3 Key Questions for Illinois Basketball Team Against Arkansas

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Arkansas Razorbacks will face off in a highly-anticipated matchup in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Here are three key questions that the Illini will need to answer to come away with a victory:

Can Illinois slow down Arkansas’ potent offense?

The Razorbacks are one of the highest-scoring teams in the country, averaging over 85 points per game. They have a balanced attack with four players averaging double figures, led by guard Nick Smith Jr.’s 19.9 points per game. The Illini will need to lock down their defense and force Arkansas into turnovers to have a chance to win.

Who will step up for Illinois on the offensive end?

The Illini have relied heavily on Kofi Cockburn to carry the scoring load this season. But the 7-foot center has struggled with foul trouble in recent games. Illinois will need other players to step up and provide a scoring boost, such as guards Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer.

Can Illinois control the boards?

Arkansas is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, averaging over 40 rebounds per game. The Illini will need to be physical on the boards and keep Arkansas from getting second-chance opportunities. Kofi Cockburn will be a key factor in this area, but he will need help from his teammates.

Prediction

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Arkansas Razorbacks are both evenly matched teams. The Illini have a slight edge in experience, but the Razorbacks are playing with a lot of confidence. The outcome of the game will likely come down to which team can execute its game plan better. If the Illini can slow down Arkansas’ offense, win the rebounding battle, and get enough scoring from their supporting cast, they have a good chance of coming away with a victory.