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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Michigan Wolverines

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 23, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) reacts during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Keep Michigan off the three-point arc

When a team is only attempting 20.1 three-point shots per game, you would think that the three-point arc wouldn’t be a problem. That isn’t the case with Michigan.

The Wolverines are No. 235 in the nation in three-point attempts. But what scares me the most about the Maize and Blue is the conversion rate on their three-pointers. Michigan is hitting their three-pointers at a clip of 39-percent, which ranks No. 11 in the nation.

So, when you break the three-point numbers down, Michigan is hitting about eight three-pointers per game this season. When the opposing team hits eight or more three-point shots against the Illini this season, the Orange and Blue are 4-3. That means when teams hit fewer than eight three-pointers, Illinois is 14-3.

What needs to happen for the Illini to beat Michigan? Keep them off the three-point arc. Don’t closeout with your hand down. Make sure you are making them uncomfortable when trying to come around screens. Don’t go around screens either. Make sure you are right next to your man and not getting lazy.

It is easier said than done considering Michigan has been so good this season. As long as Illinois is putting in the effort defensively on the three-point arc, they should be in this game for the entirety.

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