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Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 18: Adalia McKenzie #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on January 18, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 18: Adalia McKenzie #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on January 18, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Dec 4, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; The Big Ten logo displayed on the court before the game between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; The Big Ten logo displayed on the court before the game between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 3-point range is still a struggle

At one time this season, Illinois was one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. The ability to shoot from distance carried us through a lot of tough games.

But the Illini have hit a brick wall when it comes to three-point shooting as of late. On Sunday, Minnesota held Illinois to just 4-of-13 shooting from three-point range. While 30.7% is a bad number from distance, this has started to become a norm for the Orange and Blue.

Over the past six games, Illinois has shot 28-of-105 from three-point range, which comes out to 26.7%. This includes a 4-of-26 outing in the loss to Purdue.

But even when Illinois isn’t shooting well from three-point range, we are still competing night in and night out. The worst loss this season was against Michigan, and we even had that game within 10 points late in the contest.

As I said earlier, there have been times this season when our three-point shooting has carried us. Just look at the big upset win over Iowa. Illinois shot 7-of-17 from three-point range. If we can find our three-point shooting again, I believe the Illini can make a run in the Big Ten Tournament, and don’t be shocked if we make a run in the Big Dance as well.

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