Illinois basketball defense tested by No. 4 Marquette

Illinois coach Brad Underwood points towards a defensive identity being built with this year's squad as they face No. 4 Marquette.

Illinois' Quincy Guerrier made an impressive slam dunk during the season opener men's basketball game against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 7 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. After two games, Illinois coach Brad Underwood emphasized the development of a defensive identity with this year's squad. The team faces a challenging matchup against No. 4 Marquette and its fast-paced offense at the State Farm Center. Underwood highlighted the importance of limiting Marquette's three-point shooting and staying focused on defense away from the ball. Marquette returns over 80% of its scoring from a team that was a No. 2 seed in last year's tournament and beat eventual national champion Connecticut twice. The team's backcourt duo, Kam Jones and Tyler Kolek, presents a significant threat, and Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. has been instrumental in quieting opposing backcourts. The team's lineup flexibility and defensive prowess have contributed to their success in the early games of the season. The upcoming game against Marquette will test their ability to adapt and compete at a high level. The game is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Fans can catch the action on Fox Sports 1 or listen to the radio broadcast on various stations. Both teams have had strong starts to the season, and the matchup promises to be an exciting and competitive game.