Scouting: Oakland @ Illinois

Posted December 06, 2010 10:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Oakland (5-3) at Illinois (8-1)

When:7 p.m. at Assembly Hall

Net: BigTenNetwork.com;

Radio: WIND 560-AM

Skinny: Don't be fooled by the lack of TV exposure for this one; Oakland isn't a guarantee-game type of opponent. The Golden Grizzlies made the NCAA Tournament last year and retain their best player in 6-foot-11, 230-pound Keith Benson. Named as the 2010 Lou Henson national Mid-Major player of the year, Benson averages 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. Thornwood HS graduate Reggie Hamilton chips in 15.9 ppg and shoots 44 percent on 3-pointers. The Illini climbed to No. 16 in the AP poll after bouncing North Carolina and Gonzaga. The trick today is to maintain the same focus. If they continue to dominate from beyond the 3-point arc, then so much the better. Illinois ranks 21st nationally in 3-point shooting (41.4 percent) and 20th nationally in 3-point defense (26.8 percent).

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