Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Ohio State

By Jalen Wilson

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Andres Feliz #10 and Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 01: Andres Feliz #10 and Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) clinches his fists as he gets into a defensive position 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) /

3. Play with effort on defense

This game will be decided by which team defense will play better for forty minutes. Both Illinois and Ohio State defenses are good. Illinois allows 64.7 points per game, which ranks No. 46 in the nation. The Illini will be up for a test as the Buckeyes average 72.2 PPG.

Illinois’ defense has been able to hold opponents to less than their scoring average this season. Michigan was one of those teams. They average 75 PPG, but Illinois held the Wolverines to 62 points in both of their matchups.

The Illini were able to hold Penn State to just 56 points despite the Nittany Lions averaging 75.4 PPG this season. Illinois’ suffocating defense is able to hold teams to fewer points than they are used to.

Playing with effort is something I think this Illini team has prided themselves on this season. Showing effort on defense is important because it show players want to win. It has been shown time and time again that Illinois players aren’t scared to play aggressive on defense.

Next. Illini are the big winners of Super Tuesday. dark

Da’monte Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Andres Feliz, Kofi Cockburn and Trent Frazier will be players to watch on defense this game. Ohio State will be a test on Thursday, but this Orange and Blue program is up for the tough task.

Home/Illinois Basketball