Purdue invades the Hall

Games won't get a whole lot bigger than this for the Illini this Big Ten season. The students are back, and we all know how excited they can get for a game on ESPN against a ranked conference foe... The Illini are 10-0 at home this season and 4-1 in the Big Ten. Purdue on the other hand will enter the Hall on a 3 game losing streak, their only three loses of the season. I won't call this a MUST win, because for a team at 4-1, there aren't many MUST wins. But I will say that if we lose, we better leave it all on the floor.
The Big Ten Network is a cool idea, especially for the football team who maybe isn't the biggest draw in the country, but the average basketball team will tell you that we have been given the short end of the stick when it comes to national broadcasts. This game might be the only Illini game someone will see all season in California for instance... we need to capitalize on the chance to show off our team.

Hot Shots

- This will already be the sixth ranked team the Illini have faced this season.

- Freshman Tyler Griffey is coming off of a career high 12 points against Michigan State.

- Demetri McCamey is currently first in the Big Ten with 6.8 assists per game.

- McCamey is 56 points away from 1,000 for his career.

- Mike Tisdale is in the Big Ten top 5 for shooting percentage, free throw percentage, and blocked shots.

- Four of six loses on the season have been by 5 points or less.

- Bruce Weber spent 18 years as an assistant coach for Purdue.

- Illinois has lost more than 2 games at home only once in the last 11 years during Big Ten play.

What We Need To See

1. Don't let Hummel or Moore go off. I'm worried about the match-up with these guys. The Illini are not good at containing the dribble, and after a few easy drives through the lane, the defense starts to collapse into the middle... When this happens, look for the drive and dish out to the perimeter. Robbie Hummel and E'Twaun Moore are putting up big numbers as it is (second and first in the conference respectively in Big Ten games), and these two always play hard against the Illini after what some fans will say was a less than fervent recruiting attempt by Bruce Weber while Eric Gordon was still committed.

2. Be careful with the ball. Purdue is second in the Big Ten in turnover margin. The guards put a lot of pressure on the ball handlers, and JaJuan Johnson has an arm span that is hard to be ignored in the middle. This version of the Illini isn't the best with ball control, and I guess that should be expected when 3 of your top 4 guards are freshman or walk-ons. It is essential that we get the version of Demetri McCamey that looks to create for his teammates tonight.

3. Get the ball rolling early.
Purdue is lacking confidence to say the least. After three straight loses to OSU, Wisconsin, and Northwestern, one of the favorites in the conference is struggling to find their footing. The Gonzaga game and the Missouri game are examples of coming out flat. The Vanderbilt game is an example of coming out on fire... Somewhere closer to the later would be preferable (Duh...) but maybe even more so tonight to put the Boilermakers on edge early and to welcome back the Orange Krush in style.

4. Outwork the Boilers. Both of these teams have faced questions this season about 100% effort. We have all heard the talk about Mike Davis and whether of not he is always all there. Well tonight it will be very apparent whether or not he is all in. Hummel and Johnson both create offense, and if you slack off, they both have the talent to make you pay. You would assume that a conference game against a top team would generate some great energy... now let's see it.

What Does it all Mean?

It's a tricky game to call here. Both teams have the potential to go off and shoot the lights out, but both teams also have the nasty habit of either giving it all or harshly falling short of the 100% performance mark. The Illini could find a Purdue team that is ready to fall apart, the Illini could face a Purdue team that plays like they have something to prove, or maybe it will just be an even game regardless. I expect the energy level to be high and the players to really get after it out there. Hummel is going to get his points and Moore probably will too, but I think the combination of the Orange Krush and the national television appearance will push the Illini a little bit harder than the more talented Boilers. Illinois 68 Purdue 66