At 18-3, there’s no question Illinois is a contender

With roughly two-thirds of the season in the books, Illinois basketball finds itself in rare air. At 18=3, this is the program’s best start since the 2005-06 team, and that record alone demands instant respect from the field and the designation of a title-contender.

More importantly, this roster looks like the finished product Brad Underwood envisioned when he assembled it. Roles are defined. Strengths are clear. Weaknesses, while present, are largely understood and, at times, by design. And before Illinois heads into the annual pressure cooker that is March, it’s worth taking a step back to ask the question: What kind of team is this, really?

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To answer that, let’s break down what Illinois does exceptionally well and where the cracks still show.

What Illinois Does Well

An Offense Built on Efficiency, Not Flash

Illinois’ offense doesn’t overwhelm you with pace or highlight-reel chaos. Instead, it quietly suffocates teams with efficiency. That starts with a true shooting percentage of 60.7%, which sits in the 93rd percentile nationally.

The Illini also lean heavily into the modern game, with slightly over half (50.2%) of their field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc, ranking in the 96th percentile, but this isn’t a reckless volume, as may have been the case in previous years. Illinois pairs that volume with smart shot selection and spacing.

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The shot profile tells the story. Illinois takes significantly more above-the-break threes than the Division I average, about 7.5% more, and still converts them at an above-average clip. At the rim, they finish roughly 70% of their attempts, well above national norms. Corner threes have been another quiet weapon, with Illinois knocking those down at a 40% clip.

Absolute Bullies on the Offensive Glass

Although this is nothing new to Brad Underwood teams, it is still remarkable how well the Illini grab offensive rebounds every year. This year is no exception. They are grabbing an absurd 40% of their own…

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Publish date : 2026-01-31 04:26:00

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