Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Northwestern

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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini huddle during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on February 7, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Avoid the scoring droughts

Scoring droughts have been something Illinois has struggled with this season. Even though every team goes through scoring droughts every game, it seems like scoring droughts affect Illinois more than most. Scoring droughts has been the reason why Illinois has lost or been in close games this season.

Near the end of the game against Nebraska, Illinois shot 1-of-9 from the field. Also, early in the Nebraska game, Illinois was up 26-16 and then the Cornhuskers cut that lead down to 26-24 thanks to a drought.

In the last game against Northwestern, a scoring drought by Illinois let the Wildcats back in the game after having them down by nine points with three minutes left.

The problems with scoring droughts is that you either let the opposing team back in the game or you let them pull away. That has happened to Illinois multiple times this season. It happened against Maryland twice, Iowa, Michigan State twice, Missouri and Rutgers.

If Illinois can avoid the three-plus minute scoring drought, then they will have a good chance of winning the game against Northwestern on Thursday night.

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