It's definitely good to start the conference season with a win while snapping a teams nine game winning streak.  While some good things happened, like Tisdale and Davis dominating down low, the game also had it's share of bad.  Just like Missouri, Northwestern had a lot of open three pointers.  Fortunately the law of averages kicked in and they fell back to the mid thirties in three point percentage.  Give the Illini credit though.  The could have hung their head everything a three was made by the wildcats to kill the small amount of momentum they got.  Instead they went down and answered and had a nice offensive game.  Another sad note from last nights game; Illinois' football team turns the ball over more often than the wildcats did.  The defense does need work, and Weber knows that. 

Time to update the prediction standings.  This games back a couple of games because of my laziness....and vacation.  Missouri beat Illinois 81-68, so Mizzou is +13 on the real score difference, and Illinois beat Northwestern 89-83, making it +6 for Illinois on the real score difference.

Name                                                     W                    L                    RSDT*

Tom Young (ILL 85-82 over MIZZ)          2                     2                      49

                   (ILL 89-83 over NW)

dave1956 (MIZZ 69-64 over ILL)            2                     2                      55

                 (NW 71-64 over ILL)

Reillini (ILL 78-65 over MIZZ)                  2                     2                      59

            (ILL 68-63 over NW)

jweeks (ILL 78-72 over MIZZ)                  2                     2                      62

            (ILL 80-68 over NW)

Jshaw (MIZZ 72-68 over ILL)                   2                     2                      63

           (NW 68-62 over ILL)

Peter E (NW +10 over ILL)                       0                     1                      16

* - Real Score Difference Total

MY PREDICTION

GONZAGA 82       ILLINOIS 72

I'm kind of thinking the same way dave1956 thought when predicting the Illinois-Northwestern game.  Prove to me you can win, or I'm not going to pick you.  It's hard for me to side with Illinois when they are 0-4 in neutral court games and their fifth one is against a solid Bulldog team.  This team shots rather well from the field, but not so good at the line.  Maybe Illinois has an advantage there, especially if they shoot them like they did last night.  Tisdale and Davis will be tested going against guys who can match them in size.  Gonzaga even has a 7'5" guy!  He doesn't play much, but it will be one of the few times where TIsdale is looking up at someone if they're both on the court together. 

In the end, Illinois' defensive issues will deny them a solid win.  If there has ever been a must win game this season, this is it.  You got to prove to yourself, and to the nation, that you can win away from Assembly Hall.  Unfortunately, it doesn't happen on Saturday.

Time for you guys to chime in.  Agree with me?  Disagree?  Predict Saturday's outcome and tell us why you think that way.  Have a happy New Year and party safe. 

I-L-L...