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Illinois Basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Northwestern

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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26CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Marcus Carr (5) drives to the basket during 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)
26CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Marcus Carr (5) drives to the basket during 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) /

2. Be consistent on defense

A big reason why the Illinois basketball program will finally have a chance to make it back to the NCAA tournament is because of the defense.  The defense has probably been one of the best things to watch for Illinois.

Trent Frazier, Andres Feliz, Ayo Dosunmu, Da’Monte Williams and Kofi Cockburn have all made their presence felt on the defensive side of the court this season. Those players have been a big reason why this defense has been so daunting for opposing teams.

The Illinois defense has come up clutch this season. Games against Rutgers, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan and Minnesota have been when the defense has shined its brightest. Illinois’ defense currently ranks at No. 56 in the nation in defensive efficiency and No. 48 in points allowed per game.

Northwestern is a bad team when it comes to offense. The Wildcats rank No. 310 in scoring offense and No. 263 in offensive efficiency in the nation. So, these numbers are showing that Northwestern is failing to put the ball in the hoop, and they aren’t efficient on the offensive end at all.

The offensive shortcomings by Northwestern are why the Illini just need to play consistent defense.

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