Battle for Chicago
The Illini headed to Evanston on Wednesday to get ready to play the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-ryan Arena Thursday evening in a game that should solidify their first NCAA tourney bid since the 2013 season and allow them to stay in a 2nd place tie in the Big Ten. To do that they will have to beat a Wildcat team that has won just 1 conference game, but have battled on numerous occasions deep into games. The Illini can’t take this one lightly and will need a strong effort to take this one home.
Here’s a look at the particulars.
Setting the Stage
Illinois (18-9, 10-6) at Northwestern (6-20, 1-15)
Feb. 27, 2020 // 7 p.m. CT // Evanston, Ill. // Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039)
TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-By-Play), Andy Katz (Analyst)
Radio: Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst)
Satellite Radio: XM-383, Streaming-973
Notable
*Illinois plays the second in a stretch of three games in less than six full days on Thursday night, facing Northwestern in Evanston (7 p.m. CT, BTN).
*Illinois has 10 conference wins, its most since 2010, and will finish at least .500 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2015.
*Illinois has won four Big Ten road games, tied for most in the league with Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State. Illinois is one of 10 teams with at least four Quad 1 road wins, and the lone team in the country with four road wins over teams in the top 40 of the NET.
*Illinois is averaging just 10.3 turnovers over the last 15 games, tallying single digits seven times.
*Illinois leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the NCAA in rebound margin (+8.8). Illinois ranks fourth in defensive field goal percentage (.405) and third in defensive 3-point percentage (.308) during Big Ten play. Illinois has outrebounded its opponent in 20 of 27 games, and 11 times by double digits. Illinois ranks sixth nationally in offensive rebound rate (36.3%) and is averaging 12.2 second-chance ppg.
*Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu is averaging 17.7 points (195), 4.4 rebounds (48) and 3.7 assists (41) over his last 11 games. During his last 11 appearances, Dosunmu has scored at least 15 points nine times and has been the Illini’s leading scorer seven times.
* Over the last four games, freshman Kofi Cockburn is averaging 12.5 points (50) and 8.8 rebounds (35) and shooting 51.4% (19-37). This follows a two-game stretch where he averaged just 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds on 27.3% shooting.
*Senior Andres Feliz is averaging 12.8 points (102) and 6.1 rebounds (49) over the last eight games, scoring in double figures seven times. That included a career-long streak of six straight in double digits from Jan. 25-Feb. 15.
*Sophomore Alan Griffin is averaging 10.8 points (54) and 6.6 rebounds (33) over the last five games while shooting 50% from 3-point range (10-20) and making an average of 2.0 treys.
*The Atlanta Tipoff Club has named 15 late season candidates for the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year. The list is highlighted by Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood. He is one of three Big Ten coaches on the list, and one of five coaches with a tenure of three or fewer years at their current school. Ten semifinalists will be announced on March 6, and the finalists will be revealed on March 18. The winner of the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year will be announced on April 5 at the Naismith Awards Brunch in Atlanta.
*Northwestern has won two straight home games over the Illini, including a 72-68 overtime win at Allstate Arena (12/1/17) and a 68-66 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena last season (1/6/19). The Wildcats are looking for their first three-game home winning streak against Illinois since 1966-68.
*A.J. Turner is averaging 12.2 points in four games against Illinois, while Miller Kopp has posted a scoring average of 11.0 points per game on 40.2% shooting (17-for-42) from the floor. Kopp has scored in double figures three straight times against the Illini.
*Miller Kopp over the last 16 games is averaging 14.5 points per game on 40.87% shooting from the field. Kopp has scored in double figures a team-best 20 times this season and done so in 14 of the last 16 games. He ranks third in the Big Ten with a 39.4% 3-point field goal percentage and fifth with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game. Kopp eads NU in... Scoring (13.0), 3FG (54), made FG (116), FT% (88.1), minutes (31.7).
*Center Ryan Young is one of two rookies in the B1G and one of seven in Power 5 to average 9.0 or more points and more than 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting at least 55% from the field. Ranks 13th among all B1G players with 6.2 rpg.
*Since the calendar flipped to 2020, Pat Spencer has averaged 11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, while shooting 48% from the field (14 games). He is one of five Big Ten players to average more than 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in conference play.
*: Northwestern rookie Boo Buie returned to the lineup vs. Maryland (1/21/20) after missing five games: He currently ranks fifth among B1G rookies with 10.5 points per game and is one of three first years to average double figures with at least 2.0 assists per game.
Stripe State Farm Center On Deck
Illinois’ next home game on Sunday against Indiana is Stripe State Farm Center. Illini Athletics is asking all fans to participate by helping stripe the arena orange and blue for the first time ever at an Illinois Basketball game. Fans holding tickets in odd-numbered sections should wear orange, while fans with tickets in even-numbered sections should wear blue. All University of Illinois students, meanwhile, are requested to wear orange.
ODD = Orange EVEN = Blue UI Students = Orange
Keys to the Game
Prediction
Illinois has a tendency to play to the level of their competition, but this team seems hungry to get wins and a top 4 seed in the Big Ten tourney. Illinois takes this one 70-64 to get their 11th Big Ten win.
The Illini headed to Evanston on Wednesday to get ready to play the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-ryan Arena Thursday evening in a game that should solidify their first NCAA tourney bid since the 2013 season and allow them to stay in a 2nd place tie in the Big Ten. To do that they will have to beat a Wildcat team that has won just 1 conference game, but have battled on numerous occasions deep into games. The Illini can’t take this one lightly and will need a strong effort to take this one home.
