Illinois vs. IUPUI
7 p.m.
TV: None (ESPN3 stream)
After beating NC State decisively and putting forth its best defensive performance of the year against VCU, Illinois is starting to look the basketball team fans expected. In fact, after Saturday’s win, the Illini are ranked higher in the KenPom rankings than Illinois State for the first time this season (69 vs. 80). This may not seem like a big deal, but few fans expect ISU to be regarded as the best team in the state of Illinois.
This evening’s opponent, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (colloquially “ooh-ee-poo-ee”) is not so highly regarded in the KenPom rankings, checking in at 153. The Jaugars come in with a 3-5 record, including a loss to the Redbirds of ISU. Despite the record, the Jags have a solid guard in Darrel Combs (16.9 ppg, 3.5 apg) and forward in Matt O’Leary (14 ppg, 6.9 rpg). With three players averaging more than 3 assists, IUPUI can also dish the ball pretty well.
Illinois, though, can easily dispatch the Jaguars with more of the same effort. The offense of IUPUI is a bit more efficient than VCU, but they’re still being outscored by opponents as a whole (including opposition such as SIUE and Eastern Kentucky). Leron Black comes into the game averaging 12.8 points and 8 rebounds; if he stays hot, Illinois might laugh the Jags out of the building.
My prediction: Te’Jon Lucas gets big minutes and posts double-digit assists in a never-close Illini win.