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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 29: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts toward the student section during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at State Farm Center on November 29, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 29: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts toward the student section during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at State Farm Center on November 29, 2021 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball
Mar 12, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) defends against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ron Harper Jr. (24) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Can the Illini contain Ron Harper Jr.?

Rutgers has not started the season off well, as they are now 4-3 and have lost three out of their last four games.

In the group of losses for the Scarlet Knights was a stinker to Lafayette 53-51. Rutgers is not playing good basketball, to say the least.

But the Scarlet Knights rebounded nicely to beat Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Ron Harper Jr. led the way for Rutgers with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while going 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Rutgers hasn’t done particularly well against Illinois since Harper has joined the program, though. The Scarlet Knights are just 2-3 against the Illini with Harper on the court. If he wasn’t playing, I would imagine their record would have been 0-5 against the Orange and Blue.

In the five contests against Illinois, Harper is averaging 20 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 44% from three-point range. That 44% from deep includes an 0-of-7 night back in 2018 when Harper was a freshman.

I think saying Harper has done well against Illinois might be an understatement. He has the Illini’s number. On Friday night, I will be watching to see if we can stop Harper from dominating once again. This will be a challenge with his great size and shooting ability. It is a test I want Illinois to pass.

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