5 key questions for the Illinois basketball team against Purdue

5. Will the Illinois bench show up?

To take down Purdue, the Illinois basketball team will need the bench to play well. We need depth so we can run the court and tire out the Boilermakers.

The Illinois bench has been up and down this season. There are times when I love what the bench provides, but then there are times when Brad Underwood shortens the bench greatly and we struggle.

So, on Tuesday night, I want to see what the bench can do for the Illini. Can the Illinois bench show up and help get this program over the top?

Last season, the Illini bench did some great work. We got 22 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block out of the reserves. Sencire Harris was the leading scorer, but he redshirted this season, so we don’t have him anymore.

In January, Illinois was missing Terrence Shannon Jr., so the bench was shorter. We only got five points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block out of the reserves in that game.

Illinois’ bench has been doing better of late. Underwood is starting to trust the guys more, and this has resulted in some key minutes. There is a nice balance on the Illini bench as well. Justin Harmon and Luke Goode are three-point threats. We have a nice point guard in Niccolo Moretti. And Dain Dainja is a great traditional big man.

The Illini will need the bench to show up on Tuesday night. If we can get double-digit points and near double-digit rebounds out of the reserves, then I think we come away with the victory.