Scouting: Illinois @ Indiana

Posted January 25, 2011 11:00 pm

Lindsey Willhite

Illinois (14-6, 4-3) at Indiana (10-10, 1-6)

When: 8 p.m. at IU’s Assembly Hall

TV: BTN

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: The 20th-ranked Illini have been perfect against the Hoosiers during the Tom Crean era (4-0), but that doesn’t mean those wins have been dominant. Illinois won last year’s games by a combined 8 points, but Indiana’s defense has regressed since that time. The Hoosiers are surrendering 76.4 points in league play and letting opponents shoot 49 percent from the field. Just as important, Champaign native Verdell Jones III (who led IU in scoring in both meetings last year) is out with knee inflammation. Throw in Maurice Creek’s season-ending knee injury and suddenly the Hoosiers are light on guards. IU also doesn’t have a scoring threat in the post, which is good news for the Illini after the way they didn’t handle Jared Sullinger on Saturday. Look for freshman Jereme Richmond to jump back into the starting lineup Thursday night … or at least play 30 minutes.

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