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 Illinois has shown promise at times, including its one conference
win over nationally ranked Purdue, and the Illini got a boost
against the Hoosiers with the return of senior big man Mike Thorne
Jr. (12.9 points, 8.5 rebounds) after he missed 11 games following
surgery on a torn meniscus. He gives coach John Groce some strength
inside to pair with two of the top scorers in the league on the
perimeter, Malcolm Hill (18.2 points) and Kendrick Nunn (17.8). The
Golden Gophers’ offense hasn’t been quite as prolific, with Nate
Mason leading the way at 12.9 points per game. The young Minnesota
roster features a starting lineup of two freshmen, two sophomores
and a junior, with freshman forward Jordan Murphy showing promise
with his output of 10.6 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
ABOUT ILLINOIS (9-10, 1-5 Big Ten): The Illini have struggled with
ups and downs throughout the season, but the downs have been more
prevalent in conference play, and Groce said it has a lot to do with
a lack of leadership. Without naming names, Groce called out some of
his older players who haven't stepped into the leadership void
created when players such as Rayvonte Rice and Nnanna Egwu departed
after last season, feeling that the players need to get the Illini
back in line. "It's (about) execution of discipline and details,"
Groce told reporters. "The guys have to care about those things as
much or more than the staff does, and we need leadership echoing
those things. At some point, there's got to be leadership inside
those locker room walls. When those guys are out there playing, you
can't play for them."
[to top of second column] |
ABOUT MINNESOTA (6-13, 0-7): The Golden Gophers have yet to make a
dent in the Big Ten win column, though there are signs that the team
is making some headway, falling by single digits to Indiana and
Michigan after a pair of 25-point losses to Northwestern and
Nebraska. Minnesota players were sounding more optimistic after
falling to the Wolverines on Thursday in a game in which they were
within three with less than nine minutes to play. "That team you saw
tonight was one that is up and coming," Murphy told reporters. "That
team you saw has a lot of fight and a lot of heart, and that's what
we've got to keep growing on."
TIP-INS
1. Illinois leads the Big Ten in free-throw percentage (.788) in
league play after pacing the conference in the category last year as
well.
2. Minnesota is off to its worst start in Big Ten play since
2003-04, when it dropped its first nine league contests.
3. Richard Pitino is looking to win his 50th game as coach of the
Golden Gophers.
PREDICTION: Minnesota 68, Illinois 64
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