Illinois Info
Head Coach: Brad Underwood
Location: Champaign, IL
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Fightin Illini
Mascot: Chief Illiniwek They got rid of Chief Illiniwek in 2007
Shirt not to wear: Orange, Blue
Last time out: Lost to Indiana
Typical Rotation Depth: 9+
Line: Illinois by 1
Tempo: Fast paced
Defense: West Vriginia-esque pressrue
Style: Middle assist % / Low 3pa%
Conference only
| Four Factors | |||
| Effective FG%: | 48.9 10 | 45.1 2 | 51.0 |
| Turnover %: | 20.2 14 | 16.4 8 | 18.6 |
| Off. Reb. %: | 31.0 3 | 34.1 14 | 28.8 |
| FTA/FGA: | 31.0 9 | 29.6 5 | 33.6 |
Illinois turning the ball over and not protecting their glass. They will chase their misses for offensive rebounds. Kipper Nichols and Leron Black need a body on them at all times.
Most Frequent Lineups over the last 5 games
Nebraska
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Pct | |
| 1 |
27.4 |
Illinois
| PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Pct | |
| 1 |
6.8 |
Michael Finke has been out the last two games and didn't practice on Saturday. Last time out he broke out of a slump to put up 16 against Nebraska.
Players to watch: Trent Frazier
Underwood teams tend to have a few guys who dominate the shots and dynamic freshman guard Trent Frazier has stepped into that role for the Illini. Look for him along with Leron Black and Kipper Nichols to dominate the touches when on the court.
The Skinny
It's been a rough 2018 for the Illini who currently sit in 14th place in the B1G after losing 4 straight. The last time these two teams met in Lincoln the Huskers needed a last second shot to pull out a game in which both teams could rarely hit from outside. Anyone who can get it going from 3 today is going to have a big advantage in this one.
Nebraska doesn't really need the 3 as much as Illinois though. Illinois pressure defense essentially gives you free run at the rim and when you're not getting layups there is a lot of potential for FTs. Keep at the rim, block out on defense, and the Huskers are walking out of Champaign with a victory. Illinois sure could put together a game today but you have to wonder if that teams has much more fight left in them.
Prediction: Nebraska 82 - Illinois 74
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