CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at United Center on December 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Illinois basketball team struggled in their first regular Big Ten Conference game of the season on Wednesday night.

This was a game the Illini would like to have won but they started off slow and couldn’t recover. They ended up getting the score to a four-point margin but that was it for the Illini. The final horn blew and they lost the game 77-67 at the hands of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Illinois now takes on the Michigan Wolverines in what should be another tough road test to start conference play.

The Wolverines come into the game on Saturday with a 13-3 record overall and a 2-1 Big Ten record. They have won six straight games after falling to Ohio State on the road back in early December. This is a good Michigan team and the Illini need to be on top of their game.

Michigan has a very experienced team and that is dangerous. Their leading scorer – Charles Matthews – is a transfer from Kentucky and he has been sensational this season. He is averaging 16 points per game to go along with his 5.3 rebounds and 3 assists. The Wolverines actually have four players averaging double-digit points this season. Mo Wagner is averaging 14.1 PPG, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman is at 10.9 PPG and Duncan Robinson is the three-point sharpshooter averaging 10.1 PPG.

Those four are their main scorers but beyond them, there isn’t a ton of scoring help. That is why Michigan only ranks No. 135 in the nation in scoring, averaging 75.1 PPG. Since Michigan relies so heavily on their starters, a good strategy for the Illini would be to take it at Michigan. The guards need to drive the ball so they can get the Michigan players in foul trouble. This would force them to go to their bench.

Michigan is also one of the best three-point shooting teams in the nation as well. They are averaging 9.4 three-pointers made per game and that ranks No. 47 in the nation. One strength for the Illini this season has been three-point defense. Their opponents are only shooting 32.3-percent from deep this season and that ranks No. 74 in the nation. Illinois just needs to stay status quo on defense. Continue moving around and being active. The Illini guards will be key in this area.

Illinois shouldn’t have to worry too much about Michigan and their rebounding. Their leading rebounder is Wagner with 7.2 rebounds per game. As a team, they are averaging 34.3 RPG which is No. 220 in the nation.

Honestly, Illinois matches up pretty well with Michigan. The Wolverines are good at shooting the three-point shot and that is a specialty for the Illini defense. Michigan’s rebounding abilities are somewhat similar to the Illini’s, so there isn’t much of a worry there. Illinois also needs to draw fouls on Michigan’s starters and this has been a strength as well. The Illini draw an average of 22 fouls per game which ranks No. 8 in the nation.

I love this matchup for the Illini this season. If Illinois could go into Michigan and come away with a win, it would be huge for the rest of the season and NCAA tournament aspirations.