Feb. 14, 2015
* Stats from 2013-14 season
Head Coach John Groce
Career Record: 145-92/.612 (7th year)
At Illinois: 60-36/.625 (3rd year)
Big Ten: 22-26/.458
Series Notes vs. Wisconsin
Series Record: Illinois leads 110-81
Series Streak: Wisconsin W-7
Record at Madison: Wisconsin leads 54-39
Series Streak at Madison: Wisconsin W-4
Groce vs. Wisconsin: 0-4
Last Year's Meetings:  
#4 Wisconsin 95, #23 Illinois 70 (Jan. 8, 2014 at Madison)
Wisconsin 75, Illinois 63 (Feb. 4, 2014 at Madison)
Opening Tips
• Sunday's game features a match-up of the two hottest teams in the Big Ten. Wisconsin has won seven consecutive games while Illinois has won four straight.
• With its current 7-5 Big Ten record, Illinois has already equaled last year's win total in conference play.
• Illinois' four-game winning streak is its longest in Big Ten play since recording five straight victories during Coach John Groce's first season from Feb. 7-21, 2013.
• Illinois is multiple games above .500 in Big Ten play in February for the first time since 2010.
• In six of its seven Big Ten wins this year, and each of the last five, Illinois has allowed 58 points or less.
• Illinois has won three times in its last nine trips to Madison (2005, 2006, 2010) and is tied with Purdue for the most victories by an opponent at Kohl Center during UW Coach Bo Ryan's tenure.
• In two games against Wisconsin last year, Rayvonte Rice averaged 21.5 points and 9.0 rebounds.
Getting Defensive
Illinois started Big Ten play with a 3-5 record, allowing 67.9 points per game with opponents shooting nearly 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point range. The Illini defense has made major strides since, propelling the team to a current four-game win streak. Illinois has held each of its last four opponents to less than 60 points, permitting an average of 54.5 points on 39.7 percent shooting and 26.8 percent behind the arc:
Opponent Pts FG-A 3FG-A
Penn State 58 19-45 4-16
Rutgers 54 21-50 4-18
Michigan State 54 20-52 7-20
Michigan 52 21-57 4-17
Total 218 81-204 19-71
Avg./Pct. 54.5 .397 .268
Taking on Another Ranked Opponent
Illinois faces its fifth Top 25 opponent of the season in No. 5 Wisconsin. The Illini are 1-3 versus ranked teams this year with the victory coming in their most recent contest against a ranked foe, a 64-57 home victory over No. 11 Maryland on Jan. 7.
The Illini are 2-8 all-time on the road against ranked Wisconsin squads, last claiming victory in Madison on Feb. 9, 2010 with a 63-56 win over the No. 11 Badgers.
It has been 26 years since Illinois last defeated a Top-5 team on the road, a 70-67 win by Coach Lou Henson's Flyin' Illini at No. 3 Indiana on March 5, 1989, thanks to a Nick Anderson 35 footer at the buzzer.
Super Sophs
Sophomores Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn have been carrying the scoring load for the Illini in conference play, teaming up to average 31.3 points with Hill at 16.4 ppg (ranked fifth in Big Ten) and Nunn at 14.9 ppg (ninth in Big Ten). When looking at sophomores from throughout the six major conferences, the Illini duo currently owns the highest combined scoring average during league play:
1. 31.3 ppg Illinois Malcolm Hill (16.4 ppg) & Kendrick Nunn (14.9 ppg)
2. 30.3 ppg LSU Jordan Mickey (17.7 ppg) & Tim Quarterman (12.6 ppg)
3. 28.3 ppg Pittsburgh Jamel Artis (15.4 ppg) & Michael Young (12.9 ppg)
4. 27.1 ppg USC Katin Reinhardt (13.6 ppg) & Nikola Jovanovic (13.5 ppg)
Last Time Out: Illinois 64, Michigan 52, OT (Feb. 12)
In front of the largest State Farm Center crowd in Illini basketball history (17,087), the Orange and Blue saved its best for last, rallying in the final minutes of regulation and erupting in overtime to defeat Michigan and extend its winning streak to four.
