Illinois Basketball Returns Home Against Nebraska

Illinois basketball completed a 6-3 January capped off by four games in ten days at the end of the month. Now the schedule pendulum swings the other way, with the Illini playing their first of two games in eleven days at home against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are having one of their best seasons in some time, already surpassing their 16 wins from last year.

1. Blitz

Nebraska comes to Champaign fresh off roping down Wisconsin in Lincoln, coming back from 19 down to win in overtime. On one hand, this shows how dangerous this Nebraska team can be. Much like the Illini, the Huskers play four or five shooters at all times, including their center Reink Mast. On the other hand, the Huskers expended a lot of physical and emotional minutes against Wisconsin. Nebraska also has won a single road game in the conference. Illinois basketball has to make sure to not panic during the Huskers’ blitzes, and continue to be physical and rebound.

2. Guard Your Yard

Illinois basketball allows the 23rd least three-pointers in the country. They do play a decent amount of drop with Coleman Hawkins and always with Dain Dainja. During that second half blitz the Huskers made six threes and were fouled on another. The Illini need to be locked in off screens and take the Huskers off the three-point line. Mast is a very skilled offensive player, but at 6’9″ he’s often Nebraska’s tallest player. If the Illini can keep the Huskers playing iso ball and not getting off threes they can cut off the big runs.

3. Run-In

Through 10 games Illinois basketball is a game and a half behind Purdue in the Big Ten standings. The calendar has turned to February, and the stretch run is here. The Illini have everything in front of them, first of which is Nebraska. With a trip to East Lansing on the horizon almost a week away, taking care of business in these games is what will keep you in the title race, and keeping your resume as clean as possible. Currently the Illini sit at 31st in Kenpom on defense. The Huskers offense is 40th. The offense is operating at an elite level, still at fifth. If Illinois is going to reach its goals, they need to grind out more stops, because they can score with anyone.

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