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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Duke Blue Devils

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with guard Andre Curbelo (5) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in the second half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with guard Andre Curbelo (5) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in the second half against the Baylor Bears at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) slam dunks during the second half against the Ohio Bobcats at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) slam dunks during the second half against the Ohio Bobcats at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Illinois needs to remain strong on the glass

I would argue, this is the best rebounding team I have seen Illinois have in the last decade. We are able to pull down boards with the best of the best.

Illinois was about even with Baylor, only losing the rebounding category by three rebounds, 38-35. Only having 35 rebounds and giving up 38 rebounds are both below average for the Illini this season. On Tuesday, rebounding is going to a big key to getting the victory over Duke.

Watching the rebounding matchup of Illinois versus Duke is going to be fun. The Illini currently average 49.2 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 3 in the nation, while Duke checks in with 42.7 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 26 in the nation.

What could end up being the deciding factor in the rebounding margin is how many rebounds each team allows. Illinois has been the best team in the country this year, only giving up 22.8 rebounds per contest. Meanwhile, Duke allows 34.7 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 105 in the nation. Illinois has a chance to outrebound the Blue Devils as they give up a lot of boards to opposing teams.

The more rebounds Illinois can pull down, the more chances they will have at scoring the basketball. Both teams are pretty solid at rebounding, but if Illinois can win the rebounding margin by 5-8 rebounds, then I think this game will end up going the way of the Orange and Blue.

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