Brad Underwood felt breakout game was coming from Matthew Mayer, previews matchup with Penn State

Brad Underwood knew that big things were coming from graduate transfer Matthew Mayer, and the Illinois guard proved it on the court on Tuesday.

The forward, who has been suffering with a back injury since July, had a spectacular game, scoring a team high 21 points. Mayer and the rest of the Illini stunned No. 2 Texas with an upset at Madison Square Garden in overtime, taking down the Longhorns 85-78.

According to Underwood, Mayers was poised for the breakout, having been exceptional in practice as well.

#Illini Underwood on Mayer's breakout at MSG: Have seen that in practice the last two or three weeks. He's had days when he's made 8, 9, 10 in a row and you say: 'Ok, that's coming.'

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) December 9, 2022

The Illini will take on Penn State on Saturday, and Underwood spoke about the game plan to handle the Nittany Lions. Underwood called the matchup a “big communication game” defensively speaking, and noted that Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry has NBA experience that could help the Nittany Lions.

#Illini Underwood: This is a big communication game (defensively). They run a lot of actions, a lot of blurs. Micah has an NBA background. Want to create mass movement. Pickett will post it.

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) December 9, 2022

Illinois and Penn State will tip off at noon ET Saturday on BTN.