Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can beat the Purdue Boilermakers

3 of 4

CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 18: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) gets into a defensive position during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 18, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Play defense all game long

Illinois has been one of the best defensive teams in the nation. The Orange and Blue rank at No. 60 in defensive efficiency and No. 65 in the nation in opponents points per game. Even though this Illinois team has played good defense, the Illini did struggle to stop the Northwestern offense.

The Illini had a tough time against the Wildcats. It was Illinois’ defense that struggled the most, though. Northwestern was hitting shots from everywhere. Even when Illinois got up by nine late in the second half, the Wildcats still managed to have a chance to send it to overtime.

Purdue ranks No. 230 in the nation in scoring offense and No. 257 in the nation in field goal percentage. This bodes well for the Illinois defense. The Boilermakers have one of the worst offenses that Illinois will face this season

But this still doesn’t mean Purdue can’t get going. The Boilermakers did put up 71 points against Michigan State and just took Maryland to the wire on the road. They have the talent to win big games, and Illinois’ defense needs to be prepared.

If Illinois is able to play solid defense on Tuesday, then there shouldn’t be a problem beating Purdue. But the defense needs to stay solid all game long.

Home/Illinois Basketball