Illinois Basketball: Three Focuses for the Illini Against Maryland

The Illinois basketball team opens up the Big Ten Conference schedule tonight with a game at Maryland.

Coming off a 10-3 non-conference record, it is paramount that the Illini get off to a good start for the conference slate as well.

This first game against the Terrapins is going to be a test to see how good, or bad, this Illini team really is. I think it will show some true colors on what is right and wrong with the team.

There are a few areas that I want to see if they change or stay consistent compared to the last three games Illinois has played.

First off, can Tracy Abrams continue being a great point guard?

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Over the last three games, Abrams has averaged 16.3 points per game. He also added in 4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as well.

If Abrams can continue this production as the starting point guard for the Illini then I think the team will succeed. But, that is a lot to ask of him.

Another area I want to see what happens with is the Jaylon Tate backup point guard situation.

This topic has been beaten into the ground many times by me personally. I think that Tate needs to be the No. 3 point guard behind Abrams, No. 1, and Te’Jon Lucas, No. 2.

But, John Groce trusts Tate more than Lucas right now. I assume it is because Tate is a better practice player and he is a seasoned veteran.

The last three games haven’t been terrible by Tate standards, though. He has averaged 2.3 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 5.3 APG. Those aren’t bad Tate numbers.

There is one stat that has impressed me the most. That is the lack of turnovers in the last three games for Tate. He has only averaged 1.3 TPG.

I want to see if Groce continues playing Tate 15-20 minutes per contest and, if he does, I want to see how Tate responds to Big Ten play.

The final note I want to point out is the bench scoring. I want to see if Illinois can continue their great bench scoring during the conference season.

I think bench scoring has been one of the main reasons why the Illini have won six in a row and finished the non-conference 10-3.

During the final three-game stretch for the Illini, their bench averaged 25.3 PPG. This is an incredible number considering that is 31-percent of the overall scoring for the team.

If the Illini bench can continue at this clip then their conference record at the end of the season will be NCAA Tournament worthy.

These are some things I want to pay attention to tonight. If the Illini can keep these up then it will be a win against Maryland and the future will be bright.