Rutgers (6-16, 0-9)
All time: 2-0 (last: Illinois 66, Rutgers 54 in Champaign, 2/3/15)
Tip-off: 5:30 pm
TV: Big Ten Network
Well, “contusions,” in other words bruises, suffered during the Wisconsin loss have rendered Michael Finke “very unlikely” to play and Kendrick Nunn a game-time decision. Meanwhile, Mike Thorne Jr. is unable to return and Leron Black is still out indefinitely.
This is fine. Cameron Liss (5 minutes in 2 games, 1 assist and 1 foul) is ready to be a rotation option with Maverick Morgan at center. Oh, and Malcolm Hill, who was just named one of the 10 best shooting guards in the country, may also play in the post!
But this is Rutgers. Rutger sucks. So maybe this doesn’t matter at all? Either way, here’s an actual, real-life Big Ten ad to get you hyped for the game.
It’s lit, y’all.
Projected lineups
Illinois: Jaylon Tate, guard; Jalen Coleman-Lands, guard; Kendrick Nunn, guard; Malcolm Hill, guard; Maverick Morgan, center
Rutgers: Bishop Daniels, guard; Corey Sanders, guard; Mike Williams, guard; D. J. Foreman, forward; Greg Lewis, center
Gut feeling
If there was ever a combination for Illinois to lose to Rutgers, missing or questioning this many players is definitely it. Looking at the Scarlet Knights roster, though, I’m not sure. Those guys are all anonymous. They may as well be Chicago State…wait, uh, Illinois only barely beat Chicago State. Shit, this game is gonna be ugly.