CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Report: Chicago Bulls Brass Losing Faith In Star Player This Offseason
  • Horrible player: Chicago Bulls fans react to Scottie Pippen dissing Michael Jordan
  • Chicago Bears fans getting excited about All-Pro wide receiver who just hit free agency
  • Report: Chicago Bears rival player under investigation for major violation (Breaking News)
  • Chicago Bears key starter admits they have to ‘prove it’ to the front office this year
  • Why it is best to play sports video games with your friends
  • Chicago Bulls named In trade proposal that swaps Zach LaVine for former No. 1 pick
  • Kyle Hendricks nearing return to Cubs
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS

    Chicago Bears fans getting excited about All-Pro wide receiver who just hit free agency

    May 26, 2023

    Report: Chicago Bears rival player under investigation for major violation (Breaking News)

    May 26, 2023

    Chicago Bears key starter admits they have to ‘prove it’ to the front office this year

    May 25, 2023

    Report: 2 Chicago Bears Defensive End Trade Targets Skip Practice

    May 24, 2023

    Chicago Bears: 3 major changes we learned about in Tuesday’s practice

    May 24, 2023
  • BULLS

    Report: Chicago Bulls Brass Losing Faith In Star Player This Offseason

    May 28, 2023

    Horrible player: Chicago Bulls fans react to Scottie Pippen dissing Michael Jordan

    May 26, 2023

    Chicago Bulls named In trade proposal that swaps Zach LaVine for former No. 1 pick

    May 25, 2023

    Chicago Bulls widely rumored to land 12x All-Star (Trade Report)

    May 22, 2023

    BREAKING: Former Chicago Bulls player; star announces retirement (NBA News)

    May 22, 2023
  • BLACKHAWKS

    The Connor Bedard Effect in Chicago

    May 9, 2023

    Chicago Blackhawks 2022/23 Season Recap

    April 17, 2023

    WATCH: Jonathan Toews scores goal in final game with Blackhawks

    April 13, 2023

    Jonathan Toews to play last game with the Chicago Blackhawks

    April 13, 2023

    BREAKING: Chicago Blackhawks trade Patrick Kane

    February 28, 2023
  • CUBS

    Kyle Hendricks nearing return to Cubs

    May 24, 2023

    Justin Steele named early Cy Young candidate

    May 17, 2023

    FOCO releases new Snoopy bobbleheads as part of Peanuts Collection

    May 17, 2023

    Cubs calling up Christopher Morel

    May 8, 2023

    Former Chicago Cubs pitcher hints at possible return

    May 8, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    FOCO releases new Snoopy bobbleheads as part of Peanuts Collection

    May 17, 2023

    WATCH: The Chicago White Sox have completely given up at this point in pathetic video

    April 29, 2023

    Luis Robert a major positive in an otherwise bad start for the Chicago White Sox

    April 19, 2023

    Chicago White Sox Players Frustrated With Early Injuries

    April 12, 2023

    White Sox place SS Tim Anderson on IL

    April 11, 2023
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Home»Uncategorized»Northwestern and Illinois have a lot in common
Uncategorized

Northwestern and Illinois have a lot in common

Z PBy Z PJanuary 14, 20153 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

 

It’s one of the biggest rivalries in Chicago sports… The Northwestern Wildcats (10-6 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-6, 1-3) will do battle on the hardwood for the first time this season on Wednesday night.

In recent years this rivalry has been one-sided, usually in favor of the Illini. But this time, things are more evenly matched. Aside from their win-loss records being almost identical, both teams are enduring losing streaks.

Illinois has lost three of their last four while the Cats’ have lost two straight. The Illini have been going through the motions offensively after losing their star player, senior guard Rayvonte Rice, to injury.  NU on other hand has been struggling to find an offensive identity as a team.

Both teams are shooting just a little over 400-percent from the field, and they’re both allowing just over 60 points per game defensively. NU coach Chris Collins is dealing with the growing pains of developing five freshman who will eventually lead the program.

U of I coach John Groce is molding a team that’s experienced but inconsistent. Both teams starting centers -Northwestern’s Alex Olah and Illinois’ Nnanna Egwu– are physically imposing on paper, but don’t always impose their will when needed.

One of the more interesting match ups in this game will be between the two young forwards, Wildcats freshman Vic Law and Fighting Illini sophomore Malcolm Hill. Hill is Illinois’ leading scorer (13.9 points per game) with the absence of Rice.

Law is only averaging 6.8 points per game, but he’s improved his defense over the course of the season, and at 6-7 he’ll give Hill problems in the post. The strength of both teams is their guards. Northwestern’s Tre Demps (12.4 PPG) and Bryant McIntosh (12.2) are the Cats’ leading scorers.

Illinois has always leaned heavily on their backcourt, especially when Rice and Tracy Abrams are healthy. But with both players out, it’s now up to Kendrick Nunn, Ahmad Starks, and Aaron Cosby to shoulder the load.

Both teams are fighting for relevance, respect, and a postseason tournament berth. This nationally televised contest could set the tone for both programs for the remainder of the season. Here is how this game will be decided……

Both teams need to come out firing on all cylinders right out of the gate. They’ll need to be consistent on offense and stingy on defense. Northwestern needs another solid effort from Demps and McIntosch, a big game from Olah, double figures and a solid defensive effort from Law, and production from the bench.

Illinois needs someone other than Hill to provide scoring, a dominant effort from Egwu, another strong performance from Hill, and they must contain Northwestern’s guards. Both teams split this series last year, but this year that won’t be good enough if both teams want to play in March.

They may be similar now, but they’ll need to separate from one another in order to have success in the long run. Follow me on Twitter @GabeSalgado82

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Big Ten Conference Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Northwestern Wildcats
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

Uncategorized May 24, 2023

Is Teven Jenkins the next best offensive guard in the NFL?

Uncategorized April 27, 2023

Chicago Bears fans twitter reacts to their trade and first round pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Uncategorized April 5, 2023

How the Online Gaming Industry Is Evolving

Uncategorized March 16, 2023

Bears add RB D’Onta Foreman to a 1-year-deal

Uncategorized March 12, 2023

How Technology is Changing the NFL Game

Uncategorized January 25, 2023

Commanders insider has good news about potential Chicago Bears free agent target

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

x
x