If Illinois doesn't start shooting the ball better from deep, it will be another early exit from the NCAA Tournament. They hang their hat on defense, but everyone defends in the tournament. Illinois is No. 304 in the nation in 3 point %. It's pretty amazing that they've been winning in spite of that, especially considering the high volume of 3's that they take.
RJ Melendez has shot just 29% over the last 10 games, including 3-18 field goals and 0-11 3-point field goals over the last three games. 30 of his 51 field goal attempts in the last 10 games have been threes. He's a slasher who rarely slashes. I don't get it.
The book on Illinois is to deny the wing entry pass. It's the reason things bog down, and why they turn it over. They're making Illinois feed the post from the top rather than the wing, and its frustrating Dainja. The way to combat that is to dribble to the wing, obviously. But how often (if ever) do we see Shannon or any other wing run the baseline and get a down screen?
One major improvement? This team has flipped the script on back side help since the early part of the season and the December slump when they were terrible at it. They are great at it now, and are 12th in the nation in block % as a result. 6th in the nation and 1st in the Big Ten in total blocks.
Luke Goode has to play if they can get him ready. This team isn't going anywhere without more shooting and more production from the bench.
I bet we see a few minutes from Brandon Lieb against Minnesota. The Gopher are terrible in the paint.
RJ Melendez has shot just 29% over the last 10 games, including 3-18 field goals and 0-11 3-point field goals over the last three games. 30 of his 51 field goal attempts in the last 10 games have been threes. He's a slasher who rarely slashes. I don't get it.
The book on Illinois is to deny the wing entry pass. It's the reason things bog down, and why they turn it over. They're making Illinois feed the post from the top rather than the wing, and its frustrating Dainja. The way to combat that is to dribble to the wing, obviously. But how often (if ever) do we see Shannon or any other wing run the baseline and get a down screen?
One major improvement? This team has flipped the script on back side help since the early part of the season and the December slump when they were terrible at it. They are great at it now, and are 12th in the nation in block % as a result. 6th in the nation and 1st in the Big Ten in total blocks.
Luke Goode has to play if they can get him ready. This team isn't going anywhere without more shooting and more production from the bench.
I bet we see a few minutes from Brandon Lieb against Minnesota. The Gopher are terrible in the paint.