Illinois struggled from the field for much of the night before getting hot late. Senior Ahmad Starks kept the Illini in the game in the first half, scoring nine of the team's 20 points. The Wolverines led by as many as eight in the second half and held a 50-43 advantage with three minutes left. That's when the Illini made their move, scoring the final seven points of regulation on a layup by Rayvonte Rice, a runner by Kendrick Nunn, and capped by a Nunn 3-pointer with 1:22 left that would send the game to overtime.
Illinois had all the energy in the extra session, scoring on their first seven possessions and grabbing three steals on their first four defensive possessions. That opened the floodgates as the run extended to a staggering 21 unanswered points. Illinois scored the first 14 points of overtime and nearly pitched a shutout, the Wolverines managing just two free throws with 13 seconds left. Michigan went the final eight minutes without a field goal.
Nunn led all scorers with 21 points, his second 20-point outing in the last three games. Starks finished with 12 points, four assists and a career-high four steals. Hill scored nine of his 11 points in the second half and added six rebounds. Nnanna Egwu, meanwhile, got stronger as the game wore on, scoring all six of his points in overtime while collecting a season-high 12 rebounds to go along with four blocks and three steals. And in his first game since Jan. 3, Rice finished with four points, five rebounds and three steals in 27 minutes.
The 12-point win marked Illinois' largest margin of victory ever in an overtime game. The Illini also improved to 3-1 in overtime games under Coach John Groce.
Hill Improving Rapidly
Malcolm Hill came on strong at the end of his freshman season, starting Illinois' last 12 games and averaging 6.5 points as a starter. On the heels of that success and bolstered by an offseason of hard work in the gym and the weight room, Hill is having a breakout sophomore campaign.
He currently ranks second on the Illini in scoring with an average of 14.6 points. He has scored in double figures in 22 of 25 games, led by a career-high 28 points in the win over No. 11 Maryland (Jan. 7) and 27 points in the win over Penn State (Jan. 31), capped by the game-winning layup with 4.5 seconds remaining.
Hill has increased his scoring average by 10.2 points this year, the largest improvement in the Big Ten. Of the five conference players who have raised their point production the most this season, the top three are sophomores:
Rk. Player School Yr. 14-15 Avg. 13-14 Avg. Increase
1. Malcolm Hill Illinois So. 14.6 ppg 4.4 ppg +10.2 ppg
2. Marc Loving Ohio State So. 11.7 ppg 4.4 ppg +7.3 ppg
3. Zak Irvin Michigan So. 13.4 ppg 6.7 ppg +6.7 ppg
4. Denzel Valentine Michigan State Jr. 14.4 ppg 8.0 ppg +6.4 ppg
5. Travis Trice Michigan State Sr. 13.5 ppg 7.3 ppg +6.2 ppg
Among sophomores from the six major conferences who are averaging at least 14 points this season, Hill's improvement ranks third:
Rk. Player School Yr. 14-15 Avg. 13-14 Avg. Increase
1. Josh Hawkinson Washington State So. 15.1 ppg 1.2 ppg +13.9 ppg
2. Terry Rozier Louisville So. 18.5 ppg 7.0 ppg +11.5 ppg
3. Malcolm Hill Illinois So. 14.6 ppg 4.4 ppg +10.2 ppg
Nunn Better
Like his teammate Malcolm Hill, Illini sophomore Kendrick Nunn is another of the Big Ten's most improved players. Nunn started the final 12 games of his rookie campaign, averaging 10.3 points as a starter, and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. After being slowed in the offseason by a knee procedure, Nunn is now fully healthy and helping lead the Illini attack this year.