Here’s a look at the particulars.
Setting the Stage
Illinois (18-9, 10-6) at Northwestern (6-20, 1-15)
Feb. 27, 2020 // 7 p.m. CT // Evanston, Ill. // Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039)
TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-By-Play), Andy Katz (Analyst)
Radio: Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst)
Satellite Radio: XM-383, Streaming-973
Notable
*Illinois plays the second in a stretch of three games in less than six full days on Thursday night, facing Northwestern in Evanston (7 p.m. CT, BTN).
*Illinois has 10 conference wins, its most since 2010, and will finish at least .500 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2015.
*Illinois has won four Big Ten road games, tied for most in the league with Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State. Illinois is one of 10 teams with at least four Quad 1 road wins, and the lone team in the country with four road wins over teams in the top 40 of the NET.
*Illinois is averaging just 10.3 turnovers over the last 15 games, tallying single digits seven times.
*Illinois leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the NCAA in rebound margin (+8.8). Illinois ranks fourth in defensive field goal percentage (.405) and third in defensive 3-point percentage (.308) during Big Ten play. Illinois has outrebounded its opponent in 20 of 27 games, and 11 times by double digits. Illinois ranks sixth nationally in offensive rebound rate (36.3%) and is averaging 12.2 second-chance ppg.
*Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu is averaging 17.7 points (195), 4.4 rebounds (48) and 3.7 assists (41) over his last 11 games. During his last 11 appearances, Dosunmu has scored at least 15 points nine times and has been the Illini’s leading scorer seven times.
* Over the last four games, freshman Kofi Cockburn is averaging 12.5 points (50) and 8.8 rebounds (35) and shooting 51.4% (19-37). This follows a two-game stretch where he averaged just 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds on 27.3% shooting.
*Senior Andres Feliz is averaging 12.8 points (102) and 6.1 rebounds (49) over the last eight games, scoring in double figures seven times. That included a career-long streak of six straight in double digits from Jan. 25-Feb. 15.
*Sophomore Alan Griffin is averaging 10.8 points (54) and 6.6 rebounds (33) over the last five games while shooting 50% from 3-point range (10-20) and making an average of 2.0 treys.
*The Atlanta Tipoff Club has named 15 late season candidates for the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year. The list is highlighted by Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood. He is one of three Big Ten coaches on the list, and one of five coaches with a tenure of three or fewer years at their current school. Ten semifinalists will be announced on March 6, and the finalists will be revealed on March 18. The winner of the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year will be announced on April 5 at the Naismith Awards Brunch in Atlanta.
*Northwestern has won two straight home games over the Illini, including a 72-68 overtime win at Allstate Arena (12/1/17) and a 68-66 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena last season (1/6/19). The Wildcats are looking for their first three-game home winning streak against Illinois since 1966-68.
*A.J. Turner is averaging 12.2 points in four games against Illinois, while Miller Kopp has posted a scoring average of 11.0 points per game on 40.2% shooting (17-for-42) from the floor. Kopp has scored in double figures three straight times against the Illini.
*Miller Kopp over the last 16 games is averaging 14.5 points per game on 40.87% shooting from the field. Kopp has scored in double figures a team-best 20 times this season and done so in 14 of the last 16 games. He ranks third in the Big Ten with a 39.4% 3-point field goal percentage and fifth with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game. Kopp eads NU in... Scoring (13.0), 3FG (54), made FG (116), FT% (88.1), minutes (31.7).
*Center Ryan Young is one of two rookies in the B1G and one of seven in Power 5 to average 9.0 or more points and more than 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting at least 55% from the field. Ranks 13th among all B1G players with 6.2 rpg.
*Since the calendar flipped to 2020, Pat Spencer has averaged 11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, while shooting 48% from the field (14 games). He is one of five Big Ten players to average more than 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in conference play.
*: Northwestern rookie Boo Buie returned to the lineup vs. Maryland (1/21/20) after missing five games: He currently ranks fifth among B1G rookies with 10.5 points per game and is one of three first years to average double figures with at least 2.0 assists per game.
Stripe State Farm Center On Deck
Illinois’ next home game on Sunday against Indiana is Stripe State Farm Center. Illini Athletics is asking all fans to participate by helping stripe the arena orange and blue for the first time ever at an Illinois Basketball game. Fans holding tickets in odd-numbered sections should wear orange, while fans with tickets in even-numbered sections should wear blue. All University of Illinois students, meanwhile, are requested to wear orange.
ODD = Orange EVEN = Blue UI Students = Orange
Keys to the Game
- No Comfort - If you allow a team like Northwestern to get clean looks, they will gain confidence and then begin making tough shots and getting comfortable. You can’t allow that to happen unless you want another nail biter finish. Get into Kopp and don’t let he and Turner get going early.
- Dominate the Glass - Illinois has been a great rebounding team, but they didn’t dominate as expected against Northwestern the first time, allowing the Wildcats to grab more offensive rebounds than the Illini. Illinois looked lethargic and slow footed in teh first meeting, but will need more if they are going to win this one.
- Attack the Zone - Expect Northwestern to play a ton of zone, and the Illini need to attack that defense and not settle for quick 3’s. Play inside out, use the high post and the short corner and get out in transition before they get back and set and this is a game where Illinois should score well.
Prediction
Illinois has a tendency to play to the level of their competition, but this team seems hungry to get wins and a top 4 seed in the Big Ten tourney. Illinois takes this one 70-64 to get their 11th Big Ten win.
