On Tuesday, the Illini will take another crack at scoring their first conference win of the season
After a 70-66 overtime loss to Northwestern in Evanston on Friday night, Illinois dropped to 6-2 and plummeted out of Monday’s AP Top 25 poll.
Rankings aren't everything – especially at this early stage of the season and for these young Illini, who are learning on the job. Still, it's hard to ignore the two massive opportunities at their feet this week, first at home against No. 20 Wisconsin on Tuesday and then Saturday – again at Champaign's State Farm Center – against No. 1 Tennessee.
The Badgers game feels like a must-win for the Illini, who are at risk of dropping their first two Big Ten games and a total of three in a row, which would have adverse postseason implications – and also test the resolve of this team. Better now than later? It's just one of the questions being asked about Illinois. Here are three more that may help determine whether the Illini can hold firm against the Badgers:The Illini are taking 33.9 threes per game , and the Badgers are putting them up at a relatively healthy clip themselves. Yet they’re also both among the NCAA's better teams at defending the 3, with Illinois allowing opponents to shoot only 25.1 percent and Wisconsin holding opponents to just 29.4 percent shooting from distance.
Dominating on the boards has been Illinois’ calling card under coach Brad Underwood, and this season has been no different for the Illini . The Badgers control tempo and don't turn it over often, but they are a mediocre rebounding crew at best. To ensure that Tuesday's game doesn't get away from them the way the Northwestern game did, the Illini must not only win the rebounding battle but dominate it.
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