He has increased his scoring average by 5.6 points, checking in at 11.8 points per game after netting 6.2 ppg as a freshman. He has scored in double figures in 15 games, led by a career-high 25 points in the win at Northwestern (Jan. 14).
Nunn ranks sixth in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal shooting at 42.6 percent, improving upon his 38.8 percent shooting from the land of a three as a freshman. Nunn leads the Illini with 46 threes (1.8 avg.), knocking down at least three treys in eight games this season and highlighted by a career-best six triples against Indiana (Jan. 18).
Nunn has been at his best in Big Ten play, currently ranking ninth in the league in scoring during conference-game only at 14.9 ppg. He has scored in double figures in nine straight games, with four 20-plus point performances in the last eight contests.
Rayvonte Returns
Illinois welcomed back leading scorer and rebounder Rayvonte Rice to the lineup against Michigan on Thursday night. After missing nine games, Rice played a total of 27 minutes in his return. And while he didn't reach his normal level of offensive production during his first game action in nearly six weeks, Rice made an impact on defense and on the glass, totaling five rebounds and three steals. His four points, meanwhile, helped him reach another milestone as he became the 13th active player nationally to record 1,800 career points.
Rice was having an All-Big Ten type season before being derailed by a broken hand and delayed return due to a violation of team rules. Consider the following:
• Rice has an offensive rating of 123.3 on the season, which ranks eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten behind Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky among players with at least 24 percent of possessions used (KenPom).
• Rice is effective in all areas. Prior to appearing in less than 75 percent of Illinois' games, he was the only Big Ten player ranked in the top 10 in scoring (sixth, 16.2 ppg), rebounding (fourth, 6.8 rpg) and steals (fifth, 1.9 spg).
• Rice has improved his shooting accuracy at every level this season. He is currently shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 47.5 percent from 3-point range, and 80.3 percent on free throws. Rice entered his senior year as a 42.4 percent career shooter, including 28 percent from behind the arc and 71.2 percent at the line.
• Rice has scored in double figures in 14 of 16 games this year, with six 20-point outings. He has registered double figures in 45 of 51 games during his two-year Illini career with 16, 20-point games.
• When combining his totals from Drake with Illinois, Rice ranks 13th nationally on the Div. I active scoring list with 1,800 career points. (ranked fifth on Jan. 5).
Top of the Class
Illinois has the highest-scoring sophomore class in the Big Ten, combining to average 34.8 points per game. Sophomores Malcolm Hill (14.6 ppg) and Kendrick Nunn (11.8 ppg) are both averaging double figures and rank second and third, respectively, on the team in scoring. Jaylon Tate (4.0 ppg) and Maverick Morgan (2.8 ppg) also are regular contributors, while Austin Colbert has seen his playing time increase recently (1.6 ppg). Here is look at the scoring production of the Big Ten's top-five sophomore classes this season:
1. ILLINOIS - 34.8 ppg
2. Wisconsin - 24.5 ppg
3. Michigan - 24.4 ppg
4. Indiana - 22.2 ppg
5. Purdue - 16.4 ppg
Youth Movement
Illinois' current rotation consists of six underclassmen: five sophomores and one freshman. Over the last 10 games the Illini have started just one senior, forward Nnanna Egwu, and Egwu has been the UI's only upperclassman starter during the last six games. Illinois and Michigan are the only two programs in the conference whose starting lineup features just one upperclassman. Here is a look at the number of junior/senior starters for each Big Ten team:
5 - Nebraska, Minnesota
4 - Iowa, Michigan State, Rutgers
3 - Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
2 - Indiana, Maryland
1 - Illinois, Michigan
Illini Items
• Illinois is 12-1 this season at State Farm Center - its best home record under Coach John Groce - and top mark since also starting 12-1 at home in 2011-12.
• The Illini are 5-1 in Big Ten play at State Farm Center, meanwhile, their best home conference start since 2010.
• Illinois has held its opponent to less than 70 points in 16 of 17 wins this season, and 41 of its last 43 victories dating back to Feb. 10, 2013 during Coach John Groce's first season.
