Justin Harmon embracing sixth man role for Illini, Amani Hansberry available at Northwestern
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Justin Harmon is fully bought into his role as Illinois basketball’s sixth man and the Illini are benefiting from his play. The Utah Valley transfer has scored in double figures off the bench five out of the past seven games, including a team high 18 points to lead Illinois to a win over Rutgers on Sunday.
“Just no let off from the starting five,” Harmon said about his approach when he enters the game. “Just play as hard as they do and come in and guard and don’t make no mistakes.”
Today previewing NW @justinharmon691 was sporting some sick @colehawk23 gear, says he has a couple of each guys' merch pic.twitter.com/nE71o6bAUP
— Courtney Layne Brewer (@courtneylaynebr) January 23, 2024
“No drop off and elevation,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said about what he expects from a sixth man. “Elevating the play and Justin’s been the consummate student in that side of things in terms of trying to learn it.”
"I want that guy to be a stud, I want that guy to be a bad mother"
Justin Harmon scored a team high 18 points in a win over Rutgers. #Illini coach Brad Underwood on the Utah Valley transfer:
"I've been really hard on Justin and he'll tell you that but he's my dude though" pic.twitter.com/UyOeCUkYI1— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) January 21, 2024
Harmon and the 10th-ranked Illini (14-4, 5-2 B1G) head to Northwestern on Wednesday for a rematch with the Wildcats (13-5, 4-3 B1G), a team they beat by 30 points earlier this month in Champaign. Amani Hansberry will be available to play in Evanston after the Illini freshman forward has been out the past five games with a back injury. The last time Hansberry took the court was against Northwestern on Jan. 2.
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