Illinois heads to Iowa City for a top-20 Big Ten matchup that will reveal a lot about who this Illini team really is. This isn’t about hype or rankings — it’s a system game, a discipline game, and a clash of identities. Iowa wants to slow you down, disrupt your rhythm, and force you to play uncomfortable basketball. Illinois wants to impose size, spacing, and balance. In this episode, I break down: • Iowa’s efficiency-driven offense and suffocating defense • Why Bennett Stirtz is the key to Iowa’s rhythm • Where Iowa is actually vulnerable (and how Illinois can exploit it) • Why patience, rebounding, and physicality matter more than shooting • What a win in Iowa City would say about Illinois’ ceiling This one won’t be pretty — but it is absolutely winnable.

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Welcome to Locked On Illini, your one-stop show for all things Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball! Join host Sunny Verma as he brings you in-depth analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Whether you're a die-hard Illini fan or just looking to stay updated on the latest in college sports, this is the podcast for you. Tune in on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms for fresh episodes and all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game. Get ready to be Locked On Illini! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball and football!

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