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Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Nebraska

By Jalen Wilson

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – FEBRUARY 18: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates a win after a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center on February 18, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball is set to face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Monday for their first and only meeting this season.

This Illini team is coming into the game 17-9 overall and 9-6 in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers come into this game 7-19 overall and 2-13 in the Big Ten. Illinois is coming off a huge win over ninth-ranked Penn State. Nebraska is coming off a loss to Michigan State.

Illinois isn’t hot or cold right now. They did beat Penn State last game but, before that win, they lost four straight games. Illinois does come into this match-up with momentum. On the other hand, Nebraska comes into this game with nothing to lose. The Cornhuskers have lost eleven straight games. I still expect Nebraska to try to pull out an upset and put a blemish on Illinois’ record.

This game is important for the Orange and Blue. The Illini are currently projected to get the No. 8 seed in the South region, based on ESPN’s bracketology. Winning this game probably won’t move Illinois up any spots in anyone’s bracket. But a Loss will most likely move Illinois down because Nebraska isn’t a good team.

A win on Monday wouldn’t move Illinois up a lot in Big Ten standings either. Illinois currently sits behind Maryland, Penn State, Iowa and Michigan State. They have lost twice to each Maryland and Michigan State and lost once to Iowa. The only team Illinois could jump is Penn State and that’s only if they lose to Indiana on Sunday.

Here are three ways the Illini can take down Nebraska.

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