Keaton Wagler, the 18-year-old freshman from Shawnee, Kansas, showed out on the biggest stage. Illinois vs. Purdue provided great performances, but none of them outshone Wagler.
Wagler has certainly shown he is one of the better freshmen in the class. His performances have certainly been recognized by the conference and Purdue Boilermakers fans as well. He has earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors several times. Purdue experienced firsthand what Wagler can do.
Wagler didn’t just score 46 points in a top-25 matchup. He broke records in Illinois Fighting Illini basketball. Without senior guard Kylan Boswell, they needed someone to step up. A guard, Andrej Stojakovic, who had a 30-point outing in their previous game against the Maryland Terrapins, seemed the most likely candidate.
The Boilermakers must’ve thought the same thing and didn’t give Wagler the attention he deserved. The freshman sent a message to Purdue that they need to keep an eye on him as well.
Wagler scored the first 14 points for the Fighting Illini. He drained shot after shot from beyond the arc, quieting the Boilermakers crowd.
It is unlikely that the freshman will score 46 points each game, but Wagler must become a focal point of the offense.
With the aforementioned Kylan Boswell out, Wagler must continue his strong play. Illinois has a game against the undefeated Nebraska Cornhuskers on February 1. Their previous matchup this season ended on a buzzer-beating win for Nebraska.
If Wagler can continue his impressive run in Boswell’s absence, the Fighting Illini will thrive. It will be something to keep an eye on, as Illinois has some big matchups upcoming.
The 11th-ranked Fighting Illini have stars to carry them far into March. Performing in March Madness is a different conversation, but Illinois looks poised and ready for it, even in January.
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