Illinois Basketball Looks To Finally Conquer College Park

Illinois Basketball had one of their best games of the season against Michigan, and now look to continue their winning ways at Maryland. Xfinity Center has been a bogey site for the Illini under Brad Underwood, the only Big Ten venue he hasn’t won in. Last year the Illini fell in an electric matchup on the road. Maryland was expected to improve on last year but have found themselves once again stuck in the middle of the conference. The Terrapins also find themselves on the wrong side of the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.

1. Focus and Finish

In the previous matchup this year, the Illini suffered their worst loss of the season, limping to a home defeat. Without Terrence Shannon Jr. Illinois basketball struggled to find consistent offense, ending with their third least points in a game. They also had their worst shooting day of the year, going 21-64 from the field for a frigid 32.8%. A lot of these were just straight misses, although Maryland’s stable of long athletes bothered the Illini around the rim. Shannon Jr. back will help create more room for the others, but they still need to finish their opportunities.

2. Double Vision

In the first matchup the Illini were torched by the Terrapins duo of Jahmir Young and Julian Reese. Those two are clearly Maryland’s two best players, and they showed why in Champaign. The Illini stuck to their scheme, but Coleman Hawkins struggled to handle Julian Reese on the block without fouling. And with Hawkins in foul trouble, Young was able to dominate in the Pick and Roll. It was reminiscent of the Illini’s home loss to Indiana last year, where the Illini were torched by Trayce Jackson-Davis leaving him on an island. Much like Indiana, Maryland’s role players are buy and large putrid shooters, even more so than Indiana last year. In the return matchup Illinois doubled TJD despite their usual policy toward throwing multiple bodies at a player. Will Brad Underwood gamble with the Terps others to shut off the main two?

3. If Not Now

At some point it needs to be a pride thing in this building. Illinois have been a better program than Maryland for years now, but the Terps have provided more resistance than just about every other team in the conference. Illinois is 2-7 in their last nine against Maryland. Their team builds going back to Mark Turgeon have provided problems, with bunches of long, athletic bodies. While things are more equal this year, Maryland has consistently had bigger, more athletic players during this recent stretch of success against Illinois. It’s about time Illinois basketball got their act together in the DMV.

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