9 players who can help their team advance in the Big Ten Tournament

Marcus Domask (Illinois)

Much of the focus and talk at Illinois has been about Terrence Shannon Jr. and he certainly deserves acclaim for what he’s done this season. However, the Fighting Illini played without him for several weeks earlier in the year due to his suspension and Domask is a major reason why the Illini didn’t falter.

After spending four seasons starring at Southern Illinois, Domask landed at Illinois this previous offseason. His season got off to a slow start, but he really blossomed in Shannon’s absence and is averaging 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

The former MVC Rookie of the Year needed time to settle into Illinois’s system and the results have been impressive. Domask shined with 33 points in a big win over Florida Atlantic in December before dropping 32 against Northwstern a few weeks later without Shannon on the floor. His 31-point outing at Wisconsin earlier this month was just the latest example of his touch.

Illinois has been the second-best team in this Big Ten all season long and the play of Domask has been a major reason. There are other catalysts on this squad, notably Coleman Hawkins and a couple of those other guards, but Domask is the guy who can go off and power the Illini through both this tournament and the NCAA Tournament. He and Shannon form quite the two-headed powerhouse.