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Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

By Rees Woodcock

Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) turns the ball over against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and guard Da'Monte Williams (20) during the second half of their game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 6, 2021.Osu Mens Bbk 0306 Kwr 31
Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) turns the ball over against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and guard Da'Monte Williams (20) during the second half of their game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 6, 2021.Osu Mens Bbk 0306 Kwr 31 /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) dribbles defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Mike Smith (12) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Keep Curbelo involved

Illinois had quite a few players earn different honors this season. Ayo Dousnmu and Kofi Cockburn are the most notable nationally, but we also had Andre Curbelo make the Big Ten All-Freshman team.

Curbelo has been amazing for the Illini this season. His 8.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game have been invaluable in the run the Orange and Blue have been on. His play has elevated to a new level most recently as well.

The superstar freshman has now scored at least 10 points in the last five games. In this stretch, he has averaged 15 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Those are extremely impressive numbers for a senior, let alone someone who is in his first year of college basketball.

Sadly, Curbelo wasn’t much of a factor in the first game against Rutgers. He had 4 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds in the game, and he managed to foul out of the contest as well. But, as mentioned in a previous slide, this is a different Illinois squad.

Curbelo has continued to get more acclimated to the college game over the past couple of months. He isn’t nearly as raw as he was in the first half of the season. Illinois has been getting him more involved in the action as well.

Illinois can win this game if they continue to keep Curbelo squarely in the mix. He needs the ball in his hands. This kid is more creative than Bob Ross in his prime. Keep Curbelo involved, and we should move onto the Final Four of the Big Ten Tournament.

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