Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat Minnesota

After a tough loss to Missouri on Saturday, the Illinois basketball team is looking to rebound with a big win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Illinois is still licking their wounds. It was a loss that knocked the Illini outside the top 10 nationally. But now with a chip on their shoulders, Illinois is looking to come into the first game of the Big Ten season and get a big win ever an undefeated Minnesota bunch. A few things will need to happen for the Illini to come out victorious, though.

Here are four keys for the Illini to beat Minnesota.

1. Keep playing tough perimeter defense

Illinois has prided themselves on a few things, one being their tough perimeter defense. The Illini continue to impress with how well their guards can guard around the three-point line.

Minnesota has some talented guards who can put up points. As a team, they are averaging 84.2 points per game, which ranks No. 24 in the nation. This is a great number that is bolstered by guard, Marcus Carr.

Carr has started the 2020-21 campaign off hot. He is averaging 23.8 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per contest. Carr is putting up these numbers at an efficient rate as well, as he is shooting 48.5-percent from the field and an outstanding 39.4-percent from three-point range.

Illinois doesn’t just have to worry about Carr on the perimeter, though. The Gophers also have Both Gach on the wing. He is a 6-foot-6 monster who can hit shots from anywhere. Gach is averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while hitting shots at a clip of 56.4-percent from the field and 40-percent from three-point range.

Minnesota’s offense is stout, and it starts with their guard play. Illinois’ guards have played well on the perimeter this season, and if they can continue doing that on Tuesday night, they should come away with another win.