Illinois Basketball: 4 big statistics from the Illini win over Wisconsin

2. 16.7%

One of the things that made me nervous about Wisconsin was their three-point shooting. This Badgers’ bunch was one of the top teams in the nation, hitting 37.6-percent of their three-point shots, which ranked No. 37 nationally.

Entering the game on Saturday, I was thinking Illinois couldn’t be lazy closing out on the Wisconsin three-point shooters. This game could have been a dogfight if the Illini weren’t working through screens but rather around them. That didn’t happen, though.

Wisconsin finished their loss against Illinois shooting 16.7-percent from three-point land.

I was shocked how badly the Badgers shot the three-point ball. Wisconsin’s 16.7-percent from distance is a tie for the lowest three-point percentage Illinois has given up this season. Chicago State also shot 16.7-percent from three.

Defensively, Illinois was extremely impressive against Wisconsin. They clearly made it a point throughout their practices between games to make sure to get the hand up when closing out on an offensive player. This, at least, put a hand in the face of a three-point shooter to throw their shot off.

I was also impressed with Illinois fighting through screens. They didn’t try to go around the screener, which would give the shooter space for a free shot from three-point range. The Illini defenders stuck with their man and didn’t let up. Illinois’ defense was suffocating.