Though many things have not been the same in 2020, something college basketball fans will get that they are accustomed to is the border battle between Missouri and Illinois on Saturday with both teams featuring a ton of experience.
Missouri has begun the season 4-0 thanks in large part to rating 24th in the country in opponents’ field goal shooting percentage. Illinois’ 4-1 start, meanwhile, is headlined by leading the country in rebound rate.
Both teams come in with offenses that are much improved from a season ago. Illinois is 11th in the country in points on a per possession basis, and Missouri is 29th. A season ago, Illinois was 96th and Missouri 209th.
While each team has a balanced scoring attack that features five players registering at least 8.5 points per game, Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu has put up the type of numbers to warrant All-America consideration with 22.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, six assists, and a steal per game.
He headlines an Illinois unit that is third in the country in 3-point shooting percentage in games played against Division I competition. Because Missouri is 159th in outside shooting and 140th in defensive rebound percentage, Illinois should take control of this rivalry matchup.
The Play: Illinois -2.