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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Ohio Bobcats

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 25, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) hits a three point shot during the second half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) hits a three point shot during the second half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) goes up for a shot against the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Win the rebounding battle

Both Illinois and Ohio have played the same teams to start the season, so their stats should be similar if they were evenly matched heading into the final game of the round-robin tournament.

I am impressed with Ohio’s ability to rebound the ball. This is an area that Illinois will have the advantage most of the time, but it might not be that big of an advantage on Friday afternoon against the Bobcats.

Through two games this season, Ohio is averaging 38.5 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 65 in the nation. That is a solid number with the pinnacle of their rebounding coming against North Carolina A&T. The Bobcats outrebounded the Aggies 44-31 in that game.

While Ohio is a solid rebounding team, the Illini have started on an incredible pace. Through two games, Illinois is averaging 58.5 rebounds per game. I have never seen anything like it. Just last season, the Illini only averaged 39.4 rebounds per game.

With two solid rebounding teams, the winner of the rebounding category has a good chance at winning the game.

Ohio doesn’t have a traditional big man but more of a solid group of guards and forwards who can all rebound well. Each starter in the game against North Carolina A&T had at least four rebounds. Illinois, on the other hand, has a few big men who can pull down rebounds consistently. They also have some solid rebounding guards.

For Illinois to continue being undefeated, they will need to outrebound Ohio. I think it is a strong possibility this happens, but you can’t overlook the Bobcats.

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