3 Key Questions for Illinois Basketball vs. UCLA
Illinois needs to focus on attacking the basket, protecting the ball, and dominating the boards to stop UCLA’s hot streak.
Despite an impressive 95-74 win over Minnesota on Saturday, Illinois dropped out of the AP poll after losing 82-73 to Rutgers in their previous game. Looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in over a month, Illinois faces a challenge against a UCLA team that has won seven consecutive games.
The Bruins, aiming to extend their streak, also seek their first-ever road win against Illinois. Here are three crucial questions that will determine if the Illini can defend their home court against the red-hot Bruins:
Will Illinois continue to limit three-point attempts? Against UCLA’s frontcourt of 6-foot-9 Tyler Bilodeau and 6-foot-8 Eric Dailey Jr., Illinois has a clear size and likely athleticism advantage. After a strong 95-point performance against Minnesota, where Illinois attempted a season-low 16 three-pointers (making 9), the Illini may stick to a strategy of attacking the rim first and shooting threes second. While Illinois has been known for high-volume three-point shooting this season, their success against Minnesota may encourage coach Brad Underwood to maintain or find a better balance in their shooting approach moving forward.
If you're gonna DIY, you need to bring the hammer 🔨@morezjohnsonjr slams it home!
1H 17:33 | Illini 6, Minnesota 9
📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/VWdVzFPhWd— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 8, 2025
How will rebounding impact the game? UCLA has been dominant during its seven-game win streak, but its rebounding has not been as impressive. Even in blowout wins over Oregon and Penn State, the Bruins had a minimal rebounding margin of just plus-3. In a narrow win over Michigan State, they were out-rebounded 45-27. Facing Illinois—the top rebounding team in college basketball—UCLA will need a strong effort on the boards to prevent the Illini from capitalizing on second-chance points.
Can Illinois take care of the ball? UCLA ranks 10th in the nation, forcing 16.3 turnovers per game, and Illinois has had issues with turnovers. Lead guard Kasparas Jakucionis averages 3.5 turnovers per game, while Kylan Boswell isn’t far behind with 2.2 turnovers per game. UCLA’s guards Skyy Clark and Kobe Johnson, both with 30+ steals this season, will look to capitalize on Illinois’ offensive mistakes. If the Illini are careless with the ball or forced into bad decisions, Clark and Johnson will likely add to their steal totals and create opportunities for UCLA.
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