Scouting: Illinois @ Texas

Posted November 16, 2010 10:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Illinois (3-0) vs. Texas (2-0)

When: 8:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden

TV:ESPN2; Radio: WIND 560-AM

Skinny: Now comes the good stuff. After looking special during its three-game home sweep of UC Irvine, Toledo and SIU, the Illini find out whether they're real during a 17-day stretch where they play four name-brand schools. The Longhorns are ranked 22nd in the coaches poll. Sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton (22.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is one of the most gifted players in America, but he loves to shoot early and often. Look for Brandon Paul, who'll give up 3 inches and 20 pounds but no athleticism, to spend a lot of time shadowing Hamilton. Another key battle in this 2K Sports Classic semifinal will be at power forward, where Mike Davis (12.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg) clashes with 6-6, 238-pound Gary Johnson (16 ppg, 8 rpg).

Advancement: The winner faces the Pittsburgh/Maryland winner at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The losers meet at 4 p.m.

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