Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes

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Michigan guard Eli Brooks (55) makes a layup against Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) and center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. /

Illinois basketball is rounding out their 2020-21 campaign with a top 10 matchup against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes got the best of the Illini the first time around, but these two teams are heading in opposite directions right now. Ohio State has dropped three-straight games while Illinois has now won three-straight games.

Ohio State played well in the first game between the two teams. Illinois can’t let that happen again, though. There are a few things the Illini need to do to secure the victory.

Here are four keys for the Illini to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes.

1. Can’t let Ohio State get hot

There aren’t a lot of teams that can compete with Illinois when it comes to three-point percentage. The Illini are hitting their three-point shots at a clip of 38.3-percent, which ranks No. 12 in the nation.

Ohio State isn’t too far behind the Orange and Blue, though. The Buckeyes have hit 36.4-percent of their three-point shots this season, which ranks No. 41 in the nation. While that is good, Illinois has experienced what Ohio State can do when they get hot.

In the first game against the Buckeyes, the Illini gave up a lot of points. Ohio State was hitting what seemed liked every shot they took. They shot 53.7-percent from the field, but what killed Illinois the most was the 52.4-percent Ohio State shot from beyond the three-point arc.

When you give up over 50-percent shooting from distance, there is a strong possibility that you will lose that game. That is what happened to the Illini. The fact we only lost by six points is nothing short of a miracle.

I do believe this was more of an outlier game, though. Illinois is an okay team when it comes to three-point defense, as they only give up 33.1-percent from distance, which ranks No. 140 in the nation. So, Ohio State shot 20-percent over Illinois’ average from three-point range in that game.

As long as Illinois isn’t lazy on closeouts and getting around screens, we should be fine. If we can keep Ohio State’s three-point shooting to somewhere around 38-percent or lower, then I think we win this game.

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