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Northwestern looks to continue its late-season surge after
pulling away in the second half to upset Indiana 72-65 on
Wednesday. The Wildcats have won four Big Ten games in a row for
the first time since the 1966-67 campaign and set their sights
on downing the Fighting Illini for the third straight time on
the road. "We're playing well and the guys are confident,"
Northwestern coach Chris Collins told reporters. "I'm really
proud of what we've done in these last couple of weeks."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, BTN
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (14-14, 5-10 Big Ten): Tre Demps matched a
career high with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the win over
Hoosiers. Alex Olah recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds for his
sixth double-double of the season, and also recorded two blocked
shots to move into sole possession of first place on the
school's all-time list with 138. Vic Law, who is the reigning
Big Ten Freshman of the Week, tallied 14 points and eight
rebounds off the bench to finish in double figures for the
second straight game.
ABOUT ILLINOIS (17-11, 7-8): Rayvonte Rice led the way with 21
points and nine rebounds in a reserve role and Ahmad Starks
matched his career high with 19 points in the loss to the
Hawkeyes. Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn were limited to a
combined nine points on 4-of-21 shooting as the Fighting Illini
couldn't overcome a 33.3 percent performance from the field. "I
didn't think (Hill) was very good tonight ... but he wasn't the
only one," Illinois coach John Groce told reporters. "Our team
has to be collectively a lot sharper."
TIP-INS
1. Northwestern has won three of the last four meetings.
2. Illinois leads the nation in free-throw shooting at 79.5
percent.
3. Nunn is 1-of-14 from 3-point range in his last three games.
PREDICTION: Illinois 68, Northwestern 67
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