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Illinois Basketball: 5 keys for the Illini to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 18, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) dribbless the ball while Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (1) defends in the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) dribbless the ball while Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (1) defends in the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Feb 20, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jayden Epps (3) derives the ball between Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Ta’lon Cooper (55) and Dawson Garcia (3) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Illinois gets a positive impact from Jayden Epps

It has been very rare this season when Illinois has been at full health. Luke Goode started it all with foot surgery, which kept him out for the vast majority of the year.

Terrence Shannon Jr. missed some time with a concussion. Our starting point guard decided to take some personal time and is now en route to becoming the starting point guard for Louisville. Sencire Harris missed a game or two in the middle of the season.

And then Illinois had star freshman guard, Jayden Epps, do down in practice at the end of the season. He was able to come back in the Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State, but he only logged two minutes in that contest.

Epps has been sensational this season. He is Illinois’ fourth-leading scorer, and his ability to get to the rim and finish with a bucket is some of the best work I have seen from an Illinois guard in years. This kid has a really bright future ahead of him.

I know Brad Underwood was trying to ease Epps back into game shape against Penn State, but Illinois is going to need him in full force in the NCAA tournament.

If Epps can come out of the gates and make a positive impact on the Illini from the jump, then I think we have a good chance of knocking off the Razorbacks. I could see Underwood bringing Epps off the bench once again, but he should get 18-24 minutes, I assume. This would give him plenty of time to put his fingerprints on the outcome of this game.

Epps is a big part of the Illinois basketball program. Let’s get him involved early and often so he can help lead us to victory.

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