Illinois Basketball: Three Focuses for the Illini Against Maryland 2.0
The Illinois Basketball team is set to take on the Maryland Terrapins today.
This is a really big game for multiple reasons. Illinois was beaten down by the Terrapins just about three weeks ago by 25 points.
I want to see a few things against Maryland today, though. Here are three things for the Illini to focus on.
The first thing I want Illinois to focus on is shooting better from deep.
In the last game against Maryland, the Illini shot an awful 18.2-percent from the three-point line. This can’t happen again or the score could ugly again.
Illinois has been shooting better from the three-point arc lately, though. They were 9-of-14 against Michigan, which ends up being 64.3-percent. Continued ball movement will enable open three-point shots.
More from Writing Illini
- Illinois Football: 5 Illini players who need more snaps against FAU
- Illinois football vs. Florida Atlantic first half and game betting lines
- Bret Bielema has made Illinois football a nationally competitive program
- Illinois Football: Predicting how the Illini will finish the 2023 season
- Illinois Football: Illini quarterback controversy is on the horizon
This brings me to my next focus. Illinois needs to continue having great ball movement.
Against Michigan, this Illinois basketball team had the best ball movement I have seen them have the entire season. Their point guard play opened up shots for Jalen Coleman-Lands and took pressure off Malcolm Hill.
The Illini had 21 assists last game, which was the highest total all season against DI programs. In the beat down that Maryland put on Illinois the first time around, the Illini only had 9 total assists.
Continue the great ball movement and Illinois will come out with a win today.
The final focus for Illinois today against Maryland is to continue getting Kipper Nichols involved in the game.
Illinois beat Michigan and Nichols played a huge role in that victory. He put up 13 points and 8 rebounds in the 19 minutes he received.
Nichols brings a tough matchup for most players he will go up against. He might only be 6-foot-6 but he plays like he is 6-foot-10. This kid is long and causes headaches for opposing teams.
I also love Nichols scoring ability. We all knew how athletic he was and that he would be able to get to the rim, but the fact that he has nice touch is something I wasn’t aware of.
Nichols played like a complete player against Michigan and I want to continue seeing him play solid minutes from here on out.
Next: My 2017 New Year’s Resolutions
Illinois can come out with a victory today if they focus on these three things. This is a talented team and I believe that We Will Win.