The Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road to face the Western Michigan Broncos
The No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) will face their first true road game of the season when they head to the University Arena in Read Fieldhouse to take on the Western Michigan Broncos (1-2) on Saturday 27 November.
If the Illini hopes to improve their all-time record against the Broncos to 4-0, they’ll have to implement that signature defence that has them off to such a hot start this season. In their most recent victory over Yale, Illinois struggled from the offensive
end of the floor, hitting just 12 of their 32 first half attempts. Despite their offensive inconsistency, however, the Illini held the Bulldogs to a field goal percentage of 28.6 per cent while forcing their opponents to commit 22 turnovers in the 73-47 win.
Illinois has ratcheted up their defensive efforts this season, particularly around the three-point line, where they have allowed opponents to shoot just 26.2 percent this year. The Bulldogs were the latest to be stifled by Illinois’ stingy perimeter defence,
going just four of 20 from behind the arc.
“The last few games we’ve played at home we’ve shot the ball so well,” Illinois coach Bruce Weber said after the victory. “Today we didn’t have that zone, that feeling. We found a way. When you guard at home, it gives you a chance to control games.”
The Illini took last year’s match-up, 88-53, mainly because of their defence. Illinois held the Broncos to just 3 for 29 from beyond the arc in last year’s contest, limiting Western Michigan to 24.2 per cent from the floor overall, their worst performance of
the season. Even though Illinois failed to score a field goal in the game’s first five minutes, they enjoyed a 23-point lead at the half and coasted to victory.
The match-up will mark the first time since 1981 that the Fighting Illini will play their first road game of the season against a Mid-American Conference squad. Illinois started their season with convincing victories over UC Irvine, Toledo, and Southern Illinois,
before splitting a pair of games against Texas (loss) and Maryland (win) in last week’s 2K Sports Classic.
After their showdown with the Broncos, the Illini dig into a tough out of conference schedule that includes the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels and a trip out west to face the No. 22 Gonzaga Bulldogs.
“This will probably be the toughest schedule we’ve played [since I’ve been here],” senior centre Mike Tisdale, who tallied 10 points and a career high-tying 13 rebounds, told reporters after Tuesday’s win over Yale. “We’re going to focus on this stretch and
hopefully get a lot of wins.”
Tisdale will likely be charged with shutting down the Broncos’ biggest offensive threat, forward Flenard Whitfield, who is averaging 17 points and six boards per game this season.
The Illini, however, seem to have too many weapons for Western Michigan to counter. The Broncos will have their hands full with senior guard Demetri McCamey, who is averaging 16.2 points and 7.3 assists per game this season, both of which are team highs.
Expect Illinois to get the win then turn their attention to the Tar Heels in what will likely be a top-25 showdown.
Prediction: Illinois 86, Western Michigan 64
Tags: