Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Nebraska

2. Another efficient game by the Illini

Illinois basketball hasn’t exactly been the most efficient team in the country this season. We turn the ball over way more than we should.

Coming into the Nebraska game, the Illini were averaging 14.9 turnovers per game. That many turnovers also kills our assist-to-turnover ratio, which was at 0.955 leading up to Tuesday night. Both of these numbers ranked No. 316 and No. 195 in the nation, respectively.

With that being said, whatever Brad Underwood has done to get this team right, it is working. Illinois has been a much more efficient team as of late, and we are winning games.

Against Nebraska, the Illini managed to finish the game with 14 assists to 11 turnovers. This was the second consecutive game we have had more assists than turnovers, and the third game out of the last four contests.

There is a clear divide when it comes to efficiency as well. When Illinois has more assists than turnovers in a game this season, we are 7-0. When the program has more turnovers than assists, we are 4-5.

Illinois is playing a much better brand of basketball as of late. We are passing with a purpose. We aren’t trying to showboat anymore. This feels like an actual team. On top of that, no one is being extremely sloppy with the ball. The highest turnover total for a player on Tuesday night was two turnovers. That is what I like to see.