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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Wisconsin Badgers

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; IIllinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) bumps fists with coaches after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; IIllinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) bumps fists with coaches after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) passes the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) passes the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Keep the turnover differential close

Even if Illinois is able to do the first two slides of this article, if they are turning the ball over at a much higher clip than Wisconsin, none of it will matter.

Winning the turnover battle is something Illinois hasn’t been great at this season. They are currently coughing up the ball at a clip of 13.2 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 151 in the nation.

Shockingly, against Indiana on Tuesday, the Illini were able to win the turnover margin by +5. This was big in their victory. Illinois struggled in the Iowa game, though. The turnover margin that night was -6. Just imagine if the turnover margin was much closer to zero. Illinois would have won that game by more than just five points.

While Illinois is just about average nationally when it comes to turnovers, Wisconsin is a much more efficient program. The Badgers are only turning the ball over at a clip of 9.2 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 3 in the nation. Yes, that is right, they are the third-best team in turnovers.

So, what does this mean? It means Illinois needs to focus on ball control and not coughing it up so much. Everyone on the team is guilty of sloppy play. I would say if we keep the turnover margin at -3 or better, then we can come away with the win. That is the goal I have for the Illini.

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