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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for 87-74 road win over Illinois

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 10: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 10: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Jaren Jackson Jr.: A

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a unicorn. He’s the most unique player Tom Izzo has ever coached, rivaling guys like Miles Bridges, Draymond Green and Denzel Valentine — heck, even Adreian Payne was extremely unique.

As a true freshman, Jackson Jr. is about as impressive as any big man in college basketball, making him virtually impossible to guard. Not many players can showcase the driving ability, handles and defensive prowess that the 6-foot-11 from Indiana does on a nightly basis.

Monday night may have been his coming out party. Sure, he’s had good games before, but he did a little of everything, outside of shooting threes, to impress NBA scouts. He drove to the basket, drawing contact and still dunking the ball and he ran the floor, beating defenders on a coast-to-coast dunk after grabbing a rebound over 2-3 guys.

Jackson Jr. is impressive and he proved that he can make a really good Michigan State team great if he plays to his potential. He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks against the Illini, also adding a steal. This kid wowed just about everyone versus Illinois — and he made 11-of-12 free throws.

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