Discussion of Trent Frazier’s defense is all the rage these days. It’s all anyone’s talking about. But who knew Trent would be offended if one asked about his offensive outburst against Purdue.
I suppose it makes sense. Offense is offensive.
Erich Fisher and I asked different versions of did coach tell you to be more aggressive with the ball after that game. Trent dismissed the notion.
Then Derek Piper posed the same question to Brad Underwood. He said yes.
It seemed pretty obvious. But whatever the case, thank goodness it’s happening. The Complete Trent is much better than Defensive Specialist Trent. The Illini need those buckets. In a handful of losses this year, an extra 10 to 15 points from Frazier would have dramatically changed circumstances.
Cuonzo Martin made it clear in his 2019 postgame observations that taking the ball from Trent changed the whole nature of the Illini offense.
When Brad gave the ball back, Illinois walloped the Boilermakers. Cause and effect can be pretty simple sometimes.
