Illinois faces size test against Valparaiso

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois will see something Wednesday that it hasn’t had to face yet in the young basketball season: a big opponent.

The Illini (2-0) take on Valparaiso at home Wednesday night. The Crusaders (2-0) have four players who are 6-9 or taller. That includes a 7-footer in 270-pound center Moussa Gueye.

Illinois coach John Groce said Tuesday that Valparaiso is easily the biggest team the Illini have played so far.

Illinois only has two big men in 6-11 Nnanna Egwu and 6-10 Maverick Morgan.

Valparaiso’s size could present a challenge in the one area Groce said Illinois needed to work on after Sunday’s win over Jacksonville State. Illinois won 86-62 but was outrebounded 44-37.

But Groce said his guards were not involved enough in rebounding Sunday.