Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini against Michigan

4. Can the Illini defense bring the fire?

There are few consistencies with the Illinois basketball program over the past five-game winning streak. One of those consistencies is the tremendous defense the program has been playing.

Since Brad Underwood took the reins, Illinois has been known for their great defense. But, to start the 2021-22 campaign, the Illini defense wasn’t looking so good. Through the Arizona game on December 11, Illinois was giving up 67.6 points per game, which ranked No. 137 in the country.

After that loss to the Wildcats, Illinois has played lockdown defense. Only one time did we give up more than 70 points, and that was to a hot-shooting Nebraska squad. In the five-game winning streak since the Arizona loss, the Illini have averaged giving up just 59.8 points per game.

For the season, Illinois is now giving up just 65 points per game, which ranks No. 61 in the country. That is a great improvement and one of the reasons we are now 5-0 in Big Ten play.

Illinois’ great defense really showed up last season in the lone matchup against Michigan. The Wolverines were only able to put up 53 points on 34.7% shooting from the field. They were only 28.6% from three-point range as well.

On Friday night, I will be watching to see if the Illini can continue bringing the defensive fire. Michigan is going to take this game personally, so they will have a little extra gas. Can we shut the Wolverines’ offense down early and often? That is going to be a key to this game.