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
3 of 4
Next
Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) drives the ball to the basket during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) drives the ball to the basket during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Keep getting the ball inside

Wait, what? This doesn’t make any sense. Illinois is a good three-point shooting team but I’m saying for them to keep getting the ball inside. Why?

Yes, on paper Illinois is hitting their three-point shots at a clip of 41.7-percent. That is a great number and ranks No. 4 in the nation. But, if you expand those numbers out, you will see that the majority of Illinois’ points aren’t coming from the three-point shot.

In fact, the Illini are one of the worst teams in the country in points from the three-point arc. Illinois currently averages having 27.3-percent of their points come from the three-point arc, which ranks No. 252 in the nation. This is in the bottom third of all teams in DI basketball.

Breaking the numbers down a little further, the Illini actually only have 18.1-percent of their points come from the free throw line as well. That means 54.5-percent of Illinois’ points are coming from two-point range.

This brings me back to my original point, keep getting the ball inside.

When I say keep getting the ball inside, I don’t just mean get it to Kofi Cockburn. Although, Kofi is the No. 1 option because of his size, but there are plenty of scoring options inside the three-point arc.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili has developed nicely this season. His touch is way better than last year, as he is averaging 6.2 points per game and hitting his shots at a clip of 62.3-percent. I also like the driving ability of a few players.

Illinois needs to get the guards driving to the basketball. Ayo Dosunmu getting in the lane and making a play is optimal. He can score at ease within 15 feet of the basket, whether it is a pull-up jumper or getting to the rim.

I also love the slashing ability of Andre Curbelo. The kid is more of a distributor, but he can get to the basket for a unique layup. He is also amazing at the wrap-around pass to the big man when defenses collapse.

Home/Illinois Basketball