Illinois Vs. Utah

(20) ILLINOIS VS. UTAH 9:30 p.m., Orleans Arena, Las Vegas WIRL-AM (1290) ILLINI KEY Get some rebounding help from the guards. That might also trigger more fastbreak opportunities.

ILLINOIS (4-0) F Mike Davis C Mike Tisdale G D.J. Richardson G Brandon Paul G Demetri McCamey

PPG RPG Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr.

6-9 7-1 6-3 6-4 6-3

UTAH (2-2) F Kim Tillie C David Foster G Michael Henderson G Carlon Brown G Luka Drca

13.0 11.8 8.8 4.8 12.3 2.0 14.0 2.8 11.8 3.3

UTES KEY Challenge the Illini inside with Utah’s size.

PPG RPG Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr.

6-11 7-3 6-2 6-5 6-5

9.3 5.8 11.3 16.5 8.5

6.5 4.8 2.0 5.3 2.8

NOTEWORTHY: The series is tied 1-1. Illinois defeated Utah 99-65 on Nov. 25, 1983 in Rosemont in the last meeting. ... This is Illinois’ third of four games in the Las Vegas Invitational. Illinois plays either Oklahoma State or Bradley on Saturday. ... Utah lost 77-74 to visiting Seattle on Tuesday. The Utes also lost the season opener 94-87 to Idaho. ... Utah was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference, according to the preseason poll conducted by the league. Drca, Tillie and Brown return as starters from last year’s team that finished 24-10, won a share of the Mountain West title and earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Utah coach Jim Boylen is a former assistant coach at Michigan State and in the NBA. ... Live video streaming of the Las Vegas Invitational is available online at Hooptv.net for $7 per day or $10 for the two days. PREDICTION: Illinois 81, Utah 66