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Let's continue with my countdown of my 30 favorite Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players of my fandom, spanning from the 1996-97 season until present day. Here are numbers 30-20.
After securing highly-regarded transfers Matthew Mayer and Terrence Shannon Jr. following the 2022-23 season but not necessarily having the best results en route to a first-round exit during the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood changed his approach to bringing in players from other programs.
Rather than focusing upon stars, Underwood signed veteran role players whom he thought would fit in with the 2023-24 team, including Utah Valley's Justin Harmon, Oregon's Quincy Guerrier and Southern Illinois' Marcus Domask, my 19th favorite player of my Illinois fandom.
While playing just one season in Champaign, Domask certainly maximized his time in the Orange and Blue, teaming up with Shannon to lead Illinois to the second weekend of the 2024 NCAA Tournament for the first time since the glorious 2004-05 season when the Illini advanced to the national title game. A shrewd, under-the-radar addition, Domask was a perfect teammate who helped steady the team while Shannon dealt with unfortunate legal issues.
Of course, Domask broke out early during the 2023-24 season, having his coming out party on the biggest stage of all, at Madison Square Garden against Florida Atlantic, a program that reached the Final Four the prior tournament. On that glorious Tuesday night, Domask scored a career-high 33 points on an amazing 14-for-21 from the field.
In the second half of that game, Domask employed what Illinois fans would affectionately call "Booty Ball," posting up smaller opponents and going to work with his back-down and fadeaway game. Getting on as impressive of a heater as any Illinois player has had in recent memory, with the exception of Keaton Wagler's 46 point performance at Purdue this past season, Domask elevated the Illini that night and the rest of the season.
Low maintenance and all about the team, the talented Domask was a revelation at Illinois after playing four seasons in the Missouri Valley Conference, scoring:
Of course, Domask saved his best for the postseason, scoring 26 points against Wisconsin in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, earning a triple double (12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists) against Morehead State during the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, and posting 22 points during a second-round victory against Duquense.
In my opinion, Domask's most important game was his performance against Iowa State during the Sweet Sixteen . Against Iowa State's blitzing and trapping defense, Domask kept his cool, being strong with the ball, stepping through double teams and not turning the ball over. His final stat line of 7 points, 6 rebounds and team-high 5 assists do not speak enough about how great Domask played in the half court that night. On a team that did not have a true point guard, Domask's ability to sustain and initiate offense was a big reason why the Illini upset the Cyclones.
While Illinois would lose big to UCONN during the Elite Eight, Domask acquitted himself quite well, scoring a team-high 17 points. At one point, Illinois had the game tied at 23 with about five minutes left in the first half, with Domask accounting for much of the Illini offense.
All in all, as the season went on, Domask just got better and better, a model of consistency, someone Illinois fans could count on every single night.
While Shannon may have been the superstar on the 2023-24 team, Domask was a very close second, far exceeding his expectations when arriving from Southern Illinois.
Ultimately, Domask is a great reminder of how finding the right guys, rather than just getting the highest-rated players, is so important in today's transfer portal era. From day one on campus, Domask was grateful to be at Illinois and proved that he more than belonged at this level.
Domask's lone season in Champaign was so impressive that he will first and foremost be remembered as an Illinois Fighting Illini despite playing four seasons at Southern Illinois and being Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin!
In my humble opinion Domask is the most impressive portal find of the Underwood era, a player who set a high bar that will be hard to reach by future underrated Illini transfers who wow more with their game than their name.
Rather than focusing upon stars, Underwood signed veteran role players whom he thought would fit in with the 2023-24 team, including Utah Valley's Justin Harmon, Oregon's Quincy Guerrier and Southern Illinois' Marcus Domask, my 19th favorite player of my Illinois fandom.
While playing just one season in Champaign, Domask certainly maximized his time in the Orange and Blue, teaming up with Shannon to lead Illinois to the second weekend of the 2024 NCAA Tournament for the first time since the glorious 2004-05 season when the Illini advanced to the national title game. A shrewd, under-the-radar addition, Domask was a perfect teammate who helped steady the team while Shannon dealt with unfortunate legal issues.
Of course, Domask broke out early during the 2023-24 season, having his coming out party on the biggest stage of all, at Madison Square Garden against Florida Atlantic, a program that reached the Final Four the prior tournament. On that glorious Tuesday night, Domask scored a career-high 33 points on an amazing 14-for-21 from the field.
In the second half of that game, Domask employed what Illinois fans would affectionately call "Booty Ball," posting up smaller opponents and going to work with his back-down and fadeaway game. Getting on as impressive of a heater as any Illinois player has had in recent memory, with the exception of Keaton Wagler's 46 point performance at Purdue this past season, Domask elevated the Illini that night and the rest of the season.
Low maintenance and all about the team, the talented Domask was a revelation at Illinois after playing four seasons in the Missouri Valley Conference, scoring:
- 26 points at #1 Purdue.
- 32 points at Northwestern.
- 31 points at Wisconsin (in his home state).
- 20 points during a home loss against #3 Purdue.
Of course, Domask saved his best for the postseason, scoring 26 points against Wisconsin in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, earning a triple double (12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists) against Morehead State during the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, and posting 22 points during a second-round victory against Duquense.
In my opinion, Domask's most important game was his performance against Iowa State during the Sweet Sixteen . Against Iowa State's blitzing and trapping defense, Domask kept his cool, being strong with the ball, stepping through double teams and not turning the ball over. His final stat line of 7 points, 6 rebounds and team-high 5 assists do not speak enough about how great Domask played in the half court that night. On a team that did not have a true point guard, Domask's ability to sustain and initiate offense was a big reason why the Illini upset the Cyclones.
While Illinois would lose big to UCONN during the Elite Eight, Domask acquitted himself quite well, scoring a team-high 17 points. At one point, Illinois had the game tied at 23 with about five minutes left in the first half, with Domask accounting for much of the Illini offense.
All in all, as the season went on, Domask just got better and better, a model of consistency, someone Illinois fans could count on every single night.
While Shannon may have been the superstar on the 2023-24 team, Domask was a very close second, far exceeding his expectations when arriving from Southern Illinois.
Ultimately, Domask is a great reminder of how finding the right guys, rather than just getting the highest-rated players, is so important in today's transfer portal era. From day one on campus, Domask was grateful to be at Illinois and proved that he more than belonged at this level.
Domask's lone season in Champaign was so impressive that he will first and foremost be remembered as an Illinois Fighting Illini despite playing four seasons at Southern Illinois and being Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin!
In my humble opinion Domask is the most impressive portal find of the Underwood era, a player who set a high bar that will be hard to reach by future underrated Illini transfers who wow more with their game than their name.
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