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

Illinois basketball has a chance to move up the Big Ten standings on Saturday with a win over Rutgers.

The Illini haven’t been in action for a week now, as the last time we saw them was in a tough loss by two points to Iowa. Illinois now starts an intense stretch of four games in nine days.

On Saturday, I want to see a victory over Rutgers first and foremost. But I am also going to be watching a few things in the game.

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

1. Will Illinois hold Rutgers to under 60 points

Illinois has one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. Even when we fall to teams, the Illini defense seems to keep us in games.

In the last two games at the State Farm Center, Illinois is giving up just 58 points per game. In the last four home games, we are giving up 65.5 points per game, and this includes an 80-point night out of Indiana.

So, on Saturday, I am going to be watching to see if Illinois can hold Rutgers to a low number. I firmly believe the Illini can keep the Scarlet Knights to under 60 points.

Illinois is only giving up 64.1 points per game this season, which ranks No. 31 in the country. There is not one area of the floor we lack. We have great guarding guards, and multiple 6-foot-9 or taller forwards and centers who can man the paint.

On the other side, Rutgers is only scoring 70.5 points per game this season, which ranks No. 180 in the nation. They aren’t shooting the ball well either. The Scarlet Knights are only hitting 43.7% of their shots from the field and 32.2% from three-point range, which ranks No. 208 and No. 269 in the nation, respectively.