Illinois Basketball: Marcus Domask, A Champions Journey

Marcus Domask, A Champions Journey

The Fighting Illini took down AJ Storr and the Wisconsin Badgers 93-87 in the Big Ten Tournament Championship. Bringing the hardware home to Central Illinois for the Orange and Blue faithful. Furthermore, capturing their 4th Big Ten Tournament Championship in Illinois Basketball program history (2003, 2005, 2021, 2024). The 2nd of the Brad Underwood era at Illinois, which began in March of 2017. Terrance Shannon Jr led all scorers with 34 on the day and is playing as well as anyone in the nation. Marcus Domask closely trailed behind with 26 on the day. A big sigh of relief for #3 after having a tough semi-finals vs Nebraska.

Marcus poked a little fun at his home-state fans on Sunday. He posted the tweet below on the “X” app out of good humor. Of course, after the Illini were able to beat the Badgers in Minneapolis. Jokingly, Domask posted, asking his native crowd for forgiveness for contributing so heavily to the win over Wisconsin. “To my fellow Wisconsinites. I hope you get past this.” – (@marcusdomask)

Mr. Basketball

Certainly, a wild time for the for the former Wisconsin Mr. Basketball. Marcus was voted the player of the year by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association in 2019. However, college coaches seemed to still overlook the young man from Waupun. A 3-star recruit in 2019, the young man held offers from Southern Illinois University, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Not a ton of options from the jump, but the young man decided to work with what he had. He took his talents south to Carbondale, IL, where he spent the majority of his career. This is where college basketball really got to see how underrated Marcus was.

Saluki Season

Marcus was a problem in the Missouri Valley Conference. As a freshman, he was voted a Freshman All-American by College Insider. Additionally, he won the MVC Newcomer of the Year award, as well as the MVC Freshman of the Year. Marcus was a 3-time Missouri Valley Conference, all-conference selection for the Saluki’s. He is the second player in SIU basketball program history to score 1,600 points, snag 500 rebounds, and 300 assists. One of the better players to have come through a historically good SIU basketball program.

At Illinois

#3 quickly made a impact for Illinois Basketball. It was not only a shock to see him comfortably starting at Illinois after a jump from the OVC, but producing consistently at a high-level in the Big Ten. Immediately raising his floor for Illinois fans, as the “unknown” wore off very quickly. As well as raising the floor on the entire 2024 season. Which, faced a lot of unknowns and uncertainty after a disappointing 2022.

Domask averages 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3,7 assists per game, thus far in 2024 for the Illini. On February 17th, Marcus was able to hit the 2000th points scored benchmark vs Maryland, in a double-double performance. A major accomplishment for any college basketball player.  He also heavily assisted Illinois in closing big wins on the road to Minneapolis. Where, Marcus was crowned a Big Ten Champion vs his home-state school. A sweet sendoff to the Badgers for Domask, as he helped hand them their 8th-straight loss to the Fighting Illini. Of course, ever so sweet for Domask, as the Badgers were one of the many programs that overlooked Marcus in his recruitment.

The young man is pumped to be a champion, but never had doubts. “There was a lot of times where it would have been easy to fold, pack it up, and accept defeat.” says Domask. “But, at every timeout we had the same message, that we weren’t going home, we weren’t losing this game.”

Just the Beginning

Of course, the fun does not have to conclude here for Marcus Domask and Illinois Basketball. Brackets are released, and it’s time for the madness to begin. Illinois is currently slated to take on 14-seeded Morehead State in Omaha, who are the winners of the Ohio Valley Conference. Marcus and the Illini are looking to add more 6 pages to this 2024 seasons storybook. Terrance Shannon Jr is no doubt the best player on the floor for Illinois, and possibly in the nation. However, the X-factor for this NCAA tournament for Illinois is Domask. Illinois is very good, and extremely hard to beat when these two are competing at a high level. If they can continue to duo well, they can beat anyone, and March could be great to Illinois Basketball.

March could also be great for Marcus as well. NBA scouts will surely have their eye on the tournament, and what a better way him to increase his stock. He has proven a lot about his game over his career, and this season at Illinois was a major step towards that dream for Domask. Certainly, he can sweeten his stock further in the field of 64, and lead Illinois on the road to Arizona. What a story and Journey for the young man from Waupun, WI.

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