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Illinois Basketball: 4 things the Illini need to change

By Rees Woodcock

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Aaron Jordan /

1. Let the shooters shoot

Last night was a disappointment because the Illini should have beaten Northwestern. There is no reason Illinois left that game with a loss. They played tremendous defense but couldn’t get it done on the offensive end of the court.

The previous low field goal attempts for Illinois was 58 this season. That was to UT-Martin and they barely won that game. Against the Wildcats, Illinois only attempted 53 shots at the basket. They were making them at a clip of 41.5-percent, which is okay, but they needed to put up more shots.

It is clear Illinois needs to put up more shots in a game, and I think it needs to start with Aaron Jordan. He has been sensational this season and heading into Friday night, he led the nation in three-point shooting.

Jordan finished the Northwestern game with 10 points, and he shot 2-of-3 from the field and 1-of-1 from the three-point line. He was also 5-of-5 from the free throw line as well. These are great numbers for someone who is playing 10 minutes per game. But to play 23 minutes and only put up three total shots is unacceptable. He needs to either get plays called for him more often or he can’t be afraid to just let it rip.

Illinois needs more points and Jordan is one of the players who should be taking more shots. This is a volume offense but the volume just wasn’t there on Friday night.

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