Illinois basketball is quietly one of the best teams in the nation right now in college basketball and their last two games proved it. The Fighting Illini are projected to go 18-2 in the toughest conference in college basketball, the BIG 10.
After huge wins on the road against Oregon and Washington, Illinois is 3-1 in conference play and looking dangerous. The only downside statistically is their 3-3 quad 1 record. Although they are undefeated against every other quad.
They have five players averaging double digits right now and two more right below that mark. Then on the defensive side, if you know anything about head coach Brad Underwood, you know he doesn’t accept lazy defense.
Illinois is 13th in the nation in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They average 1.23 points per possession on offense and only allow 0.89 points per possession from the opposing team.
They are a fast pace team who gets shots up rapidly, and although their percentage from behind the line isn’t great, the volume makes up for it. Picture any NBA team right now as an example. Maybe some nights they shoot 8 for 43, other nights it will be 19 for 41.
Their are top 10 in 4 different defensive metrics and top 5 in 3 of those 4. I haven’t heard enough noise around this years Illinois basketball program compared to other schools.
This team played number 1 Tennessee, the last undefeated team in the nation, better than anyone else has. Coming up short late, losing ultimately by two points, 66-64.
What impresses me most about this team is the ability to adapt live in game. If you allow them to run and gun, look out, they will put 100 on your head. If you try to slow them down, well they are comfortable executing in the half court offense as well. They do not mind guarding 30 seconds at a time and are great at rebounding to end possessions for opponents after one shot.
Being projected to go 26-5 doesn’t mean anything without you showing up every night and proving it. Yet, as of right now, Illinois might be the most dangerous team in the BIG 10.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on the X via @RowanDonaghey
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