The Illini need to control the pace and limit turnovers against the feisty Wildcats
Well-rested and fresh off a 90-77 marquee win over Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day, No. 19 Illinois has to feel good about its trajectory heading into Friday's matchup with in-state rival Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston .
The Wildcats have already begun their conference slate, having fallen to Iowa in an 80-79 heartbreaker on Tuesday. NU has lost to all three of its high-major opponents this early season – but by a combined score of just eight points. What more can we learn about the Illini that the Wildcats can help reveal? As usual, we have some questions we hope to see answered on Friday:For a team that lives at the line , Illinois needs to start showing that it values its opportunities there. Having shot under 70 percent from the line in three of their past four games, the Illini have made things more difficult than necessary – and arguably shot themselves out of any chance at a win against Alabama at the charity stripe .
Illinois enters this game committing 11.0 turnovers per game, which sounds like a reasonable enough number. Then again, the Illini haven’t faced many defenses with the players or scheme to trouble them . The Wildcats want to apply pressure, creates deflections and turn over their opponents . The Illini, especially point guard Kasparas Jakucionis need to tighten their handles and avoid allow the Cats to speed them up on their terms.
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