UI women hoping to pack the place
The Illini (7-14, 1-7 Big Ten) look to build momentum coming off their first conference win when they host No. 19 Nebraska (17-3, 6-2) at noon today.
Radio: Dave Loane and Mike Koon have the call on WDWS 1400-AM.
In the news
With Thursday's overtime win at Michigan State, the Illini avoided coming a step closer to their worst start in Big Ten play under Jolette Law. Illinois started the 2008-09 conference season with nine straight losses. ... This is the sixth meeting between Illinois and Nebraska and first for the Cornhuskers as a member of the Big Ten. Nebraska holds a 3-2 series and won the last meeting in 1992. ... The Illini are 0-4 against Top 25 teams this season. ... The Cornhuskers are third in the conference, averaging 73.9 points per game and they lead the league in three-pointers made at 7.4 per game. ... Today is Pack the Hall Day at the Assembly Hall. Admission and parking are free and the Illini will sign autographs after the game.
In the spotlight
Adrienne GodBold, Illinois. The junior had been a scoring machine of late, netting a career-high against Penn State and scoring 18 against Ohio State. She scored nine in the win against Michigan State, but she secured a rebound in the closing seconds of regulation and sprung the Illini to a lead with a bucket on the first possession of overtime.
Jordan Hooper, Nebraska. The 6-foot-2 forward leads the Cornhuskers and is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 20.1 points per game and leads the conference in rebounding (9.2). Hooper had 22 points and 15 rebounds the last time out against Iowa and will likely be matched against Karisma Penn.
Kersten Magrum, Illinois. The third-year sophomore forward returned to action at Michigan State after missing the previous four games with a concussion. She had eight points, four rebounds and three blocks in 28 minutes.
Prediction
Nebraska 77, Illinois 70. The Illini are feeling good about themselves and rightfully so after the overtime win. But the Cornhuskers come to the Assembly Hall fresh off a big win at Iowa on Thursday with a dominant post player (Hooper) and a terrific guard (Lindsey Moore). Illinois has shown a tendency to hang against the better teams, but hasn't defeated a ranked opponent since the 2007-08 season, a streak that's likely to continue. (N-G prediction record: 18-3)
Blimpy, Coach Law needs to be playing the young players to get them experience for next year under a new coach. Team is going to finish dead last place this year and not even a WNIT invitation so doesn't matter if the seniors play, they will be gone next year as will Jolette Law (Law will be fired and replaced with a real coach).
Pack the place? You are kidding right. this from a team that averages 600 people in attendance to watch their games. I think itts stupid for them to play in the assembly hall. they should play at huff.
Mike Thomas is going to have to fire both the mens and womens head basketball coachs.
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