LIVE! Illinois 64, Iowa 62; 7:32 to play

Remember to comply with alongside all afternoon because the Illini and Hawkeyes sq. off in Iowa Metropolis:

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A key to the sport for Illinois this afternoon at Iowa? Maintain the Hawkeyes from getting up and down the ground in transition. Gradual them down in that, sluggish them down on the scoreboard. (In principle).

“Whenever you play Iowa, I believe the one factor in all of our video games there’s been super spurts,” Illini coach Brad Underwood mentioned. “Particularly at dwelling, they will rattle off two, three or 4 threes actual fast in the event you’re sloppy with the ball they usually get getting in transition. They’re very, superb in transition offense. They’ve type of obtained the rule that in the event you’re above the free throw line they don’t crash. They simply leak out and go. Connor (McCaffery) will get the ball out of the web as quick as anyone, so that they push make or miss. You’ve obtained to be cognizant of what you’re doing in transition protection.”

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Kris Murray has stuffed the Keegan Murray-sized gap within the Iowa rotation fairly nicely. For one, they’re similar twins. That helps. However Kris has stepped right into a major function for the Hawkeyes together with his brother taking part in for the Sacramento Kings and has delivered. He is averaging 20.6 factors, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks with a 50/35/75 capturing slash.

“It is going to be a troublesome problem,” Ty Rodgers mentioned. Whereas Coleman Hawkins will seemingly draw the first project, the freshman wing might see time on Murray as nicely.

“He’s a terrific participant and has so many issues in his arsenal he can do,” Rodgers continued. “It’s going to be a problem we’re wanting ahead to.”

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Illinois heads into immediately’s recreation at Iowa because the winners of three straight. The newest? A double-digit dwelling win towards Nebraska.

“Nice final 12 minutes the opposite night time,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood mentioned concerning the win towards the Cornhuskers. “I believed we did a extremely, actually stable job defensively, and that’s been our calling card. Clearly, we didn’t shoot the ball very nicely, however to go 5 for 29 and discover a strategy to win by 16 on this league means you’re doing another issues very nicely. It’s type of the February mentality — on to the subsequent — and one other one is upon us.”

Underwood continued his opening assertion at Friday’s media availability discussing the Hawkeyes.

“Offensively, they’re the identical Iowa crew they at all times are,” he mentioned. “They’re very gifted. They’ve super spurt-ability. They carry (Pryce) Sandfort off the bench, who’s extraordinarily productive in his minutes performed. They do what they do on the defensive facet. They guard you. They’re taking part in a bit extra man this 12 months than regular. They play some zone. They press. It’s a really typical crew with superb offensive gamers.

“I believe Connor McCaffery is having an distinctive 12 months. I believe he is among the elite passers in school basketball. Clearly, Kris (Murray) is an NBA expertise. This can be a very gifted Iowa crew, and we’ll must be very, superb on the defensive facet to maintain them in examine.”

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Let’s get this out of the best way proper right here and now. The Orange Krush will not pull off a shock reveal this afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Area. It is easy. The Krush obtained obtained. (And no less than despatched out a tweet concerning the poor judgment executed in initially securing tickets for the sport).

That addressed, how about some precise basketball? As a result of Illinois-Iowa has delivered some spectacular video games in the previous few years because it has grown into arguably the very best rivalry the Illini have within the Massive Ten. 

The videoboard within the foyer of Ubben Basketball Complicated is lastly full. Highlights from final season’s common season finale win towards Iowa had been taking part in throughout our media availability with Brad Underwood. After we wrapped, we hung round within the foyer to catch the ultimate play of the sport. The sigh of aid from Brad Underwood when Kris Murray’s three-pointer rimmed out was audible.

It wasn’t clear if Underwood had seen the shot from the angle offered within the spotlight video. Another rotation across the rim, and it might need dropped as an alternative of coming out and winding up in Trent Frazier’s palms to expire the clock for a share of the Massive Ten title.

Hopefully the same story emerges from Iowa Metropolis this afternoon to drown out Krush-gate. The mix of Illinois’ January resurgence paired with Iowa boasting one other future first spherical choose in Kris Murray might (ought to?) be sufficient to ship one other enjoyable recreation on this burgeoning rivalry.

Scott Richey is a reporter overlaying school basketball at The Information-Gazette. His e-mail is srichey@news-gazette.com, and you may comply with him on Twitter (@srrichey).