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Illinois Basketball: Previewing Illini games No. 6-10

By Eric Bruce

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 7: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 7: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Game #3: Northwestern

After the Wake Forest contest, the Illini travel to Rosemont to take on in-state rivals, the Northwestern Wildcats, in what is sure to be an incredibly electric atmosphere.  Rosemont is essentially neutral territory, although it is home for Northwestern for the next couple of years as Welsh-Ryan Arena undergoes renovations.

I think everyone knows that expectations are high for the Wildcats this year after they finally made it to the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in school history.  Slated to finish second in the Big Ten, and starting the year ranked in the Top 25, has only fed the hype around this team.  But is it justified?  Northwestern is off to a 3-2 start and fell out of the Top 25 this week after a beatdown at the hands of unranked Texas Tech (although Kenpom currently has them ranked at No. 17).

It’s always fun to point out that the Illini owned Northwestern last year, winning both games.  This is the only match-up between the teams this year.  The fact that it is an early season game favors Northwestern.  The Wildcats return 85-percent of their scoring from last year’s NCAA Tournament team.  They are led by first team all-conference point guard, Bryan McIntosh and second-team all-conference small forward, Vic Law.

The always dangerous McIntosh is averaging over 16 PPG.  He is shooting 42-percent from the three-point arc as well.  Law is currently averaging almost 13 PPG and is grabbing 6.2 rebounds on average.  Then there is Scottie Lindsay (17.6 PPG); Derek Pardon (11.4 PPG and 5 RPG); and Gavin Skelly (7.6 PPG).

Northwestern boasts a dangerous starting five, to be certain.  However, they don’t go too deep.  If the Illini can get hot from outside and get Lindsay and Pardon in foul trouble early, they will greatly increase their chances of an upset.  Given that this game will be played on a neutral floor, coupled with the Illini’s superior coaching, I have to give this game to Illinois.

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