December 4, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos forward Darius Paul (24) shoots the ball over Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan won 73-41. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: The Illini received a huge improvement in the form of Darius Paul. Yes, I know, D Paul is the MAC Freshman of the year, but Paul will bring rebounding to the Fighting Illini next season. Paul averaged around 5.7 rebounds per game and that is more than anyone on Illinois last season.

The leading rebounder for the Illini was Nnanna Egwu with 4.9 RPG. Now, with Egwu and Paul, the Illini will have a stronger rebounding force in the paint next season.

Austin: I like the addition of Darius, especially given that he is the MAC freshman of the year, and he gets over ten points a game. He will be a good addition to the team, especially if Henry (which is purely rumor at this point) transfers. I like the move for him, as he wants to be like his brother.

Having someone like that, he will want to try and be better than BP3, so that will push him to work harder. I could see Darius Paul being a solid starter in the Big Ten, and I can see him averaging 15 a game in his first season in the Orange and Blue.

Ryan: First of all, to compare him to Brandon would be a folly. Sure, they share genetics, and the same last name, but that’s where the comparisons will most likely end. The younger Paul is a solid pickup for Illinois because he’s already proven he can produce at the Division 1 level, averaging 10.4 ppg and 5.7 rpg while earning MAC Freshman of the year honors for Western Michigan. Another reason this is a good pickup for Illinois is simple: his size. Darius is 6’8″, 220 pounds, and will fill a need for the Illini going forward.

Skilled big men are a premium commodity, and Groce has done a good job in securing this depth giving commitment. The final, and most important, reason this is a great pickup is that Groce, and Illinois, beat out fellow tournament programs Florida, Marquette, Miami (Fla.), Iowa State, and Missouri for his services. In order to take the next step as program, and to truly be viewed as elite, Illinois needs to win recruiting battles against these types of schools on a consistent basis.

What do you think, Illini nation? Where do you see Darius Paul fitting in the Illini next season?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

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The Fighting Illini pulled off the biggest upset in their last game against #1 Indiana. They won over the Hoosiers, 74-72, after Tyler Griffey was able to break free from his defender and put in the game-winning hoop.

This game will be the second meeting between Illinois and Minnesota. In their first meeting, the Golden Gophers defeated the Illini, 84-67. D.J. Richardson and Tracy Abrams both finished with 14 points each for Illinois. Minnesota’s Joe Coleman led the team with a career-high 29 points.

The Golden Gophers come into Sunday’s game with an overall record of 17-6 and a Big Ten record of 5-5. They started their Big Ten conference schedule with three straight wins, but have struggled since. They have only won two of their last seven games. They lost to #12 Michigan State, 61-50, in their last game.

Feb. 6, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe (32) looks to pass the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during 2nd half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. MSU won 61-50. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota did not receive a single bench point in their last meeting against Illinois. They had five players record a point and three of them scored double-figures.

The players that reached double-figures were sophomore Joe Coleman (29 points), sophomore Andre Hollins (22 points), and senior Trevor Mbakwe (19 points).

Even though Coleman scored a career-high 29 points, the star of the game was Andre Hollins.

In 31 minutes, he scored 22 points, hauled in eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. The eight rebounds that Hollins recorded against Illinois remains to be his season-high.

A big problem the Illini had in that last meeting was foul trouble. They had two players record four fouls and one player foul out.

The Illini player to foul out of the game was Tracy Abrams. He only played 24 minutes and recorded 14 points and four rebounds. Joseph Bertrand and Nnanna Egwu were the two Illinois players with four fouls each. Although, Egwu still helped out Illinois with nine rebounds and three blocks.

This will be 181st meeting between the Fighting Illini and the Golden Gophers. Illinois leads the overall series, 116-64.

The biggest key for the Illini will be limiting the production of the Minnesota starters.

If Minnesota is going to beat you, it will be with their starters. It was not a fluke that all of Minnesota’s points last time came from their starters. In their last game, they lost to Michigan State because the starters were limited. Minnesota’s leading scorer was Hollins with 11 points and their bench only scored four points.

It is clear that the offense for Minnesota runs through the starters excusively. If Illinois can limit the starters, their chances of winning will increase tenfold.

A key match-up to watch in Sunday’s game will be Ewgu v.s Mbakwe. Trevor Mbakwe is a very physical player and this could either help or hurt the Illini.

Yes, Mbakwe will get his rebounds, but will he get his points? In the last meeting with Illinois, he played 35 minutes and scored 19 points. In the loss to the Spartans, he got into foul trouble. Because of this, he only played 27 minutes and scored nine points.

The Fighting Illini will need to use Mbakwe’s physicality against him in this game and it all starts with Egwu. Egwu will need to be smart and not get into foul trouble himself. He has fouled out the last three games.

It will also be interesting to see if Illinois plays with more confidence after their victory over #1 Indiana.

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