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

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Jan 31, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) reacts after scoring a basket during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Can Matthew Mayer have a big game

At the beginning of the season, Illinois was missing that go-to guy. We didn’t have someone who we could give the ball to and have go get a bucket.

In the past, the Illini had that type of player. Kofi Cockburn was that guy last season. Ayo Dosunmu was our go-to guy the year before. But, over the past month or so, Illinois has finally found their go-to guy on this team.

Matthew Mayer has put up some big numbers this season. He has been huge for the Illini, and when he is not healthy, we get our butts handed to us, like in the Indiana game.

So, on Saturday, I am going to be watching to see if Matthew Mayer can have another big game. We are going to need him to ball out against a really good Rutgers defense.

Mayer has led Illinois in scoring in our last three games. He has had double-digit points in 13 out of the past 15 contests, and the only two games he failed to hit 10 points were his sick game against Indiana and the cupcake contest against Bethune-Cookman.

Rutgers is a different animal, though. They have a really good defense. In fact, the Scarlet Knights rank inside the top 20 in most defensive statistical categories. This includes only allowing 58.7 points per game this season.

Illinois is going to need a big game out of Mayer. Rutgers is going to come out strong, and knocking down some big shots could shock them early.

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