Illinois Basketball: 5 big questions for the Illini against Fairleigh Dickinson

4. Can the Illini starters rebound as they did against Missouri?

I believe the Illinois starters won’t see 30 minutes on Friday night. Illinois is probably going to take it to Fairleigh Dickson to the point where the starters are starting to be subbed out in the first half.

Illinois’ staters have impressed me lately, though. They have put up some big scoring numbers, but what piques my interest the most is the great ability to rebound the basketball.

I want to see if the Illini starters can continue that great rebounding against Fairleigh Dickinson. Can we see a rebounding display like we did against Missouri days ago?

The Knights aren’t a good rebounding team by any means. They are pulling down 35.0 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 200 in the nation. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Illinois is pulling down 44.0 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 4 in the nation.

I knew we were good at rebounding the basketball, though. But what I love the most is the fact the Illinois starters are so aggressive on the boards.

In the game against Missouri, the Illini starters each had at least seven rebounds. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Illini with 11 rebounds. Ty Rodgers was second on the team with nine rebounds. Both players are 6-foot-6.

Illinois is tenacious on the glass. I think we can tear Fairleigh Dickinson apart on Friday night. The Illini starters have a chance to have another big rebounding night.