Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can knock off Maryland

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) shoots a jump shot between Minnesota Golden Gophers center Daniel Oturu (25) and Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Michael Hurt (42) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after dunking the ball during 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) /

The Illinois basketball team is heading into round two against the now No. 9 team in the nation, Maryland Terrapins.

The first rendition of this matchup featured two teams who were on opposite ends of the national spectrum. Maryland was the No. 3 team in the nation looking to propel themselves into the No. 1 slot. Illinois, on the other hand, was a team that was just trying to prove to the world they have turned a corner.

Illinois started the first game off hot taking a huge lead into halftime. But Maryland fought back and won the game in controversial fashion. This should have been a top-five road with for the Illini early in the season. Now the second matchup is about to take place Friday night.

Can Illinois manage to fend off a pesky Terrapins program trying to get back to the top? Both of these teams are tied for the lead in the Big Ten with the tie-breaker going to Maryland right now. But a win by the Illini will bump them ahead of the team from the east coast. How can the Illini win, though?

Here are three ways the Illini can knock off Maryland.

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