Scouting: Penn State @ Illinois

Posted January 30, 2011 11:00 pm

Penn State (12-8, 5-4) at Illinois (14-7, 4-4)

When: 8 p.m. at Assembly Hall

TV: BTN

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: For the first time this season, Illinois finds itelf outside of the Associated Press’ Top 25. The Illini ranked No. 16 when they played at Penn State on Jan. 11, but Drew Jones’ last-second putback dunk of Talor Battle’s missed layup triggered a 1-4 slide by Bruce Weber’s bunch. Weber said Monday that he and the coaches have discussed making big changes, but that’s not the risk-averse Weber’s style. Look for freshman forward Jereme Richmond, however, to jump into the starting lineup after averaging 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds the last three games. While Richmond’s presence should help the offense, particularly with his knack for putbacks, this game will be decided by Illinois’ defensive effort against Penn State senior guard Talor Battle (20.4 ppg, 3.3 apg). Battle is 5-3 versus Illinois in his career, including a 3-0 mark when the Illini have been nationally ranked. Perhaps now that Illinois has left the Top 25, it somehow affects the Illini in a positive psychological manner.

— Lindsey Willhite

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