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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Nebraska

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 06: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the ball during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 06: Jacob Grandison #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shoots the ball during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. Is this a shooting slump?

Illinois basketball has been one of the best teams in the country this season when it comes to three-point shooting. The great three-point shooting is why this program continues to win games.

In nine of the 14 games this season, Illinois has shot over 40% from three-point range. They are also hitting their deep shots at a clip of 38.8% on the year. That great three-point shooting lands the Orange and Blue at No. 17 nationally.

While those numbers are fantastic, Illinois did hit a rough patch in their last game. Despite taking down Maryland, the Terrapins held the Illini to just 26.7% from three-point range. This was the third-lowest three-point shooting total this season.

What went wrong for the Illini against Maryland? No one really shot well. The best three-point shooter we had against the Terrapins was Trent Frazier. He only made 36% of his shots, though. Jacob Grandison hit 20%, Alfonso Plummer was at 25%, Da’Monte Williams was at 25%, and Coleman Hawkins missed both of his attempts.

On Tuesday night against the Cornhuskers, I am going to be watching to see if the Maryland game was just a bad showing from three-point range. Was it just a fluke bad outing with everyone shooting poorly? Or was it the beginning of a slump? That is something I am keeping an eye on against Nebraska.

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