Illinois' Terrence Shannon Has Become More Consistent This Season

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon has twice considered entering the NBA Draft.

Each time, he has returned to college. It has helped him improve as a player because he's learned from the feedback received from NBA talent scouts.

It's good thing for the Fighting Illini because they rode Shannon to the NCAA Tournament this season. The Illini open today against Morehead State in the first round of the East Regional in Omaha.

"He's becoming very consistent," Illini coach Brad Underwood said. "The NBA process was great for him. He listened and he went to work on things they thought were issues with his game. So he's gotten better. He's doing what great players do in big moments and that's rise to the occasion."

Shannon is one of the nation's hottest players entering the tournament. He averaged 34 points in the Big Ten tourney, leading the Illini to the title. He had a career-high 40 points in the semifinals against Ohio State. If his strong play continues, his draft stock will continue to rise.

He is projected as a first-round pick but could move into the lottery.

"That was special, watching the game," Underwood said. "The 40-point game was very organic. We don't run a ton for him. I just looked at the box score at the end of the game and I was like, `Oh wow, he had a night. He did it in all difference facets of play."

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com