With the pressuring, over-guarding defensive system Brad Underwood has installed, forced turnovers are critical to Illini basketball success.
We saw it work successfully Feb. 5 when Big Ten co-champion Michigan State unraveled with 24 miscues in a 79-74 loss here at State Farm Center. At one point late this season, opponents had committed roughly 100 more turnovers than Illinois, and were failing to get off a shot in nearly one-fourth of their possessions.
The tradeoff: Forced turnovers are offset by the fact that Illinois left lanes for too many easy baskets.
The danger in this pressuring approach is that, with the surprise element fading, careful foes may ultimately take advantage.