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Illinois basketball: 5 questions the Fighting Illini must answer in 2020

By Anthony Brown

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with fans following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates with fans following the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. Will Trent Frazier’s game reach a new level in 2020?

Trent Frazier has been a model of consistency for the Fighting Illini since he arrived there as a four-star recruit in the 2017 class out of Wellington High School in Florida. According to the 247Sports Composite, he was the 21st best point guard and seventh-best player in Florida. By the time his career was over as a Wellington Wolverine, he had quite the resume:

Averaged 28 points, six rebounds and four assists as a senior. The Wolverines finished 27-4 and earned a Florida Class 9A State Semifinal berth.

  • Scored 52 points in a win against the Seminole Ridge Hawks which set a school-record
  • Became Wellington’s all-time leading scorer with 1,742 points over three varsity seasons
  • MaxPreps honorable mention All-American
  • Class 9A Player of the Year by the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches
  • Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 9A Player of the Year
  • Runner-Up in voting for Florida Mr. Basketball
  • South Florida Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year
  • Palm Beach Post Player of the Year

He carried the momentum of his senior year into his freshman season at Illinois where he averaged nearly 13 points, three assists, and two rebounds per game and earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team and All-Big Ten honorable mention. He also led all Big Ten freshman and his team in points, assists, steals, and three-pointers made. He was a player who started off as a reserve and became very effective driving to the basket, running the fast break and shooting from the perimeter.

In his sophomore year, he earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention once again. He showcased his range from the perimeter time and time again throughout the season and it gave the Fighting Illini a big advantage offensively and proved he can make big plays when the team needed him to.

Frazier has also made a name for himself on the defensive end of the court. Last season as a junior, he led the Fighting Illini with 29 steals on the year. He had 98 steals the previous two years. In 2020, he has the opportunity to lead his team in scoring and the other categories that he has in past years.

If Frazier starts at the point guard spot next season, he will make an impact through leadership and production. He has started 61 of 63 games the last two years and I see him being a major piece for the Fighting Illini in his final season with the team. This season could solidify his stock in the 2021 NBA Draft as well.