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Message: [QUOTE="Illini98, post: 4939419, member: 13314"] I would quibble with the characterization of Rodgers as Illinois’ best defender. He is a great rebounder and a versatile defender in terms of being able to guard 1-4, but make no mistake, Shannon is Illinois’ best defender and it isn’t particularly close. Illinois’ staff is heavy into analytics and Underwood has been pretty open this year about setting lineups based on offense and not defense. Illinois is going to think about this game as a math problem. The goal will be to take away three point shots and free throws for UConn. I know that sounds way easier said than done, but that’s the defensive philosophy. And at times it will seem like a layup line for UConn. Meanwhile, I think everything Illinois does in this game - from matchups to schemes - will be predicated on getting Clingan out of the lane. It’s our only chance to win. [/QUOTE]