Earned Respect: The key to success in Illinois

TCR Contributor CJ Jackson is a former member of the Illinois Basketball team, playing for the Illini from 2005-09.

Fresh off a drop out of the Top 25 following a single loss to the then-No. 4 team in the country, the Illini face an uncertain season. “Prove it!”

Despite beating the No. 1 team in the nation (Kansas) in an exhibition match and going down to the wire with the No. 4 team (Marquette), Illinois still has much to prove. The challenge lies in earning the respect of the nation.

How do we earn respect?

Under promising and over delivering will be the key strategy for the Illini this season. Despite being viewed as underdogs, the team must play with a chip on their shoulder and prove their worth.

Acknowledging strong teams in the conference, such as rival Pur-don’t, the Illini must remind themselves of their ability to beat top teams under the spotlight.

It’s believed that the team performed well against Kansas and was close to victory against Marquette. The Illini is not backing down from highly ranked opponents and aims to make a lasting impression in the NCAA tournament.

What’s working?

Rebounding is crucial for the Illini’s success, with Quincy Guerrier excelling on the boards, propelling the team to a top 5 position in the nation for rebounding.

The team must rely on Terrence Shannon Jr.’s aggressive play, as his dominance on the court significantly impacts the team’s performance.

This is KEY.

Shannon Jr.’s assertive and versatile playstyle poses a threat to opponents, making him a critical player for the Illini’s success.

What needs to improve?

The team must address its free throw shooting, as a subpar percentage could be detrimental in close games. Players like Dain Dainja, Goode, and Guerrier need to improve their accuracy from the free throw line.

Despite being dropped from the rankings, the Illini remain optimistic about their potential for growth and improvement as the season progresses. The team’s depth, defense, and versatility will surely silence doubters as the season unfolds.

As a former player, there’s nothing more satisfying than proving the doubters wrong through on-court success.