beautiful game-winning fade way jumper to give Illinois Basketball an 80-77 lead in the final moments (28 sec) of Braggin Right’s. According to Underwood, the Lithuanian native’s grit may be the most impressive part of the true freshman’s game.

“It’s just different. It’s just different to be able to do that.” boasted Underwood.

“Ayo (Dosunmu) got to that point. Ayo wasn’t that way as a Freshman, but he got to that point. Trent (Frazier) got to that point, where you just want the ball. You’re not afraid of the moment, you don’t fear failure, you go to the gym at midnight after you get beat by the number one team in the country, and you stay until two. You put in 42oo shots on the Noah system that we have in our gym, in a week… when it’s finals week. Oh, and by the way, he’s a 4.0 student. So, when you’re doing all of that stuff, you tend to gain some confidence, and he’s got a confidence and a swagger that’s, “not afraid to fail.” 

“That allows him to be really good in those moments,” Underwood furthermore states in regard to his game-winning fadeaway jumper.

Certainly, high praise from the Illini head coach, for the projected future lottery pick.

F – Morez Johnson Jr.

Bragging Right’s Stats: 6 points (75%), 8 rebounds (5 Offensive)

Season Totals (Thus Far): 4.7 PPG-Avg, 6.4 RPG-Avg, 57.6 FG%-Avg

Being a big man in the Big Ten is a tough challenge, and stepping into heavy minutes as a true freshman is no easy task. Yet Chicago native Morez Johnson Jr. has not only embraced the role but has also proven himself as a vocal leader for Illinois Basketball.

“I thought Morez was fantastic, thought it was his best game of the year. He had four offensive rebounds in the first half. His energy was impactful, his physicality was impactful.”

Brad Underwood also stated, ” We’re not asking him to do too much. He’s got great quickness, he’s very quick off the floor, and then he’s 260 pounds….. you combine that, and his growth on that end (defensive) has been remarkable. The other thing that makes Morez great, is he is an unbelievable communicator. He never stops talking. Our defense picks up with him in the game, simply because of the energy he brings with his talk. That’s very impressive for a freshman.”  

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