2. Big Game Ben needs to step up
Illinois isn’t very good at shooting from three-point range. I think the more we get that in our heads, the more we will understand when the Illini shoot 25% from three-point range nightly.
The percentage isn’t as bad as I say it is, as Illinois shoots 31.9% from three-point range, but that is bad enough to rank No. 258 out of 364 programs.
Illinois needs players to step up from distance. Ben Humrichous is someone we landed specifically for three-point shooting, and it is time to shape up or ship out.
I say that figuratively because, obviously, he isn’t going to be kicked off the team. But Humrichous needs to start showing up to games consistently. I am calling him Big Game Ben right now, but it should be Big Game Few and Far Between Ben.
The game against Nebraska on Thursday night is a perfect opportunity for Humrichous to have a good shooting night. The Cornhuskers allow opponents to shoot 34.1% from three-point range, which ranks No. 204 in the country.
My assumption is that someone like Andrew Morgan will be on Humrichous. Height-wise, that is a good matchup. I think Morgan could have a hard time guarding Humrichous, as the Illini transfer can back his man down or shoot from outside.
Humrichous is coming off a good game against Northwestern where he shot 4-of-9 from three-point range and had 14 points. Let’s keep those good vibes going, so we can rely on him more. I want Big Game Ben to be a prime scorer for the Illini, and that is what we need against Nebraska.