Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Miller Kopp (10) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Miller Kopp (10) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) during the second half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Continue with the solid defense

With so many issues going on for the Illinois offense, one area of the court for the Orange and Blue that isn’t having problems is the defense.

I realize we just gave up 81 points to Michigan State. That doesn’t look good, but we haven’t played a team like the Spartans this season. Michigan State was a throwback from the 1990s with their ability to hit the mid-range jumper. Illinois is used to playing against teams that either shoot the three-point shot or dump the ball down inside the paint.

For the most part, though, I have been impressed with Illinois’ defense. In the prior five games, the Illini had given up fewer than 70 points in regulation, which is an impressive feat in the Big Ten. That defense is the main reason why we beat Nebraska in game one.

The defense for the Illini held Nebraska to just 36.9-percent shooting from the field in the first game. They only scored 66 points in regulation, so this should have been an easy win for Illinois. On top of the Cornhuskers only hitting 36.9-percent of their shots, they only hit 35-percent of their three-point attempts as well.

Next. 4 observations from the Illini loss to Michigan State. dark

I don’t believe any issues Illinois has with the team right now are due to their defensive efforts. The Illinois defense has done good enough this season to win just about every game. Offensive woes are what is biting us in the butt. If we can continue playing tough defense, we will be in any game. I expect the Illini defense to clamp down on the Cornhuskers and hold them to fewer than 70 points once again.

Home/Illinois Basketball