Illini Host Struggling Nebrasketball
When Illinois and Nebraska met in Lincoln almost 8 weeks ago, Nebraska was 7-1 and looked like an NCAA lock. The Huskers reached 11-2 before losing 6 of 8 and have currently lost 4 straight as well as 15 point per game scorer Isaac Copeland for the season. While Illinois is still scuttling along at 6-14, they have actually been better of late than the Huskers and are at home hoping to keep building with their young squad.
Setting the Stage
Illinois (6-15, 2-8 B1G) vs. Nebraska (13-8, 3-7 B1G)
Feb. 2, 2019 // 1:15 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center (15,544)
TV: BTN – Brandon Gaudin (Play-By-Play), Shon Morris (Analyst)
Internet Stream: BTN2Go.com
Radio: Fighting Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst) Satellite Radio: Sirius – 133, XM – 195
Notable
*After playing three of its last four away from home, Illinois now hosts three straight games at State Farm Center in a span of eight days, beginning Saturday afternoon against Nebraska.
* Sophomore Trent Frazier is coming off a season-high 30-point performance Wednesday night at Minnesota. It marked his fourth 25+ point game of the season and came within two of his career high. Freshman Ayo Dosunmu has been the Illini’s leading scorer in seven of the last nine games, averaging 17.1 points (154) with six 20-point outings while shooting 56.4 percent on twos (44-78) during that stretch. Fellow freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili is averaging 13.4 points (107) on 57.5 percent shooting (46-80) over the last eight games, scoring in double figures five times.
*Illinois has either led (nine times), been tied (twice), or trailed by two with the ball (once) during the second half in 12 of its 15 losses.
*To recognize the 30th anniversary of the 1988-89 Flyin’ Illini squad that advanced to the Final Four, Fighting Illini Athletics has created a series of five former Flyin’ Illini bobbleheads that will be featured at select home games this season: Kendall Gill (Jan. 10), Marcus Liberty (Jan. 16), Lowell Hamilton (Jan. 23), Kenny Battle (Feb. 2) and Nick Anderson (Feb. 5). Saturday’s game vs. Nebraska is Kenny Battle bobblehead day. Flight No. 33 was the heart and soul of the Flying’ Illini, serving as team co-captain during his senior season. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 16.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, to earn All-Big Ten honors and honorable mention All-America accolades. He shot 60.4 percent on the year and set an Illini single-season record with 89 steals that remains today. Battle was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team after scoring a game-high 28 points in the Elite Eight win over Syracuse. He then equaled his career high with 29 points vs. Michigan in the Final Four. Battle scored 1,112 points during his two seasons at Illinois, still ranking 42nd on the school’s all-time scoring list. The entire five-player Flyin’ Illini set is available for $39. Those who purchase the set will receive vouchers for each bobblehead, delivered via email approximately 48 hours prior to each game. The bobbleheads will be available for pick-up at State Farm Center at each respective player’s game. Individual bobbleheads can be purchased in advance for $10 each, or on-site inside State Farm Center on game days for $15 each.
*State Farm Center will be a sea of orange when the Fighting Illini host No. 6 Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 5 for an Orange Out presented by Gameday Spirit. Tip time against the Spartans is set for 6 p.m. CT. The first 1,000 fans to arrive at State Farm Center will receive a free orange Gameday Spirit Orange Out t-shirt. In addition, an orange Illinois basketball t-shirt will be available for just $15 at State Farm Center. All orange apparel until Feb. 5 will be 20 percent off at Gameday Spirit locations on campus and South Neil St.
*Illinois leads the all-time series, 14-8, over Nebraska in a series that dates back to 1921. Nebraska is 6-7 against Illinois since joining the Big Ten, and is looking for its first-ever season sweep of the Fighting Illini. NU has won once in the State Farm Center, a 78-67 win in 2016. NU's other win in Champaign came in the first meeting of the teams back in 1921. Prior to Nebraska joining the conference in 2011-12, the Huskers and Illini had played only once since 1976 - a 100-73 Husker victory in the 1990 San Juan Shootout.
