Illinois Basketball: 4 keys for the Illini to beat the Drexel Dragons
4. Efficiency
The biggest thing I want Illinois to focus on and a huge key to winning the game is just to be efficient. Let’s play a crisp game that we can build on moving forward in the tournament.
There are some metrics that Drexel does well that worry me when it comes to efficiency. They only average 15.2 fouls per game, which ranks No. 31 in the nation. That means they are smart about how they play defense. Illinois can’t rely on getting to the foul line, and they will have to make shots.
Illinois has been better in the turnover department as of late, though. This is an area of efficiency I like to see, and the fewer turnovers the more likely this ends up being a blowout. Drexel also doesn’t force a ton of turnovers. They are only forcing 10.8 turnovers per game, which ranks No. 327 in the nation.
The final efficiency point I want to point out is the assist-to-turnover ratio. Illinois was extremely sloppy with the ball earlier this season, but they have done a great job of reeling in the turnovers and becoming more of a ball distribution program.
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Through the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini have an ATR of 1.238, which ranks No. 44 in the nation. That means they are one of the most efficient teams in college basketball. As long as we stay above an ATR of 1.00, then Illinois should come out with an easy win over the Dragons.