Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini at Purdue

Illinois basketball gets their rematch against one of the toughest teams in the Purdue Boilermakers.

Game one went in favor of Purdue. The Illini were able to take the Boilermakers to double overtime only to fall just short. But things could be different for the second game between these two giants. . There are a few questions that will be answered tonight.

Here are four big questions for the Illinois basketball team at Purdue.

1. Can Illinois not get into a hole early?

We all witnessed the first game between Illinois and Purdue this season. The Illini got into an 11-point hole in the first half which they had to dig out of just to send the game into overtime.

At one point in the first half, Purdue actually had their lead up to 13 points. Illinois would only end up scoring 26 points in the first half, which is something that is not usual for this program.

This season, the Illini have been one of the better scoring first half teams. We are averaging 35.6 points per game in the first half, which ranks No. 58 in the country. Giving up that many points in the first half isn’t usual either.

Purdue would put up a 37-spot on the Illini in game one this season. Illinois is currently averaging 30 points per game given up in the first half, which is No. 46 in the country.

Illinois did not play a good first half of basketball against the Boilermakers back in January. I look for the Orange and Blue to be closer to their season averages in the first half this time around. Can Illinois not get into a hole early in this game again? That is a big question for Tuesday night.