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https://www.basketunderreview.com/2026-final-four-deep-dives-illinois/
Underwood's defensive philosophy underwent one major shift this offseason. He had been in the Top 50 of lowest 3-point rate allowed in six straight seasons, sitting in the Top 10 in three of the last four years. But this year Illinois is 300th in 3-point rate allowed. The Fighting Illini have sacrificed allowing more threes for the benefit of allowing fewer rim attempts. They allowed between 38% and 39% of opponents shots at the rim over the previous three years, but are all the way down to 31% this year, the fifth-lowest rate in the country. Because Illinois is the single-tallest team in the nation across all five positions, but certainly not the most athletic, the concept is simple. Deny driving lanes, keep the ball in front, try not to help, and force shots to be taken over length. When the team does allow open threes, its lack of pressure and focus on individual matchups allows it to dictate who they want taking those looks. Illinois allowed 16 open jumpers in its wins over Houston and Iowa last weekend. Let's see who took those attempts: Chase McCarty x4 (36%)
Chris Cenac x4 (33%)
Milos Uzan x2 (34%)
Mercy Miller (34%)
Isaia Howard x2 (28%)
Alvaro Folgueiras (33%)
Kael Combs (33%)
Bennett Stirtz (36%)
Houston and Iowa's two best 3-point shooters combined to take just one open three in two games (Stirtz). The rest were basically all guys Illinois was willing to let fire away. In exchange, that Fighting Illini soft coverage allowed just 20 total rim attempts between those two contests. Not to dive into massive Division I defensive trends, but I think Illinois is ahead of the curve here. Allowing more threes, but trying to force them to come unassisted off the dribble, while forcing the open ones to be taken by bad shooters, all culminating in fewer rim attempts allowed as a by-product, is the smartest way to play defense when you have the size to execute it.