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With 2:56 left in Illinois’ statement win against the rivals from the state over to the west, Terrence Shannon Jr. walked to the bench for the last time. The orange-clad fans behind the bench cheered quickly and vigorously — after all, this was one of the best shows they’d ever seen.

Shannon scored 30 points, with 11 rebounds and four assists. It was masterpiece theater.

“Was there any doubt who the best player on the court was?� Illinois coach Brad Underwood asked after the Illini’s 97-73 win against Missouri last Friday at Enterprise Center. “When Terrence rebounds and can get out in transition like that, we’re a pretty special basketball team.�

During the Braggin’ Rights game, while the veteran Illini did, seemingly, whatever they wanted to do, I thought to myself: This could be group that plays in the Final Four.

Then, after the Braggin’ Rights game, Dennis Gates said the same thing.

“I think they’re a Final Four team,� shared the Mizzou coach, who was a 9-year-old in Chicago when the 1989 Illini went to the Final Four. “I’ll tell you what that team is. Remember when Illinois had (Stephen) Bardo, Kendall Gill, all those guys across the line? This team is similar to that, when you look at size for position and ability to have moving parts. ... I believe they will win the Big Ten. That’s how I feel. That team is reminiscent of the team with Kendall Gill and those guys.�

Gill, who played in the NBA from 1990-2005, was a 6-foot-5 star from the Chicago area who averaged 20 points in his last year for the Illini. The current Illinois star Shannon, who is 6-6, is from Chicago and had averaged 20.9 points — before the Mizzou game boosted it to 21.7.

Since Gill played in Champaign, only one Illinois guard has averaged 20 points per game — current NBA player Ayo Dosunmo, in 2020-21.

Now, many teams have great players. Few teams have elite players. Shannon, a guard, is elite. And electric. He jolts downcourt with confidence, while attacking defenders as if they’re bystanders. He’s unafraid. And even with a bit of an unorthodox release, the lefty lofts 3s with ease. Entering the Mizzou game, Shannon was one of only four players in the United States to averaged at least 20 points while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3.

“Any time you get a stop (defensively), he’s a bucket, if they’re not set up in half-court defense,� said Shannon’s teammate Coleman Hawkins, one of four Illinois starters with at least three previous seasons of college ball under their belt. “One of the fastest players I’ve ever played with. Super-strong. When he’s coming at you with a full head of steam, all you can really do is foul him. ... He gets us looks too — a lot of guys collapse (on him), try to make him pass the ball. And he is pretty good about sharing the ball — he’s not a selfish player. He’s very capable of doing what he did (against Missouri) consistently.�

When Shannon entered the transfer portal after a stint at Texas Tech, Gates recruited him to Mizzou. The coach previously had recruited the high schooler Shannon to Florida State, where Gates was an assistant. And now, Shannon shows up in Gates’ life once a year, essentially as a Christmas Scrooge.

By halftime of the Braggin’ Rights game, Shannon had 17 points, 13 free-throw attempts and nine rebounds, while being plus-26.

By halftime, the Braggin’ Rights game was over (49-24, Illinois).

But the game’s most impressive play came in the second half. In transition, Mizzou guard Nick Honor led the pack to the basket, but a hustling Shannon not only caught up to him but forced a turnover in the lane. The ball sputtered toward the corner — and Shannon showcased the foot speed to track it down, as well as the twinkle toes to stay inbounds. From his backcourt, Shannon then whipped the ball diagonally to Hawkins in the frontcourt.

The man had done enough.

Except ... Shannon continued to hustle downcourt the other way, receiving a pass from Hawkins for a layup.

This had to be the play Underwood was talking about when the coach said, “There was a sequence, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like that by anybody. My goodness. And I sat on the sideline (at Kansas State) with Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sequence as freakishly dominating athletically as that was. His speed. He’s so strong. But you then compile all of his physical attributes with his incredible — and I mean incredible — work ethic.

“And I’ve had some guys at work. This one’s at the top of the list. It’s a saying that good things happen to those who work hard. And it’s just a combination of all that. I hope everybody gets to see what a wonderful kid he is.�

You often hear about a player’s work ethic. What does that truly mean though? Well, according to a video made by the Illinois athletics department, Shannon arrives each weekday to the basketball arena at 4:45 a.m.

Illinois ended the week ranked No. 13 team in the nation. The Big Ten season starts soon. If you haven’t seen Shannon play yet, make a point to see him get all these points. He’s poised to have one of the great seasons in Illinois basketball history.

“Terrence Shannon is a potential first-team All-American,� Gates said, “in addition to a Naismith player of the year candidate.