5 Takeaways: Peoria Notre Dame vs Normal Community
Friday we took in a Big 12 Conference battle as Peoria Notre Dame traveled to Normal Community. Peoria Notre Dame controlled game throughout winning by a final of 57-45. Checkout our 5 Takeaways: Peoria Notre Dame vs Normal Community!
Connor Dillon Continues to Improve
Peoria Notre Dame is led by their 2020 6’1” combo guard Connor Dillon. We liked what we saw out of the guard during the spring and summer with the Illinois Irish 16U. At his height he will probably have to play the point guard spot at the college level. He displayed more growth in that area of his game. Showed slick ball handling against pressure and was a crisp passer. Had a good feel for the game especially in the half court. Made several finds to his shooters on dribble penetration. Plus shooter that hit them from mid-range on one dribble pull ups. Also mixed in some runners finishing those with both hands. He had 12 points.
Peoria Notre Dame Shooting and Balance
Notre Dame brought a balanced effort on the road. That was primarily because of how well they shot it from three and at the charity stripe. Joe Gustafson is a 6’2” senior that was lights out from three spotting up. He had 14 points. Matt Pudik is another 2019 shooting guard that knocked down triples off the catch and mixed in a couple scores inside. Ben Kouri is a junior at 5’10” who can shoot it too as well as get in passing lanes. He had 11 points. Declan Dillon is a lengthy two guard that lived at the free throw line. Also hit a corner triple for 11 points. Sophomore Matthew Williams is an upside forward that should continue to emerge as the season goes on.
CJ Wilbourn One of Top Posts in 2019 Class
Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit power forward CJ Wilbourn had a quiet first half for Normal Community, but in the second half the top 30 senior in the senior class stepped up. Defensively he stepped out on ball screen action. Solid area rebounder. Offensively he was double and triple teamed every time he touched the basketball. Got on the offensive glass for a pair of put backs. Had an and-1 in the high/low game. Powered his way through defenders for a tough bucket. I came away impressed with how well he passed it. Consistently found open teammates for quality looks out of the post. He had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Wilbourn Needs More Help
The big fella is going to need some help as the season goes on. Blake Foster did the most damage in this one for Normal Community. He is a sharp shooting 6’1” two guard that drilled four from beyond the arc. Dishon Hall is a thick bodied two guard that converted a couple scores in the paint on a high/low finish as well as a baseline take. Evan Pogge is a 6’6” big man that we liked during the summer. He could never get it going in this game finishing with three points.
Big 12 Conference Talented
The Big 12 is a loaded conference with a lot of quality depth this season. We look forward to continuing to track the progress of these two squads as the season goes along.