Illinois Basketball needs to avoid trap game vs Washington

Illinois basketball made history on Thursday night vs Oregon. It was certainly a statement win for Brad Underwood and his team as they absolutely dominated a top-10-ranked team on the road. However, as the Big Ten season progresses, games continue with just two to three days in between. On Sunday afternoon, Illinois basketball will be in Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Though the Illini are clearly the better team compared to the Huskies, who many project to finish near the bottom of the conference, this game does pose some difficulties. For a young team, the Illini have to continue their detailed approach and avoid a “Trap Game”

The Washington Huskies

Washington Basketball is currently 90th overall in Kenpom. They are 141st in Offensive efficiency and 67th defensively. In the NET rankings, They are 95th overall, with two quadrant three losses. They are led by a player with a very steep NIL contract in Grant Osobor, who apparently received as much as former Illini Coleman Hawkins did. Though they were picked to finish toward the bottom of the league, they did have a nice home victory over Maryland. Also, former Illini signee, Jase Butler, will probably come off the bench for some spot minutes.

Long story short, the Illini will have to keep their focus high. After this game, they will have to travel back to Champaign (through a snowstorm supposedly) to take on some teams at home as soon as Wednesday. Veterans like Tre White and Kylan Boswell need to keep this locker room focused and locked in. In road games like these, some of the bench players will need to step up and have a big game much like Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn and Jake Davis did vs Oregon.

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