*Three of the Huskers' primary eight rotation players are from the state of Illinois in Glynn Watson Jr. (Bellwood), Isaiah Roby (Dixon) and Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook). In addition, all three Husker assistants (Armon Gates, Jim Molinari and Michael Lewis) have coached in the state previously. Illinois assistant Ron "Chin" Coleman was on Miles' Colorado State staff and came with him to Nebraska as Director of Player Development.
*NU has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in 11 of the last 15 contests dating back to Nov. 24, and Nebraska's average of 10.4 turnovers per game is on pace to be a school record. Four of the five lowest turnover per game totals have come under Tim Miles.
*Nebraska is one of seven teams in Division I ranked in the top 25 nationally in field goal defense, 3-point defense and scoring defense through Jan. 30, a list which also includes Virginia, Texas Tech, Houston, Georgia Tech, VCU and Texas State.
Keys to the Game
1 - Attack the Offensive Glass - The Illini have done a good job of creating extra shots and opportunities by attacking the offensive glass in conference play, and Nebraska has struggled to rebound, especially since Copeland has been out. The Illini haven’t shit it well, as we will note below, and so they need the extra opportunities to get a chance at the win.
2 - Make Some 3’s - It seems so simple, but Illinois is shooting 31.4% from deep in conference play.overall, and it is even worse in the January portion. When they get clean looks, they have to knock them down. In fact, outside of Tevian Jones shooting 35% in conference play, most pf that damage from one game, nobody else is above 34%. It’s quite horrific.
3 - Handle the Length - Nebraska has some serious length, and their 1-3-1 zone has given Illinois fits at times. Frazier only got 1 3 point attempt off last time, Dosunmu was 1-8 on essentially layups and had 5 turnovers, while Jordan was
Prediction
The Illini are facing a team that is reeling with a coach on the hot seat. They are desperate for a win, and Illinois has to match their intensity. I expect they will, and find a way to pull out a 75-70 win at home and provide a bit of hope for the stretch run.
When Illinois and Nebraska met in Lincoln almost 8 weeks ago, Nebraska was 7-1 and looked like an NCAA lock. The Huskers reached 11-2 before losing 6 of 8 and have currently lost 4 straight as well as 15 point per game scorer Isaac Copeland for the season. While Illinois is still scuttling along at 6-14, they have actually been better of late than the Huskers and are at home hoping to keep building with their young squad.
Setting the Stage
Illinois (6-15, 2-8 B1G) vs. Nebraska (13-8, 3-7 B1G)
Feb. 2, 2019 // 1:15 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center (15,544)
TV: BTN – Brandon Gaudin (Play-By-Play), Shon Morris (Analyst)
Internet Stream: BTN2Go.com
Radio: Fighting Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst) Satellite Radio: Sirius – 133, XM – 195
Notable
*After playing three of its last four away from home, Illinois now hosts three straight games at State Farm Center in a span of eight days, beginning Saturday afternoon against Nebraska.
* Sophomore Trent Frazier is coming off a season-high 30-point performance Wednesday night at Minnesota. It marked his fourth 25+ point game of the season and came within two of his career high. Freshman Ayo Dosunmu has been the Illini’s leading scorer in seven of the last nine games, averaging 17.1 points (154) with six 20-point outings while shooting 56.4 percent on twos (44-78) during that stretch. Fellow freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili is averaging 13.4 points (107) on 57.5 percent shooting (46-80) over the last eight games, scoring in double figures five times.
*Illinois has either led (nine times), been tied (twice), or trailed by two with the ball (once) during the second half in 12 of its 15 losses.
