The “B1G Quarters” Game Thread: No. 2 Illinois vs. No. 7 Rutgers

2021 Big Ten Tournament

No. 2 Illinois (20-6; 16-4) vs. No. 7 Rutgers (15-10; 10-10)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

Tip-off: Friday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: BTN - Kevin Kugler and Stephen Bardo

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM, Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers is 31, which is two spots better since an 11 point win over Indiana on Thursday. Illinois is 5, which is the same spot they were in after a 5 point win over Ohio State last Saturday.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 109.4 (69th) Defense 89.6 (14th); Illinois - Offense 119.0 (8th) Defense 88.5 (7th)

KenPom Prediction: Illinois 74 Rutgers 66. Rutgers is given a 25% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Illinois -7.5

Series History: Illinois leads the all-time series 8-3 but Rutgers has won the last two meetings. This includes a 91-88 victory on December 14 earlier this season.

Illinois SB Nation Site: The Champaign Room

Key Contributors

Illinois - 6’5” junior Ayo Dosunmu (20.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists 1.1 steals, 40.0% 3-pt FG); 7’0” sophomore Kofi Cockburn (17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 66.0% FG); 6’2” senior Trent Frazier (10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 48.3% 3-pt FG); 6’1” freshman Andre Curbelo (8.8 points, 4.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 49.7% FG); 6’3” freshman Adam Miller (8.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 33.6% 3-pt FG); 6’3 senior DaMonte Williams (5.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 54.5% 3-pt FG); 6’9” junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili (5.3 points, 2.6 assists, 57.1% FG); 6’6’ redshirt junior Jacob Grandison (4.5 points, 3.5 assists, 1.4 assists, 50.0% FG)

Rutgers - 6’6” junior Ron Harper Jr. (15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 32.3% 3-pt FG); 6’2” senior Jacob Young (14.4 points, 3.6 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 36.0% 3-pt FG); 6’4” Geo Baker (10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 31.1% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Montez Mathis (8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 29.4 % 3-pt FG); 6’10” redshirt junior Myles Johnson (8.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 steal, 63.0% FG); 6’6” sophomore Paul Mulcahy (5.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 37.3% 3-pt FG); 6’7” junior Caleb McConnell (5.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.6 assists); 6’11” Cliff Omoruyi (3.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 67.7% FG)

Game Preview

Rutgers got the win they needed to gain some positive momentum in postseason play last night against Indiana. Tonight is a much tougher task as Illinois is as hot as any team in the country right now. That being said RU matches up well, beat them in December and the rematch could end up being a very close game. With everything to prove and confidence that they can be play with the Illini, let’s hope it’s a memorable night. Join us during the action.