Illinois Fighting Illini @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Three Keys to Illini Victory, Prediction

After suffering a knee injury during the final play of Illinois' Tuesday night loss vs. Michigan State, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced star player Ayo Dosunmu will be traveling with the team to Rutgers for Saturday’s game.

Dosunmu’s availability status is still in the air, as he is considered “day-to-day.”

In a league where winning road games doesn’t come easy, the Illini may not be in trouble, despite the possibility of being short-handed.

Here are three keys the Illini will need to secure a victory Saturday afternoon.

Andres Feliz continues to shine

Senior guard Andres Feliz has been one of the most reliable scorers for the Illini in Big Ten play, averaging 15.2 points in his last five games.  Feliz’s 15 points and four rebounds helped the Illini rally back from a 20-point second-half deficit in their previous match-up vs. Michigan State.

More production from guards

Junior guard Trent Frazier will need to put points on the board if the Illini want to walk out of New Jersey with a victory. However, Frazier can’t be the only play-maker as other guards and wing-players will need to contribute plenty.

The Illini bench has been superb this season, thanks to the efforts of Andres Feliz and Alan Griffin.  The two combine for 19.6 points and 9.6 boards per game coming off the bench.  Both Feliz and Griffin will need to do their parts (and more) in order for the Illini to compete with a tough Rutgers team.

Kofi Cockburn dominates the paint

Freshman big man Kofi Cockburn has not played to his potential these past five games, averaging 4.9 fewer points and 2.8 fewer rebounds than his season averages.  Cockburn will need to play like the seven-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week award winner he is on Saturday to give the Illini an advantage down low.

Prediction

With the possibility of being without their key player, Illinois will be playing hard for their fallen teammate.  However, the Illini will lose a tough battle in the “RAC” due to the continuation of their offensive struggles.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will escape with a 65-59 win.