Weber hopes bad Minnesota loss motivates Illini

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois coach Bruce Weber hopes his team's embarrassing 59-36 January loss to Minnesota serves as motivation when the Gophers come to Champaign on Thursday night.

Weber told reporters Tuesday that the 20th-ranked Illini are a group of relatively laid-back, quiet players. That leaves the shouting and motivational talk to the coaches.

Illinois is 22-6 and 10-5 in the Big Ten, good for third place and almost certainly an NCAA Tournament bid.

But losses like the one to Minnesota and last week's 39-33 Penn State debacle highlight the gap between Illinois and elite teams.

Weber also complained about Thursday's 6 p.m. start. He says the early tip-off breaks the team's routine, preventing it from having a shootaround or pregame meal.