Posted February 08, 2011 11:00 pm

Illinois (15-8, 5-5) at Minnesota (16-7, 5-6)

When: 8 p.m. at Williams Arena

TV: ESPN

Net: ESPN3.com

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: After 4 consecutive road losses by a combined 16 points, Illinois needs to come through against a banged-up Minnesota squad in order to regain confidence and rebuild its NCAA resume. Senior power forward Mike Davis claimed Tuesday, among other things, that the Illini should have “three losses at the most” and “we have more talent than these teams that we're playing against. We've just got to play hard.” Bruce Weber's attempts to unlock that talent could include tapping some that has been stuck to the bench, including redshirt freshman guard Joseph Bertrand. He suggested this week that all jobs are open. Minnesota has dropped three games in a row as its guards continue to drop. Devoe Joseph transferred. Al Nolen is out with a broken foot. Blake Hoffarber tweaked his knee and wrist Sunday against Ohio State.

— Lindsey Willhite

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