• The Illini defense also has held the opposition to less than 60 points in 11 of its most recent 12 wins.
• Illinois has either led (five times), been tied (once), or trailed by one possession (once) during the second half in seven of its eight losses this year.
• Illinois is one of 27 teams nationally with at least two RPI top 25 wins (14-Maryland & 15-Baylor).
• The Illini rank second in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting 79.2 percent as a team (1st-Ole Miss, .794). The current UI single-season record for free throw shooting is 74.4 percent, set by the 1996-97 squad.
• Illinois has shot better than its season average at the free throw line in 14 games, including seven of the last 10.
• In conference-only games, Illinois' free throw shooting improves to 81.6 percent, ranked first in the Big Ten. The Illini have three players shooting better than 82 percent from the line during conference play.
• Illinois ranks sixth in the nation in turnover rate at 14.8 percent.
• Illinois ranks 11th nationally in fewest turnovers, averaging just 9.9 per game. The current Illini single-season record for fewest turnovers is 10.3 per game, set by last year's squad.
• The Illini have committed single-digit turnovers in 14 games this season, including the last two games (nine at Michigan State, seven vs. Michigan).
• Illinois is 17-2 when outscoring the opponent in points off turnovers. The Illini have held the advantage in that category in seven straight games.
• The Illini are a perfect 12-0 when outrebounding the opponent.
• Illinois is 12-1 when shooting better than the opposition, with the lone loss coming at Michigan (Dec. 30).
Player Trends
• Sophomores Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn have accounted for 52.6 percent of Illinois' scoring over the last 10 games. The duo has combined to average 33.6 points, with Hill averaging 17.0 points and Nunn netting 16.6 points. Illinois owns a 7-3 record during this stretch, including four straight wins and five of its last six.
• Hill has led the Illini in scoring in four of the last six games, averaging 18.0 points (108).
• Hill also has been the team's top scorer in six of the last 10 games, seven of 12 in Big Ten play, and 10 times on the season.
• Hill has scored in double figures in 10 straight games, 11 of 12 in Big Ten play, 13 of the last 14 and 22 of 25 on the season.
• Hill entered his sophomore year with a career high of 11 points. He has surpassed or equaled that total in 20 of 25 games this season.
• Nunn has been the Illini's leading scorer in five of the last eight games - with four outings of more than 20 points - and is averaging 18.4 points (147).
• Nunn has scored in double figures in 10 of the last 11 games, and 15 times on the season.
• Nunn is averaging 11.8 points on the year, but has increased his production to 14.9 points in Big Ten play.
• Nunn has combined for 14 assists over the last four games (3.5 apg).
• Senior Nnanna Egwu is averaging 9.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.0 steals over the last two games.
• Egwu ranks second in the Big Ten in blocked shots, averaging 1.8 bpg. He has tallied three or more blocks in eight games on the season.
• Egwu is the all-time shot blocking leader in Fighting Illini history. He broke the record on Jan. 21 against Purdue, turning away a Vince Edwards dunk attempt with 3:20 left in the first half. Egwu has now recorded 188 blocks during his Illini career. The previous UI record of 177 was set by Deon Thomas from the 1991 through 1994 seasons.
• Senior Ahmad Starks is averaging 9.9 points (69) while shooting 43.2 percent from 3-point range over the last seven games (16-37).
• Illinois is 7-3 since sophomore Jaylon Tate entered the starting lineup.
• In league play, Tate ranks third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.7) and seventh in assists (3.8 apg).
• Illinois is 5-1 since freshman Leron Black became a starter.
• Black is shooting 66.7 percent from the field over the last three games (8-12).
• After logging one minute through the first eight games of league play, sophomore Austin Colbert has averaged 8.5 minutes over the last four games, totaling six points and nine rebounds.
Complete Illinois-Wisconsin Game Notes (PDF)
