The Illinois basketball team looks to continue the positive vibes this Saturday when they take on Grand Canyon University.
This game just five years ago would have been a cakewalk tune-up type of contest for the Illini. But, that is not the case today. This is a good Antelopes program led by former NBA star, Dan Majerle.
Grand Canyon is currently 10-4 on the season with an RPI of No. 225 in the nation. They really haven’t had a good win this season and the toughest team – besides Illinois – that they have played so far is Louisville. They dropped that game by 18 points on December 23.
Right now, the Antelopes average 74.1 points per game, which ranks No. 155 in the nation. This isn’t an overly impressive number, but the team is led by guard Joshua Braun. He is averaging 14.1 PPG to go along with his 4.1 rebounds per game. He will be the main player for the Illini to stop on Saturday.
Judging by his size, I figure either Mark Smith or Mark Alstork will guard Braun for most of the night. These two should make easy work of him and as long as he is shut down, Illinois should get the win.
Casey Benson is Grand Canyon’s best ball handler. In addition to his 10.5 PPG and 4.6 RPG, Benson is also averaging 5.3 assists per game. This leads the team and the Illini should be cognizant of how good this kid is.
Trent Frazier should be able to put a stop to Benson all night, though. With Frazier’s speed and ability to cover players like a glove, Benson should have a rough time.
I do have a few worries for the Illini. Grand Canyon is good defensively. They are only giving up 61.3 PPG which ranks No. 11 in the nation. That is an impressive number but you also have to look at the competition they are going up against as well.
I think this game could be decided on the three-point arc. Illinois likes to score from the outside, but they are only shooting 33.1-percent from deep. This falls right into the strength of Grand Canyon. Their opponents have only shot 26-percent from three-point range this season, which ranks No. 2 in the nation.
Grand Canyon is also a good rebounding team as well. They are pulling down 39.6 rebounds per game which ranks No. 32 in the nation. They have some great rebounding guards, and they have two foreign players – Alessandro Lever and Roberts Blumbergs – who are both 6-foot-10 and they could cause problems for the Illini.
Honestly, here is how you beat Grand Canyon. Illinois needs to run and run a lot. They have the scoring ability to put up 80 points in every game this season. The Antelopes aren’t great on offense but they are on defense. The Illini just need to play their solid defense, like usual, and make sure to move the ball on offense.
Illinois has more talent but they can’t rest on that fact. They need to continue moving the ball to get open looks. Frazier has to continue his great play as well. If the shots aren’t falling from downtown, the guards either need to get the ball inside by passing to Leron Black or drive the ball into the lane.
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Don’t sleep on Grand Canyon because they have some talent and good coaching. But, Illinois should come away with a win as long as they are active on offense.