Illinois (14-5, 4-4) is back home to face off against Purdue (7-12, 0-8) on Monday. Illinois is coming off a resounding win over Northwestern, while Purdue enters on a seven-game losing streak. Although the Boilermakers’ last win was before the conference schedule started, they are always a tricky game for the Illini.
All-time history
Illinois has not beaten Purdue under head coach Shauna Green. In fact, the Illini’s wins against the Boilermakers are few and far between. Its last win came in 2021, when Illinois won 54-49. Over the previous 20 matchups against Purdue, Illinois has had just two wins, bringing its all-time record to 15-61.
In more recent history, the Green-led Illini are 0-2 against the Boilermakers. In the matchup last year, fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic had 24 points and 15 rebounds, and senior guard Adalia McKenzie had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
If the Illini want to beat their rivals from Indiana, they must focus on the Boilermaker’s weakest points. There are plenty of strategies to obtain a win, but these are some of the most important.
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Do: Quick start
The Illini need to start hot. In their previous two games against the Boilermakers, they scored 11 or fewer points in the opening quarter, which came back to bite them later in the game. If Illinois wants to break its losing streak, it needs to get off to a fast start.
Purdue turns the ball over at one of the highest rates in the Big Ten, allowing 13.6 points off turnovers per game. Illinois needs to force turnovers early and get points off of them. If it can get Purdue flustered, Illinois can control the game early.
Don’t: Let them shoot
Purdue is one of the worst shooting teams in the Big Ten. However, in all of its wins this season, it has shot over 44% from the floor. If Illinois wants to get the win, it needs to make sure Purdue doesn’t get into a rhythm shooting the ball.
On Illinois’ side, it has allowed its opponent to shoot 47% or higher from the floor in all but one of its losses. When Illinois gives up open shots to its opponent, it struggles to win.
Do: Play in the paint
Against Big Ten opponents this season, Purdue allows 34.5 points in the paint per game. All eight of those games resulted in a loss for the Boilermakers. If the Illini play aggressively around the rim, they can take control of the game and win.
Bostic can score almost anywhere inside the paint against almost anyone. McKenzie and fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant are excellent at getting to the rim. If all three play at their best, Illinois has a good chance of taking down Purdue. Playing through Bostic in the paint and driving to the rim often will give the Illini a leg up.
Do: Be confident
It can be frustrating trying to play against a team that always seems to win. The best thing the Illini can do is play confidently. They can’t let their history with the Boilermakers make them overthink. They are the better team this season and need to act like it.
If the Illini play mistake-free and with confidence, they should have no trouble against the Boilermakers. When they get in their head, problems start to arise. As long as they play as they have this season, they secure the win.
@ben_some16
