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Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can beat the Iowa Hawkeyes

By Rees Woodcock

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Michigan Wolverines forward Austin Davis (51) shoots over Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) during a regular season Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (21) and the Michigan Wolverines on January 25, 2020, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 25: Michigan Wolverines forward Austin Davis (51) shoots over Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) during a regular season Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (21) and the Michigan Wolverines on January 25, 2020, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: A moment of silence is held for Robert Archibald prior to a college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team looks to extend their winning streak on Sunday with a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

This isn’t going to be an easy game by any means. Iowa comes into this contest ranked as the No. 18 team in the nation. The Hawkeyes also get to play this game at home, which is a massive advantage in the Big Ten.

Iowa has won five out of their last six games with their only loss coming to a ranked Maryland team on the road. This Hawkeyes bunch is playing well and with a lot of confidence as of late. They need this win to continue making a push for a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. But this isn’t just a big game for Iowa.

Illinois is coming into this game with the solo lead of first place in the Big Ten standings. We are 8-2 and currently a half-game ahead of Michigan State, who dropped a shocker on Saturday to Wisconsin. This Spartans loss leaves the door wide open for the Illini to take control of this conference.

The Illini are also getting to full-strength for this Iowa game too. Alan Griffin is back from his two-game suspension. He should be fed some playing time, but don’t be surprised if he is still in Brad Underwood’s doghouse. History shows that Griffin won’t get a ton of minutes on Sunday. Overall, the Illini need to win this game to continue being top dog in the conference.

Here are three ways the Illini can beat the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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