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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 26, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Alfonso Plummer (11) shoots the ball during the first half against the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Can Plummer break Arizona’s great defense?

The great start by Alfonso Plummer has been documented. The kid joined the Illinois program and has shown why he was such a coveted transfer commitment.

Plummer has put up at least 21 points in five-straight games, which includes a 30-point performance against UT Rio Grande Valley. For the season, he is averaging 15.8 points per game while hitting 47.3% of his shots and 43.1% of his three-pointers.

While Plummer has been putting up big numbers, can he do it against a tough Arizona defense? The Wildcats are only giving up 59.5 points per game this season, which ranks No. 23 in the nation.

One of the best parts about the Wildcats’ defense is defending the three-point line. As a defensive unit, Arizona is only surrendering a three-point shooting percentage of 27.7%, which ranks No. 36 in the nation. That is a tough defensive team that specializes in shutting down players like Plummer.

But this isn’t the first great defensive team Plummer has played this season. In his breakout game, Plummer put up 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from three-point range against Kansas State. That Wildcats team is also stout on the defensive end. They are only giving up 59.1 points per game and 24.6% from three-point range, which ranks No. 18 and No. 5, respectively.

So, while Plummer is going up against one of the best defensive teams in the country on Saturday, he has already torn up one great defensive team this season. Can he do it again? That is something to keep an eye on.

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