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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over UCLA

By Rees Woodcock

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs onto the court to celebrate with teammates after their 79-70 victory over the UCLA Bruins during the Continental Tire Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs onto the court to celebrate with teammates after their 79-70 victory over the UCLA Bruins during the Continental Tire Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Nov 18, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) shoots against UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark (0) during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) shoots against UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark (0) during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

4. National title awaits if Illinois can hit three-pointers at that clip

Illinois has been so close to winning a national title in the past. We have had some pretty talented teams over the past four decades that could have reached the pinnacle of the college basketball world.

This season, the Illini have done a lot of things well. One of the best attributes of this Illinois program is the fact we can hit the three-point shot well.

In the last game against Monmouth, the Illini shot 14-of-33 from three-point range, which comes out to 42.4%. That is an insane number that is hard to stop. But, against UCLA, Illinois would end up topping that number.

The Illini would end up shooting 12-of-25 from behind the three-point arc, which comes out to 48%. When one single player in a game shoots 48% it is impressive, let alone an entire team.

Illinois’ great performance against the Bruins also boosted the season average for the program. We are now shooting 38.7% from three-point range for the season, which ranks No. 58 in the nation.

I have to give a ton of the credit for Illinois’ great three-point shooting ability to Terrence Shannon Jr. He went 8-of-9 by himself against UCLA. But, overall, the Illini have some great shooters from deep. I love what Jayden Epps can do beyond the three-point arc. Matthew Mayer can hit shots from deep when in stride as well.

Illinois has the three-point horses to win a lot of games this season. If we can continue hitting our three-pointers north of 40%, then there is a legit shot we can win a national title this year.

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