*To recognize the 30th anniversary of the 1988-89 Flyin’ Illini squad that advanced to the Final Four, Fighting Illini Athletics has created a series of five former Flyin’ Illini bobbleheads that will be featured at select home games this season: Kendall Gill (Jan. 10), Marcus Liberty (Jan. 16), Lowell Hamilton (Jan. 23), Kenny Battle (Feb. 2) and Nick Anderson (Feb. 5). Saturday’s game vs. Nebraska is Kenny Battle bobblehead day. Flight No. 33 was the heart and soul of the Flying’ Illini, serving as team co-captain during his senior season. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 16.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, to earn All-Big Ten honors and honorable mention All-America accolades. He shot 60.4 percent on the year and set an Illini single-season record with 89 steals that remains today. Battle was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team after scoring a game-high 28 points in the Elite Eight win over Syracuse. He then equaled his career high with 29 points vs. Michigan in the Final Four. Battle scored 1,112 points during his two seasons at Illinois, still ranking 42nd on the school’s all-time scoring list. The entire five-player Flyin’ Illini set is available for $39. Those who purchase the set will receive vouchers for each bobblehead, delivered via email approximately 48 hours prior to each game. The bobbleheads will be available for pick-up at State Farm Center at each respective player’s game. Individual bobbleheads can be purchased in advance for $10 each, or on-site inside State Farm Center on game days for $15 each.
*State Farm Center will be a sea of orange when the Fighting Illini host No. 6 Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 5 for an Orange Out presented by Gameday Spirit. Tip time against the Spartans is set for 6 p.m. CT. The first 1,000 fans to arrive at State Farm Center will receive a free orange Gameday Spirit Orange Out t-shirt. In addition, an orange Illinois basketball t-shirt will be available for just $15 at State Farm Center. All orange apparel until Feb. 5 will be 20 percent off at Gameday Spirit locations on campus and South Neil St.
*Illinois leads the all-time series, 14-8, over Nebraska in a series that dates back to 1921. Nebraska is 6-7 against Illinois since joining the Big Ten, and is looking for its first-ever season sweep of the Fighting Illini. NU has won once in the State Farm Center, a 78-67 win in 2016. NU's other win in Champaign came in the first meeting of the teams back in 1921. Prior to Nebraska joining the conference in 2011-12, the Huskers and Illini had played only once since 1976 - a 100-73 Husker victory in the 1990 San Juan Shootout.
*Three of the Huskers' primary eight rotation players are from the state of Illinois in Glynn Watson Jr. (Bellwood), Isaiah Roby (Dixon) and Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook). In addition, all three Husker assistants (Armon Gates, Jim Molinari and Michael Lewis) have coached in the state previously. Illinois assistant Ron "Chin" Coleman was on Miles' Colorado State staff and came with him to Nebraska as Director of Player Development.
*NU has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in 11 of the last 15 contests dating back to Nov. 24, and Nebraska's average of 10.4 turnovers per game is on pace to be a school record. Four of the five lowest turnover per game totals have come under Tim Miles.
*Nebraska is one of seven teams in Division I ranked in the top 25 nationally in field goal defense, 3-point defense and scoring defense through Jan. 30, a list which also includes Virginia, Texas Tech, Houston, Georgia Tech, VCU and Texas State.
Keys to the Game
1 - Attack the Offensive Glass - The Illini have done a good job of creating extra shots and opportunities by attacking the offensive glass in conference play, and Nebraska has struggled to rebound, especially since Copeland has been out. The Illini haven’t shit it well, as we will note below, and so they need the extra opportunities to get a chance at the win.
2 - Make Some 3’s - It seems so simple, but Illinois is shooting 31.4% from deep in conference play.overall, and it is even worse in the January portion. When they get clean looks, they have to knock them down. In fact, outside of Tevian Jones shooting 35% in conference play, most pf that damage from one game, nobody else is above 34%. It’s quite horrific.
3 - Handle the Length - Nebraska has some serious length, and their 1-3-1 zone has given Illinois fits at times. Frazier only got 1 3 point attempt off last time, Dosunmu was 1-8 on essentially layups and had 5 turnovers, while Jordan was
Prediction
The Illini are facing a team that is reeling with a coach on the hot seat. They are desperate for a win, and Illinois has to match their intensity. I expect they will, and find a way to pull out a 75-70 win at home and provide a bit of hope for the stretch run.
