College basketball scouting reports

Northwestern (3-1) vs. Notre Dame (5-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. at UIC Pavilion

TV: BTN; Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: The Wildcats and 23rd-ranked Fighting Irish face off for the first time since Nov. 29, 1984. This Chicago Invitational Challenge semifinal figures to revolve around Northwestern's ability to hold down All-American Luke Harangody, who ranks fourth nationally in scoring (27.2 ppg) with 10.4 rebounds per game. NU coach Bill Carmody lamented after Tuesday's win over Liberty that he was the first to offer Harangody a scholarship (after his freshman year), while NU assistant Tavaras Hardy portrayed the 6-foot-8, 246-pound Harangody during Wednesday's practice. The winner of this one plays the winner of Iowa State/Saint Louis for the title at 7 p.m. Saturday. The losers meet at 4:30 p.m.

Illinois (4-0) vs. Utah (2-2)

When: 9:30 p.m. at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas

Internet: www.HoopTV.net

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: In this Las Vegas Invitational semifinal, the 20th-ranked Illini finally hit the road and finally encounter a name-brand opponent. Freshman Brandon Paul (14.0 ppg) leads four Illini in double figures while junior Mike Davis (13.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg) ranks 10th nationally in rebounding. Utah suffered a 77-74 home loss to Seattle on Tuesday, but coach Jim Boylen has a good team. Sophomore guard Carlon Brown (16.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg) leads in scoring while 7-foot redshirt freshman Jason Washburn (10.5 ppg) is the smaller Utes center. Seven-foot-3, 255-pound David Foster starts in the middle. If Illinois wins, it'll face either Oklahoma State (4-0) or Bradley (3-1) for the title at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.