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Illinois Basketball: 3 things to watch for in the Illini game against UCLA

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 14: Dain Dainja #42 of the Illinois Fighting Illini takes a shot over Amaan Sandhu #33 of the Monmouth Hawks at State Farm Center on November 14, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Illinois basketball is set to have a big weekend as we enter the Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas.

The first game for the Illini is against No. 8 UCLA. We finally get a shot at a quality team, and I think this could end up being our coming-out party.

Illinois has been playing some great basketball to start the season. We have solid starters and our bench is looking like it could compete with a majority of teams around the country. This should be a good game. At a minimum, it will be a measuring stick to see where the Illini are as a team this early in the year.

Here are three things to watch for in the Illinois basketball game against UCLA.

1. Can UCLA contain Dain Dainja

Illinois has plenty of talent up and down the roster, but I would argue the most impressive player for the program this season has been Dain Dainja.

Dainja is coming off his worst game of the season against Monmouth where he would put up 15 points, four rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist while shooting 7-of-9 from the field. Yes, that is his worst game thus far.

Dainja is averaging 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game for the season. It has been quite the tear so far for the second rotation big man. That is why, against UCLA, I will be watching to see if anyone can stop Dainja in the paint.

UCLA will have a couple of options when trying to slow down Dainja. I would say Adem Bona is the best option for the Bruins. He is a 6-foot-10, 235-pound freshman averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.

The other option would be Kenneth Nwuba, who is a 6-foot-10, 255-pound senior. Nwuba is averaging 3.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game this season.

The Bruins are a guard-heavy program. I am not sure they have the firepower to contain Dainja. This is something I will be keeping an eye on Friday night.

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