Illinois Basketball: A Hot Take on the Illinois v. Central Michigan Game
The Illinois basketball team should beware. This game against the Chippewas of Central Michigan is supposed to be a cupcake.
But this cupcake has a razor blade in it.
It appears likely that Tracy Abrams, Malcolm Hill, Leron Black, Jalen Coleman-Lands, and Mike Thorne Jr. will be starting for the Illini.
I couldn’t agree more with that lineup. And that lineup can and should win. Here is how they need to do it.
Defense
First, the Illini need to isolate and contain the razor blade that is Marcus Keene.
Keene is one of the most dangerous players in college basketball. And just like Keon Johnson of Winthrop, he is a short dynamo of a guard who can completely dominate a game.
Keene is seeking to become the first 30 point per game scorer in college basketball in 20 years. That is remarkable.
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And if the Illini play the way they did against Winthrop and IUPUI, he’ll get his 30 against us. In my estimation, that cannot happen.
True, the Chippewas are averaging over 90 points per game. But, if the Illini can halt Keene’s momentum, and otherwise play good D, this game should fall their way.
The Illini big men need to dominate the boards as well. The Chippewas have some big guys too, and some other scorers.
Generally, good defense will be critical.
Offense
The keys to success on offense will be to get scoring from multiple sources and dictating the flow of the game.
Illinois relied almost entirely on Hill and Black in the squeaker against IUPUI. Abrams will need to continue his excellent playing. But they’ll need production from JCL too.
Hill will contribute, but I can guarantee that the Chippewas will be working hard to shut him down, so others will need to shine.
In order to control the game, the Illini, again, will need to control the boards and also not give away the ball.
We need fierceness and unrelenting dominance on the boards from our bigs. That will create second-chance opportunities on the offensive end, and break-outs on the defensive end.
Turnovers were a big source of trouble for Illinois against IUPUI. That has to end, and now.
One positive of the Illini teams of the recent past was great ball handling. Bring that back. Please.
Conclusion
Yeah, it seems basic. Basketball isn’t rocket science. Neutralize the opposing team with good defense. Get rebounds. Limit turnovers. Be aggressive on offense.
This cupcake won’t be a cakewalk. But Illinois wins if they dictate the flow of the game.
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