AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 7-seeded Illinois men’s basketball team is getting reading to face Colorado in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday. Here’s how these two teams match up. 

The backcourt

Illinois’ offense is a perimeter-based attack revolving around its backcourt, receiving the majority of its offensive production from its guards. The Illini are led in scoring by Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and Tracy Abrams, the only three Illinois players to average double-digit points per game this season. 

Like the Illini, Colorado’s backcourt also provides much of the offensive firepower. Sophomore shooting guard Spencer Dinwiddie, whose fantastic mustache might give Colorado a significant advantage in the intimidation department, leads the Buffaloes. Dinwiddie, a 6-foot-6 athletic scorer, has the size and athleticism to create his own shot almost at will. The matchup between Dinwiddie and Richardson, Illinois’ best perimeter defender, will be crucial to deciding the outcome of the game. Sophomore point guard Askia Booker is a vocal leader for the Buffaloes, heading up the offense.

Neither team boasts a significant advantage, but with two seniors in Paul and Richardson, Illinois has both the experience and urgency to put them over the top here.

Slight advantage: Illinois

The frontcourt

Illinois’ big men and interior play has been a source of concern all year long, with the Illini frequently being outrebounded in Big Ten play. The revolving door of Tyler Griffey, Sam McLaurin and Myke Henry at forward has been inconsistent at best. McLaurin is key to the Illini defense but is an offensive liability. When Griffey is making threes, Illinois is incredibly difficult to guard, but to call him a defensive liability is an understatement.

Meanwhile, Colorado’s forward play is one of the Buffaloes’ central strengths. Junior Andre Roberson was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and all-Pac-12 first-team after averaging 10.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-7 forward has an incredible 7-foot wingspan, allowing him to defend both guards and post players. Roberson will draw the assignment of stopping Paul, who struggled against a similar type of defender in Indiana’s Victor Oladipo in the Big Ten Tournament, shooting just 2-for-13.

In the middle, Illinois’ Nnanna Egwu and Colorado’s Josh Scott both provide energy and rebounding for their respective teams; although, neither is the focal point of the offense.

Advantage: Colorado

The bench

Illinois head coach John Groce utilizes his bench with more regularity than Colorado’s Tad Boyle. Seven Illini play more than 20 minutes per game, while Boyle relies heavily on his core of starters. The lone bench contributor for the Buffaloes is senior guard Sabatino Chen, a vocal leader as the only senior on the roster. The Illini bench is led by Joseph Bertrand, a slasher who can bring instant offense when he enters the game. Bertrand has struggled of late, though, scoring in double figures only twice in his last 15 games. Depending on who starts at forward, Groce will also have the services of either Griffey or McLaurin at his disposal, and Henry has also shown the ability to knock down big shots.

Advantage: Illinois

The coaches

Both Boyle and Groce are young coaches in their first job at a major program. Boyle led the Buffaloes to their first back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances since the 1960s, including a win in the second round a season ago. Groce’s postseason success at Ohio last year, in which the Bobcats nearly made the Elite Eight as a 13-seed, is a major reason why he received the Illinois job. This one is tough to call, but Groce’s sideline antics are a constant source of enjoyment for fans and players alike.

Slight advantage: Illinois

The verdict

This should be a tight one the whole way through and will likely be a low-scoring affair; however, the Illini have shown an ability to win tight games all season long and should be expected to come out on top and advance to face the winner of Miami and Pacific. 

Daniel is a senior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @danielmillermc.