Champaign, Ill. — The No. 11 team in the country did what the No. 11 team in the country should do.
The Illini (2-0) defended their home-court against a non-conference opponent Friday night, throttling Arkansas State (1-1) 92-53 at State Farm Center.
The Illini were not as shorthanded as they were in their season opening win, as guards Andre Curbelo (concussion protocol) and Trent Frazier (right shoulder) made their season debuts Friday night.
“I love having them out there,” Coleman Hawkins said. “Belo (Andre Curbelo) does his thing on offense and Trent [Frazier] does his thing on defense.