The Illini may face no greater test all season than what the Volunteers will have ready for them Saturday in Champaign
"Dominant" may not be strong enough a word to express Tennessee's superiority over its competition so far this season. Out of a possible 360 minutes through nine games, the Volunteers have led for a total of 339 minutes and 48 seconds – or 20,388 seconds, if you're counting at home. Their largest deficit in the 6 minutes and 38 seconds during which they have trailed: three points.
The Vols have a phenomenal scorer and deadly 3-point shooter in Chaz Lanier, an elite point guard in Zakai Zeigler and a regular double-double threat in Croatian big man Igor Miličić Jr. Darned if that doesn't sound a lot like the opponent they'll be facing in Champaign on Saturday.
The Vols' winning strategy is pretty simple: hit shots and make the other guys miss. They rank among the top five Division I teams in both field-goal percentage and field-goal percentage defense . Illinois' victory over No. 20 Wisconsin in Champaign on Tuesday was win No. 150 for Brad Underwood as the Illini coach. Now in his eighth season at U of I, Underwood ranks fifth on the school's all-time wins list and, with a victory over Tennessee, would move into a tie for fourth.The Illini aren't exactly a get-out-on-the-break outfit, but they like to let fly early in the shot clock. Is that the formula to beat the slower-paced Vols? Not so fast.
The Illini have been at their best this season when the offense has flowed – the ball moving quickly and cleanly, launched by an open, in-rhythm shooter. So it will be imperative that they don't rush shots and, in particular, forwards Ben Humrichous and Will Riley value good looks and have some early success from the perimeter. It still may not be enough.
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