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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Iowa Hawkeyes

By Collin Allen

Feb 2, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) and Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) battle for the opening tipoff during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) and Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) battle for the opening tipoff during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) and Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jamari Wheeler (5) reach for the loose ball during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Illinois defeated Penn State 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Guard the perimeter

Another glaring problem for the Orange and Blue this season has been guarding the perimeter.  The Fighting Illini have a tendency to leave opposing players wide open for uncontested three-point shots.

This has been a notable feat in a few of the Illini’s losses this season.  In their December 20 loss at Rutgers, the Illini allowed Scarlet Knights star forward Ron Harper Jr. to shoot many uncontested three-point jumpers.  Harper would finish that game with 28 points by shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Additionally, in Illinois’ January 10 loss versus Maryland, they let Terrapins forward Donta Scott shoot 3-of-4 (75-percent) from three-point land.  Overall, the Illini would let Maryland make eight three-point attempts in their 66-63 loss.

If the Illini want any shot at knocking off No. 7 Iowa, head coach Brad Underwood can not let his team give this Hawkeyes program many uncontested three-point attempts, as four Iowa players are shooting at least 40-percent from beyond the arc this year.  Sophomore guard CJ Frederick leads the team, shooting a phenomenal 50-percent from distance.

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