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Illinois Basketball: Here is how the Illini can beat Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at United Center on December 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at United Center on December 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team takes on the Nebraska Cornhuskers tonight in a game the Illini need to desperately win.

Illinois has started the season off 10-8 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play. This was not the start I had hoped for and quite frankly, I am disappointed with what I have seen out of a few players so far. There is still time to build on the progress the team has made this season so when they come back next year, they are better than ever.

The Illini have a tough task tonight. Nebraska is an okay team that competes in every game, much like the Illini. A few more games have gone their way, though. The Cornhuskers are also playing at home, which is a big advantage in the Big Ten.

So, how does Illinois beat this interesting Nebraska team?

Well, first off, Nebraska doesn’t have much size. This is a big bonus to the Illini and one of the reasons why I think they can pull off the upset tonight. Their biggest player is Jordy Tshimanga who is 6-foot-11, but he is only averaging 15.2 minutes, 3.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. His size isn’t worth his playing time. He only shoots 38.1-percent from the field which means he is terrible close to the hoop as well.

The “big man” Illinois would have to worry about is Isaac Copeland. He is a grad transfer from Georgetown who is doing some good things for this Cornhuskers program. He is averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season. The way to stop Copeland is to let Greg Eboigbodin loose. He needs to be covering Copeland the entire night. If Leron Black is on Copeland, I have no doubt he will foul out of the game. This is a job for Eboigbodin and I think he can handle it.

Nebraska also has an aggressive wing player as well. James Palmer Jr. is their leading scoring with 15.2 PPG. He is shooting 42.7-percent from the field and 33.3-percent from three-point range. The thing that sticks out the most with Palmer is his free throw shooting. He is shooting the best he has ever shot at the free throw line and he is taking the most free throws per game as well. He averages 6.1 free throws per game, which is an insane number. He is No. 77 in the nation in free throws attempted per game.

The key here is for Mark Alstork or Leron Black to not reach. Make Palmer come to you and don’t be the aggressor on the defensive end. This is usually what gets these two in foul trouble. They are averaging a lot of fouls per game and both fouled out against Iowa. Either they will both be in foul trouble early or they will shut down Nebraska. There is no in-between. But, to stop Palmer, these two will have to be smart about their defense.

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Those are a few areas where Illinois can take advantage of Nebraska. This game will be close. The two teams are very similar as far as construct goes. I think Illinois has the better guard play, though. That will be a huge factor tonight. The Illini can win this game and I think they will, 74-68.

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