In what should be an electric atmosphere in a sold-out State Farm Center, the Illinois Fighting Illini will be looking to pick up their fourth straight win as they host the Indiana Hoosiers Sunday.
The Hoosiers are just 2-6 on the road in the Big-Ten this season, but this will not be an easy game for Illinois, as they have lost three home games on the year.
Here are three keys Illinois will need to secure a home win.
Win down low
If head coach Brad Underwood decides to go with the small lineup he’s used to start off the last three games, the Illini may be at a disadvantage. The Hoosiers starting lineup consist of big men 6’9 Freshman forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (13.8 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6’11 Junior center Joey Brunk (7 ppg, 5 rpg).
Unless Illinois runs the 1-3-1 zone Brad Underwood used at Rutgers, one of the Illini guards will be manned up against either Jackson-Davis or Brunk. Don’t be surprised if Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili gets the starting nod Sunday to match the strength of the Hoosiers.
Force tough shots
In Indiana’s most recent match-up at Purdue, the Hoosiers shot 20.8% from three and 25.4% from the field. They only scored 49 points, 14 of those coming from the free-throw line.
Illinois’ defense has been one of the main keys to their success this season. Underwood’s defense leads the Big-Ten in scoring, allowing only 62.8 ppg. If they are able to continue putting the clamps on opponents, they should have no problem defeating the struggling Hoosiers offense.
Next man up
The Illini have been anchored by Sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu (16.4 ppg) and Freshman center Kofi Cockburn (13.6 ppg & 9.1 rpg). Cockburn will have his hands full, competing with Jackson-Davis and Brunk in the paint Sunday. Therefore, the Illini will need somebody to step up.
In Thursday night’s “roadkill,” in Evanston, that man was Alan Griffin, who couldn’t seem to miss a shot. Griffin scored a career high 24 points, shooting 9-11 from the field (6-8 from three).
If Illinois wants to be victorious in front of a sold-out home crowd, they will need somebody to step up again.
Prediction
Illinois will have their hands full against the Hoosier’s big men. However, their first-ranked Big-Ten scoring defense will be able to slow them down. The Hoosiers offense has struggled lately, averaging just over 60 points in their last four road games. Kofi Cockburn may not have a big day, but the Illini are full of guys, such as Alan Griffin, Andres Feliz, and Trent Frazier, who are all capable of stepping up both offensively and defensively.
The Illini will overwhelm the struggling Hoosiers in a 68-53 win.