Illinois Basketball: 3 things the Illini need to do to beat Michigan

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) high fives Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) during a timeout in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on January 21, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1 Feed the post

Illinois has been one of the best post-scoring teams in the NCAA. One of the best things about this Illini team is that it has a beast down on the block in Kofi Cockburn. Feeding the post will really be effective against this Michigan team.

Like I said earlier, this Michigan team has struggled against opposing teams’ big men. In Michigan’s last three games, they have given up 19, 33 and 30 points to their opponent’s big men. That isn’t good. It is clear that the Wolverines have been struggling to stop the other team from scoring down in the post.

Michigan struggling at post defense is greats news for Illinois. The Illini have two good post players in Kofi Cockburn and Giorgi Bezhanishvili. Kofi has been the best for the Orange and Blue and even with Giorgi struggling in the post, he is still capable of scoring from just about anywhere on the court.

Since Michigan struggles in the post, I think Illinois will look to feed Kofi and Giorgi. Attacking the post will be a focal point of the offense, especially since Alan Griffin is serving a two-game suspension starting Saturday.

If Illinois employs a heavy dose of Kofi and Giorgi early on in the Michigan game, then I think we can come away with a victory. Feed the big men, and we will be alright.

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