Next test for Illini: Solve nation’s best defense
No one can say Illinois coach Brad Underwood hasn't paid his dues.
Underwood spent 11 seasons coaching at Western Illinois, and not as a head coach. He was an assistant to Jim Kerwin from 1992-2003. The city of Macomb can grow on you, but that's a long time to spend at a lower-tier mid-major.
He also logged seven years at two junior colleges. Underwood was 50 when he got his first Division I head coaching opportunity at Stephen F. Austin.
With that kind of history under his belt, the Sweet Sixteen in Boston offers a chance for Underwood to channel his life experience into the ultimate final exam.
The No. 3-seeded Illini will take on No. 2 Iowa State on Thursday. It's an interesting matchup, since Illinois is the No. 1 team in the KenPom adjusted offensive ratings, while the Cyclones are No. 1 in defense. For what it's worth, Iowa State (49) rates higher on offense than Illinois (92) on defense.
But Underwood has a talented and versatile squad, along with one of the stars of the tournament in Terrence Shannon Jr. Now all he has to do is devise a way to attack that vaunted Iowa State defense.
“I'm not oblivious to think that we won't turn the ball over a few times,” Underwood said Wednesday in Boston. “You've got to be very decisive in your decisions. You've got to be ball tough.”
Iowa State ranks second in the country in turnovers forced, is top five in steals, 12th in field-goal percentage defense. ISU has won 10 of 11 and the most points allowed during that stretch was 65.
Trouble starts with the two guards: 6-foot-1 sophomore Tamin Lipsey is the ball-pressuring pest who ranks fourth in the country in steals with 2.7 per game. Keshon Gilbert at 6-4, is more of the smooth, long-armed wing-stopper. The Cyclones aren't huge but count on 6-10 Robert Jones and 6-9 Hason Ward to protect the rim.
Underwood used a football analogy to describe Illinois' task. He'd rather punt than throw a pick-6.
“Take the five-second count if you're in trouble, punt it 24 rows up into the stands,” Underwood said. “Just don't jump up in the air and throw it and let them get an uncontested layup that we can't defend on our end.”
There are a couple ways to attack the Cyclones. One is to get out on the fast break and leave those defensive principles in the dust. Shannon has averaged 30.5 points over his last six games, which includes plenty of layups and free throws. His speed has been a game-changer in the postseason.
A potential strategy in the half-court is to stick with the usual plan of letting Marcus Domask play “booty ball” and back down opponents until the defense reacts. Iowa State likes to double-team to force the ball out of the post, so if Domask can make smart passes, the Illini could get good looks on the perimeter. For all the trapping the Cyclones do, they've allowed just 31.5% shooting from the 3-point line.
Domask, who spent four years at SIU before moving to Champaign, has proven to be an adept playmaker. He had a triple-double in the first round against Morehead State and averaged 8.3 assists in the last four games.
“I give my dad a lot of credit,” Domask said Wednesday. “My dad coached me ever since I was super young. A phrase he always used was, 'There's two positions — you're either on the bench or on the court.' You want to be able to do as many things as possible to stay on the court and just be versatile.”
Iowa State's offense is balanced, with six players averaging between 7.8 and 13.7 points. It's relatively rare for anyone to record a 20-point game. Then again, the Cyclones' plan is for 65 to 70 points being all they need to win.
Thursday's other game in Boston is a 2023 title game rematch between Connecticut and San Diego State. Whoever wins the Illinois-Iowa State clash of styles figures to get an even tougher test in the next round.
Underwood and the Illini need to pass the midterm first.
Twitter: @McGrawDHSports