Illinois Basketball: 3 keys for Illini beating Duke in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

By Adam Childs | Dec 7, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 02: Brad Underwood the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to Andre Curbelo #5 and Ayo Dosunmu #11 in the game against the Baylor Bears during the Jimmy V Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 02, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Ayo Dosunmu Illinois Basketball (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Defensive pressure

Duke is 2-1 on the year despite turning the ball over 52 times in three games. Their low turnover game was actually the one they lost. They had “just” 12 turnovers against Michigan State in their loss last week.

In their two wins against Coppin State and Bellermaine they have 22 and 18 turnovers respectively. If they would have been playing better they probably would have lost.

To say that turnovers have been a problem for the Blue Devils is a complete understatement. That does not bode well for them against the Illini.

Illinois is an in-your-face type of defense and they love to create turnovers and that is exactly what they need to do against the Blue Devils.

Duke, obviously, has shown a penchant for turning it over and the Illini need to take advantage. They need to step up the intensity and without the crowd being on the Blue Devils side it should help even more.

Illinois is a thorn in teams’ sides on the defensive side and they need to make sure this game isn’t any different. Pressure them into turnovers and score in transition, which by the way they do extremely well also.

If Illinois can get turn them over at least 15 times they should come away with a victory and if they can force even more this could be a blowout.

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