Illinois surged up to secure the last No. 3 seed, and Brad Underwood will not be complaining about this draw. A date with Morehead State is up first, and the Eagles struggled mightily with the three best high-major clubs it played. No. 6 seed BYU plays some of the most high-variance games in the country because of its reliance on the 3-ball. Over 50% of BYU’s shots are 3s, and Illinois’ defense relies heavily on limiting 3-point attempts.
BYU’s leaky transition defense should offer Terrence Shannon Jr. some free runs to the tin. BYU allows teams to shoot over 64% at the rim.
That won’t fly against an aggressive, enormous Illini lineup that lives at the rim.
Illinois’ elite offense against Iowa State’s elite defense would be an insane stylistic clash in the Sweet 16, but Illinois carved Northwestern’s defense twice. Why is that important? Iowa State, like Northwestern, loves to trap the post early and often.
