This Illinois Basketball Player Just Won Big Ten Player of the Week

Marcus Domask has put together phenomenal back-to-back games for Illinois Basketball.

It appears as though his performances have not gone unnoticed as he has been crowned Big Ten Player of the Week. Domask has turned a corner after his mini-drought following his explosion against FAU. Against Northwestern and Purdue specifically, Domask has been a superstar for Illinois Basketball. He has averaged 29 points, 5.5 assists, and 4 rebounds in those two games.

Much of the scoring in those games for Domask has come from the mid-range. He has been playing “booty ball” and enjoying favorable matchups. Ever since Terrence Shannon Jr was suspended, Illinois has run its offense through Marcus Domask. His efficiency is through the roof, and he has his confidence back in full. Domask’s shot looks smooth, even if his dribble still isn’t great for a primary ball-handler. Illinois will take a few turnovers of the basketball if he continues to create offense like this.

While this is an individual award, the entire Illinois Basketball squad deserves some credit for giving Domask space on the floor. Hawkins, Guerrier, and Harmon are putting so much pressure on defenses with their ability to shoot the ball from deep. This has freed up the mid-range for Domask to back down smaller defenders and take his signature fade-away jumpers.

The 5.5 assists shouldn’t be overlooked either as Domask has stepped up as a playmaker without a true point guard on the roster. The team as a whole has functioned so seamlessly on offense without a point guard that Brad Underwood looks like a genius right now. Illinois basketball has made Marcus Domask a large part of everything that they do on the offensive end. He has truly stepped up as the “alpha dog”  that they have needed after Shannon’s suspension.

Looking ahead, Domask will have plenty of opportunities to build on this performance.

At this current moment, nobody knows when Terrence Shannon is coming back. It could be in a few weeks, or he may miss the rest of the season. In any case, Marcus Domask will be leaned on heavily to provide offense for Illinois Basketball.