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Illinois Basketball: How the Illini will beat the Wisconsin Badgers

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: An Illinois Fighting Illini fan is seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: An Illinois Fighting Illini fan is seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team takes on the Wisconsin Badgers tonight at the Kohl Center.

This is a game both the Illini and Badgers need. Illinois is now 10-9 on the season and 0-6 in Big Ten play. Wisconsin isn’t much better, in fact, they have a worse overall record sitting at 9-10 this season. But, the Badgers have won a few Big Ten games, currently with a 2-4 record.

Illinois has an advantage in this game considering they score substantially higher than Wisconsin. The Illini average 78.1 points per game this season which ranks No. 65 in the nation. The Badgers, on the other hand, are averaging 68.1 PPG and that ranks No. 279 in the nation. Illinois’ pace of play should get the Badgers in some trouble. They will have to score to keep up with the Illini and that hasn’t been their specialty.

Wisconsin isn’t a big team either. Their best player – Ethan Happ – is 6-foot-10 but he is really all they have in the rebounding department. He is averaging 16.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Illinois needs to take advantage of the smaller teams. These programs should be the Illini’s bread and butter.

The Badgers average 31.8 rebounds per game which ranks No. 314 in the nation. Illinois is actually a good rebounding team despite the lack of size. I expect a big rebounding differential this game in favor of the visitors. Illinois will need to take advantage of the second chance opportunities.

Wisconsin does have an advantage on defense, though. They are one of the best in the nation on this side of the court. They only average giving up 65.6 PPG which ranks No. 31 in the nation. Illinois isn’t too far behind giving up 72.4 PPG and this ranks No. 162 in the nation.

Illinois really struggled on the offensive side of the court against Nebraska last game and this worries me heading into tonight. If the Illini can score at their usual pace, then I think we can pull out a win here. Illinois is a deeper team than Wisconsin as well. It will help having Te’Jon Lucas back in the mix for however long he gets to play.

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I think Illinois is going to win tonight. They need to keep Happ in check and everything will be fine. Don’t let him get a double-double. Michael Finke is going to need to come through tonight like he did in the second half against the Cornhuskers as well. He has the ability; now let’s see him put together a complete game. Illinois will win this one 72-65.

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