PREVIEW
OPENING TIP: Illinois (3-12, 1-11 B1G) returns to the East Coast for the second time in as many games, to face off against Rutgers (8-3, 4-3 B1G) on Saturday at The RAC. Tipoff between the Illini and the Scarlet Knights is set for 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington (play-by-play) and Christy Winters-Scott (analyst). Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats are also available at FightingIllini.com.
ABOUT RUTGERS: Rutgers enters Saturday's game with a 9-3 record, including a 5-3 mark in conference play, and are receiving votes in both the AP and WBCA Coaches top-25 polls. The Scarlet Knights, following eight consecutive postponed games, have four straight vs. Nebraska (78-62), at No. 21/22 Northwestern (70-54), at Purdue (75-57) and at Minnesota (83-56). The Rutgers roster boasts four players averaging double-figures scoring, led by preseason all-conference selection redshirt-senior G Arella Guirantes (22.0 ppg) and freshman G Diamond Johnson (18.6). Senior F/G Tekia Mack leads the team in rebounding at 5.9 boards per game, while averaging 12.3 points. As a team, the Scarlet Knights lead the nation in scoring defense an scoring margin, allowing opponents just 56.8 points per game, to outscore teams by nearly 23 per game.
SERIES VS. RUTGERS: Saturday's matchup is the ninth in the series between the Illini and the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers leads the all-time series, 7-1, with all eight matchups coming since they joined Big Ten prior to the 2014-15 season. The Illini are looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the series. Illinois is also in search of its first win at The RAC (0-4). Illinois' last win in the series came Jan. 7, 2017, a 78-41 win at State Farm Center.
LAST TIME VS. RUTGERS: Senior Courtney Joens led the Illini with 15 points in a reserve role, while then-freshman Jeanae Terry tallied a team-leading eight rebounds to go along with four points, four assists and two steals, in a 72-41 loss at The RAC on Jan. 31, 2020. Kennedi Myles was held scoreless, but chipped in with six rebounds and two steals. Jada Peebles and J-Naya Ephraim each added three points. Peebles also recorded two assists. Rutgers was led by Arella Guirantes who filled up the stat sheet with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
UP NEXT: The Fighting Illini host their penultimate home game, welcoming intrastate rival No. 22/24 Northwestern into State Farm Center on Thursday, Feb. 25. Tip time and television/streaming details between are still TBD for the contest between Illini and the Wildcats (11-5, 9-5 B1G) - who host Wisconsin on Saturday. Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats are also available at FightingIllini.com.
FULL GAME NOTES (PDF)
