Good Morning, Illini Nation: Fresh start for Jakucionis? | Newsletter

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

A dozen turnovers — six in each game — at the Big Ten tournament raised some familiar concerns about Kasparas Jakucionis. Mostly that the Illinois freshman has struggled with ball security throughout the season. Jakucionis leads all Big Ten players with 3.6 turnovers per game, and his 111 total turnovers put him just outside the top 10 for the most nationally. Mercer’s Ahmad Robinson leads that particular list with 131.

Other than the turnovers, Jakucionis was not at his season best in Indianapolis, but he wasn’t a disaster. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and two assists in two Big Ten tournament games. But the Illini, if they are to make a deep NCAA tournament run, might need Jakucionis to produce more at the level he did from late November through the end of January.

In a 14-game span during that time frame, Jakucionis averaged 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in addition to shooting 48 percent overall, 39 percent from three-point range and 88 percent at the free throw line. More than enough to offset just shy of four turnovers per game. (And that included the Michigan State game where he played just shy of 9 minutes because of questionable foul trouble).

“I think there’s been some great moments,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said of Jakucionis’ season. “I think there’s been, I don’t want to say bad play, but there’s been some challenges. He’s at the top of the scouting report. I know how good he is. We’ve all seen that. He’s hit big shot after big shot all year long.

“I’m more getting him…

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Publish date : 2025-03-19 14:48:00

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