Illinois vs. McKendree
7 pm
TV: Big Ten Network
A lot of questions linger over this Illini team after the first two games, but barring some truly inspired play from McKendree (and the exact opposite from Illinois), those questions won’t be answered this evening. Despite having the winningest coach at any level of basketball, McKendree is still a D-II team and should pose little threat to the Illini.
Harry Statham has racked up 1,103 wins over 50-plus years at the helm of the Bearcats, which, damn. Respect to Statham. Seeing as Malcolm Hill is averaging 30.5 points per game against D-I schools this season, however, 1,104 might not be happening this evening.
For more on the Bearcats, here’s David Wilhelm of the Belleville News-Democrat:
Until David Franklin comes back in late December, the team’s best players are Nate Michael, Nolan Gerling, and Michael Jackson. New player Justin Blanks had 27 points Saturday against Robert Morris. Michael [a St. Joseph-Ogden product] is the son of former Illinois basketball player Tom Michael, who was a candidate for the athletic director’s job until Josh Whitman got it.
This game, unlike the Northern Kentucky game, will get television coverage for Illinois (but Friday’s game against Detroit will not, for whatever reason). Hopefully the Illini will show a tougher defense for the cameras.
My prediction: First blowout of the year for Illinois, with Malcolm Hill getting to play a supporting role for the first time this season.