Illini Basketball vs Hampton: 

 

It’s that time of night again and yes I am talking about Illini basketball! I took Wednesday night off, against The Citadel, but I am back at the SFC to watch the Illini take on Hampton. Here’s what we know: 

 

Hampton University Pirates are located in Hampton VA. Hampton has had two NIT appearances (2014, 2017) and three NCAA tournament appearances (2011, 2015, 2016)  and Hampton is 3-1 on the year with wins coming against Mid-Atl. Chir. (112-52), Apprentice(95-63), and Regent(93-50). Their only loss of the season was against William & Mary (65-78).  The Pirates last game looked like this: 

 

Ben Staley matched his career-high in points with 20 and paired that with 11 boards. He also had two blocks in that win over Regent University this past Thursday night. Hampton also broke off a 25-5 run in that game, something that the Illini have had tendencies this season to give up. 

 

Limit the scoring runs for the Pirates and score points, the Illini are in good shape to win the game, I could not find the KenPom rankings on Hampton and to put it into perspective, The Citadel was ranked #321.

 

Probable Starters for the Pirates tonight: 

Russell Dean(FR) 

Jermaine Marrow(SR)

Davion Warren(JR)

Greg Hecksall(JR)

Pierre Sow(FR) 

 

The Illini are back on the hardwood tonight for their third straight game at home. Last time out they beat The Citadel 85-57 in a televised game on BTN. Tonight’s game will be on BTN+. The Illini are ranked second in the nation in offensive rebound rate at 45.8% I wonder why? Kofi Cockburn is tied for the NCAA lead with double-doubles and is also the 5th best rebounder in the NCAA, and the best among freshman thus far with 12.6 per game. 

 

Probable Starters for the Illini: 

Ayo Dosunmu(SO)

Andres Feliz(SR)

Trent Frazier(JR)

Giorgi Bezhanishvili(SO)

Kofi Cockburn(FR) 

 

Cale’s Keys to the Game: 

 

Get Ayo Hot: Ayo is still looking for that breakout scoring game for this season, something tells me it will be tonight. Feed Ayo and let him take over. 

 

3PT Production: Trent also needs to heat up beyond the arc. If he hits one or two early in the contest, feed him. Trent is the type of player that when he’s on he’s on. 

 

I will be live-tweeting the game since I am in attendance and will be back at halftime with an update. You can follow me on @calefleming10