Dec. 11—CHAMPAIGN — Tre White doing a tip dunk over Wisconsin’s Carter Gilmore brought the State Farm Center crowd to its feet Tuesday night.
This went beyond a highlights game. White getting the automatic double of the offensive rebound and two points also sapped some of the momentum the Badgers had gained with a three-pointer from Nolan Winter that cut Illinois’ lead to four points with just under 3 minutes to play.
The Orange Krush began chanting White’s name during the ensuing timeout. Partly because White diving on Gilmore’s head was a cringeworthy moment. Partly because the junior guard was piecing together the best game of his Illinois career to date.
White’s two best games before Tuesday night came against Ohio Valley Conference opponents. He had 13 points in a blowout win over SIU Edwardsville and 16 points and eight rebounds in another rout of Little Rock.
But White hadn’t played a role the last two times Illinois took the field. He only played 10 minutes against Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day, didn’t score, and committed numerous fouls in the form of rebounds (two each). He also managed just four points and two rebounds in 15 minutes in his Big Ten debut at Northwestern.
So the State Farm Center crowd chanting his name Tuesday night wasn’t something most would have predicted. White was awarded a second round after the match. After finishing with 23 points and eight rebounds, Illinois cruised to an 86-80 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin.
“It’s no coincidence because he had two of the best practices all year,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “He showed up on Saturday and was extremely active in our film breakdown. On Sunday, he was the best player on the field in practice. That was his attitude in practice. He didn’t put his head down about the Northwestern game. He played well in the Northwestern game, so I knew I had to do some things differently, I had to release that.
Underwood said he didn’t do a good enough job coaching White. I hadn’t put him in the right positions to succeed. At least on the offensive side. White’s defense didn’t falter, even if its playing time and offensive productivity did.
White had both worked against Wisconsin. He made 2 of 3 three-pointers, converted four offensive rebounds into second chances to score, and got to the free throw line more than any other player on either team. While helping limit Wisconsin leader John Tonje — one of the nation’s top 15 scorers — to an inefficient 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
“That’s definitely why we were able to maintain our lead,” Illinois guard Kylan Boswell said. “When he plays at such an elite level, everyone feels it on the court. He’s a great leader for us. I’ve been trying to grow with him, our chemistry. I’m trying to get him active. He carves his own path throughout the game with all the hustle plays he makes.
White said he was just trying to stay ready as his playing time decreased during the Arkansas and Northwestern games. The 6-foot-7 guard, who joined Illinois this season after spot years at USC and Louisville, understands the depth of the Illini roster. If it doesn’t produce, there are other options. Especially with five-star freshman Will Riley at his position.
“I’m just trying to do my part in making winning plays so that when my name is called, I’ll be ready in the same mindset,” White said. “I feel like that’s how I impact winning, just by doing a bunch of different things.”
White was ready from the first tip Tuesday. He scored three points from the corner after Wisconsin took an early 4-0 lead. White finished with 14 points at halftime while playing more minutes in the first half against the Badgers than he did in the entire game at Northwestern.
“I feel like we did a great job planning our next moves and being selfless from the beginning,” White said. “It’s pretty difficult for any team to defend like that when you have such valuable and interchangeable pieces.”
