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Illinois Basketball: 4 big questions for the Illini vs Michigan

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5) gets around Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) in the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5) gets around Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) in the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will the Illini defense reign supreme?

One thing Illinois used to pride themselves on is playing strong defense. We used to be able to shut teams down and that would help us get through scoring droughts.

Defense has lacked the past few games, though. Illinois’ defense has dissolved, and that is why we have lost three out of the past five games.

On February 6, Illinois was averaging giving up 65.5 points per game, which ranked No. 61 in the nation. That was before the past five games the Illini played. In this stretch of five games, Illinois has given up an average of 76 points per game. That means Illinois is giving up nearly 11 more points than their season average in the past five games.

It is hard to win when Illinois is giving up that many points. That means the offense has to be on or we are going to lose the game. Thankfully, Illinois’ defense has turned things up a notch when playing Michigan.

The defensive consistency against the Wolverines has been impressive. Illinois has played two games against Michigan in the past two seasons, and in each game, the Wolverines have only scored 53 points.

Illinois’ three-point defense has been particularly good against Michigan the past two seasons. The Wolverines have combined going 3-of-17 from the three-point arc in the two games.

So, on Sunday, a big question I have is will the Illinois defense reign supreme once again? We have dominated Michigan due to our defense the past two seasons. I would like to see it happen at least one more time this year as well.

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