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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Arizona

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) reacts after making a dunk during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Nov 29, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cormac Ryan (5) drives the ball past Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois basketball has their biggest challenge of the season on Saturday when No. 11 Arizona comes to Champaign.

The Wildcats have matched up against the Illini various times over the past couple of decades. One of those matchups included one of the best comebacks in basketball history when Illinois took down Arizona in the Elite Eight back in 2005.

Arizona is bringing a tough team to the matchup this season. They are 8-0 with one of the best offenses and defenses in the country. There will be a few things I will be watching out for on Saturday in this matchup.

Here are four big questions for the Illinois basketball team against Arizona.

1. Can the Illinois defense hold up?

Even if shots were not going in, the Illini would always pride themselves on defense. The defense would keep us in just about every game.

But this season has been different. Illinois’ defense has been average, especially recently. In the last four games alone, the Illini are giving up 72.75 points per game, and that includes a solid performance against Rutgers where we only surrendered 51 points.

As a defensive unit, Illinois is giving up 65.9 points per game for the season, which ranks No. 102 in the nation. That is okay, but I would like for that number to be in the top 100.

On Saturday, Illinois’ defense is going to be tested. They will be challenged like they haven’t been challenged this season. The Illini will be going up against the Arizona Wildcats, who have the best offense in the country.

Through eight games this season, the Wildcats are averaging 91.6 points per game, which ranks No. 1 in the nation. They have scored at least 80 points in all eight games, have eclipsed 90 points in five contests, and even hit the 100-point mark on two different occasions.

The Illini defense is going to be tested on Saturday. I am going to watch to see if we can hold Arizona to a respectable point total. Can Da’Monte Williams and Trent Frazier bring their best defensive effort? These are our two stalwarts on the defensive end of the court. It is definitely something to watch out for against Arizona.

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