Granted, about the only way we had to go was up, but the numbers suggest significant improvement.
The Illini are forcing fewer turnovers (from top-25 in defensive turnover rate the last two seasons to No. 224 this season). But Illinois is allowing just 45.2 percent on two-point field goals, an improvement of 8.4 percent from last season (53.6 percent). The Illini defensive rebound rate has improved from 68.1 percent last season (307th in the country last season) to 74.7 percent this season (67th in the country). The Illini have cut their defensive free-throw rate in half, going from 350th and 338th in the country the previous two seasons in the stat to No. 8 this season.