Illini Sports Blog

Weekend watch: No. 13 Illinois (9-0) at No. 10 Gonzaga (9-0)

Key stat: Rebounding and 3-point shooting. Gonzaga is outrebounding its opponents by almost 13 extra boards per game. That means extra possessions and easier baskets. The Zags are a good offensive rebounding team and have done a nice job of limiting opponents' second-shot opportunities. The Illini are really going to have to gang-rebound to keep up with the Zags on the backboards. Gonzaga is a good 3-point shooting team and its inside-out play can lead to open opportunities for Pangos and Bell Jr. But the key will be Gonzaga's ability to guard the 3-point line and limit open shots behind the arc by the Illini. They can stretch you and drive you, and Gonzaga has to run Illinois off the line.

Jay Bilas

Filed under: Gonzaga Bulldogs, Illini Basketball
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