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

3. Does Illinois finish with a wide rebounding margin

Losing a player like Kofi Cockburn should hurt the Illinois basketball team when it comes to rebounding the basketball. But, this season, the Illini have hit the glass strong.

It is early in the season, but Illinois currently averages 43.7 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 12 in the country. This is also 5.2 rebounds over the team average from last season when we had Kofi on the floor. Again, the season is young.

Coming into the game against UCLA on Friday night, I am going to be watching to see if Illinois can win the rebounding battle. We need a big margin on the glass, and I think it can happen.

The Bruins aren’t a great rebounding team by any means. They are only pulling down 37.3 rebounds per game this season, which ranks No. 123 in the country. I realize that Illinois hasn’t played anyone yet, and that is why our rebounding is high. But UCLA hasn’t played anyone either, and their rebounding trails the Illini greatly.

I think a big reason the Bruins aren’t good at rebounding is the fact they are a guard-heavy team, as mentioned in the previous slide. UCLA is more of a perimeter team, so getting second-chance points is not exactly their specialty.

Illinois is going to need to run up the rebounding margin on Friday night, and I believe we have the horses to do so. I love the rebounding ability of Coleman Hawkins and Dain Dainja, both are 6-foot-9 or taller and athletic. They both could hit double-digit rebounds.

Don’t underestimate the Illinois guards and wings when it comes to rebounding either. The Illini currently have a total of seven players who are averaging at least three rebounds per game. We need the rebounding margin to be wide against UCLA.