Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat Maryland

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 7, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts from the bench after Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) makes a three point basket in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts from the bench after Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) makes a three point basket in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
Dec 15, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team is on a quest to win their fifth game in a row, but the only thing standing in their way is the Maryland Terrapins.

Illinois takes on a struggling Maryland bunch on Sunday night. Despite the Terrapins losing three-straight, they have played well at times this season. Just four games ago, they beat No. 6 Wisconsin on the road. So, anything can happen.

There are a few keys to beating Maryland on Sunday night. If Illinois can just follow these keys, then everything should be alright.

Here are four keys for the Illini to beat Maryland.

1. Keep the rebounding margin

Mentioned in pretty much every “keys to beating” article that is put together, Illinois enters the game on Sunday night against Maryland needing to keep the average rebounding margin the same.

Illinois is obviously one of the best rebounding teams in the nation with Kofi Cockburn anchoring the team in the paint. The mountain of a man is averaging 10.1 rebounds per game by himself. His great season has the team as a collective averaging 41.9 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 16 in the nation.

On the same note, the Illini aren’t allowing opposing teams to pull down too many rebounds either. With Kofi’s ability to rebound and some great guard rebounding, Illinois is only giving up 28.7 rebounds per game to the other team.

Maryland is entering the game on Sunday night in hopes of upsetting the Illini. They are going to need to rebound a lot better than they have all season, though.

The Terrapins are averaging 34.3 rebounds per game in 2020-21, which ranks No. 210 in the nation. They are about even in the rebounding margin in each game this season, as Maryland is giving up 33.1 rebounds per game to their opponents.

One way Illinois can aide a victory tonight is by pulling down rebounds. If the Illini can keep the rebounding margin the same by pulling down 41.9 rebounds and only giving up 34.3 rebounds, then I think we snag another Big Ten win.

Home/Illinois Basketball