Illinois Info
Head Coach: John Groce
Location: Champaign-Urbana, IL
Conference: B1G 10
Nickname: Fighting Illini
Last time out: Beat Penn St.
Typical Rotation Depth: 9-10 players
Line: Huskers by 4
Shirt not to wear: Orange, Bright orange, neon orange, puke orange
Fun Fact :
Possible Starters
Huskers
0 Tai Webster 6-4 194 Fr
15 Ray Gallegos 6-2 182 Sr
5 Terran Petteway 6-6 209 So
31 Shavon Shields 6-7 219 So
35 Walter Pitchford 6-10 234 So
Fighting Illini
13 Tracy Abrams 6-2 190 Jr
25 Kendrick Nunn 6-3 180 Fr
24 Rayvonte Rice 6-4 235 Jr
21 Malcolm Hill 6-6 210 Fr
32 Nnanna Egwu 6-11 250 Jr
The Skinny
In early January, Illinois was a top 25 team. They proceeded to lose 8 straight conference games and have crashed into the basement, the projected preseason home of Nebrasketball. John Groce changed up his lineup, adding freshmen Nunn and Hill which resulted in a 5 point win on the road at Penn St. Nunn and Hill bring shooting to the table, something that the Illini have struggled with in the conference. A poor shooting team that struggles to make it to the free throw lane? That's how you lose 8 in a row.
The Penn St game footage should give the Huskers all the scouting they need on Nunn and Hill's mid-range games. The Illini have a worse assist ratio than the Huskers and don't have a group of dominating inside players. On paper it's a good matchup for the Huskers.
The biggest shift you'll see in the Husker's offensive game plan depends on whether 6-11 shot blocking Nnanna Egwu is in the game. His early game matchup with Pitchford very well might dictate the entire pace of the game. In the end, look for Huskers to have a decent home shooting night and win this thing at the free throw line.
Prediction: Huskers 64 - Illinois 58 with a 38% chance of Runzas
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