Scouting report

Posted February 11, 2011 11:00 pm

Purdue (19-5, 8-3) at Illinois (16-8, 6-5)

When: 12:05 p.m. at Assembly Hall

TV: Channel 2

Net: CBSsports.com

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: After Illinois’ 71-62 victory Thursday night at Minnesota, Illini Radio Network analyst Jerry Hester told Bruce Weber it was the first time all year the Illini played hard from start to finish — and Weber didn’t disagree. Considering 14th-ranked Purdue plays full-tilt all the time (with the possible exception of the 23-point blowout Jan. 25 at Ohio State), Illinois needs to play at a feverish pace again during today’s national broadcast. Weber has several ways he can go with today’s lineup, but his best group might be one he’s hesitant to try. Purdue plays small around JaJuan Johnson (20.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), so he could restore Demetri McCamey as a starter and play him together with Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson. Weber prefers for the three to rotate at the two guard slots. That would require Mike Davis to guard Johnson, but that might be the best way to go. Paul and Richardson can take turns dealing with Illini killer E’Twaun Moore (17.8 ppg).

— Lindsey Willhite

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