Illinois Basketball: Lessons from Fighting Illini exhibition win over IUP

Alfonso Plummer is going to shoot

Utah Utes transfer Alfonso Plummer got more minutes versus IUP than he did versus St. Francis (ILL.) and with those more minutes came more shots, the majority of those said shots were from beyond the three-point line. After Trent Frazier hurt his shoulder and was reduced to sitting after just four minutes of playing time, Plummer went on to shoot 3 for 7 from three-point land.

His performance versus IUP improved his three-point stats to three for nine in two exhibition games. Plummer is a career 40 percent shooter from downtown, but consistency is what he needs to improve upon. The 6’1 guard has made five or more three-pointers seven times in his collegiate career, one of those games he connected on 11 versus Oregon State in the conference tournament.  In the same breath, it has to be mentioned that he has had eleven games where he has missed five or more three-pointers.

After two exhibition games, it is clear the Fighting Illini are hoping their three-point shooting will be a source of offense as it was last season. Their over 37 percent success rate ranked them No. 35 in the nation, it was their 17 attempts per game, however,  that limited their scoring as they were ranked No.312. If Coach Underwood plans on featuring the three-point shot more this season, as indicated by their 17 for 52 after two exhibition games, Alfonso Plummer will be a part of that.