Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can beat Minnesota

No. 2 Shoot from three-point range at a high rate

Illinois has been shooting the three-ball at a good rate these past three games. Overall, though, we haven’t had a great three-point shooting season. The Orange and Blue do struggle with offensive droughts that end up costing us valuable points.. Three-point shooting is something Illinois will need to do well against Minnesota.

The Illini are shooting just 30-percent from three-point range this year, which ranks at No. 300 in the nation. While that number does look bad, the Illini have shot 39-percent from three-point range in the past 3 games, which is awesome.

Three-point shooting is so vital for this Illinois offense because if we are hitting deep shots, then that makes the defense less likely to trap in the post. It is going to be important that our starters are hitting their three-point shots considering the bench will be without Alan Griffin.

Illinois is a team that lacks consistent three-point shooting from multiple players. Those players are Da’Monte Williams, Andres Feliz and Kipper Nichols. Williams really looks to not shoot the three-ball as when he gets a wide-open three he passes it.

Feliz isn’t shy about shooting from deep. Even when he struggles, he doesn’t get discouraged about shooting. Nichols is kind of in the same boat with Williams, though. He doesn’t look to shoot the three-ball all the time when he’s open, but he will shoot it sometimes.

One of the biggest keys for the Illini to win on Thursday is three-point shooting. If we are hitting, I have no question we will win.