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
2 of 4
Next
Illinois basketball
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 /

2. Have to be more disciplined

I think it is fair to say Illinois is undisciplined at times. This doesn’t have to do with coaching but more with young talent and players trying to get their own.

There are two areas I want Illinois to tighten up on Sunday night. The first one is turnovers.

Illinois has been sloppy with the ball for most of the season. Currently, they are averaging 13.9 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 181 in the nation. That is below average. The turnover issues are really a team-wide thing. We have six players getting over 10 minutes in each game who average over one turnover per game.

The scary part is, Maryland is more disciplined than the Illini. They are only giving up 10.8 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 22 in the nation. That means, if the numbers hold true, the Terrapins will have three more chances to score the ball. That could turn into between 6-9 points.

Another area of the court I want to see Illinois more disciplined is in the foul department.

The Illini need to keep Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu on the floor. These two are the main drivers for the success of the program. Without them, we are a bubble team, at best. But Illinois fouls way too much and it has got us in trouble this season.

Illinois currently averages 18.3 fouls per game, which ranks No. 194 in the nation. Again, this is below average. On the flip side, Maryland is only fouling 15 times per game, which ranks No. 18 in the nation. That is three more fouls on Illinois, which could potentially send the Terrapins to the free throw line for points or, at best, gets us in foul trouble.

Home/Illinois Basketball