I know the game is tomorrow, which is good and bad.  It’s good because I want to watch some more Illini basketball, and it’s bad because it doesn’t give you guys a lot of time to predict. Because of this, I’m gonna help you guys out a bit.

In the future, if I’m a bit slow in getting up an entry about the upcoming game, go ahead and post the prediction for your next game in my previous entry.  I will go ahead and check it before updating everything.  I want to give you guys as much time as possible to participate.

Okay, with that being said, here are the updated standings after the Illinois loss on Saturday.  Michigan State won 73-63, so MSU was +10 in the real score difference.

Name                                                  W                    L                      RSDT*

Tom Young (MSU 80-62)                  7                      2                         78

Reillini (MSU 72-60)                           7                      2                         81

jweeks (MSU 76-65)                           7                      2                         88

Jshaw (MSU 76-62)                            6                      2                         75

dave1956 (MSU 79-65)                       5                      3                         77

PeterE (MSU 75-60)                            1                      1                         21

* - Real Score Difference Total

My Prediction

Purdue 75       Illinois 68

Most of the games to this point have been unanimously picked in the favor of one team.  For some reason, I feel this game might lead to some division.  A week in a half ago, this game looked like a long shot, but of late, Purdue has crashed back down to earth.  Illinois has done some nice things at home this year, and have yet to lose on their own floor.  This perfect record will definitely be on the line Tuesday.

It’s nice to get some consistent play from Demetri McCamey, but the other players are as big of a question mark as you can have.  Will Tisdale score 25 or 2?  Will Davis score 15 or none?  Will Richardson make a field goal?  I have absolutely no idea.  If Illinois could play their “A” game night in and night out, we’re ranked.  The problem is, after an “A” game (Vanderbilt), we follow it up with a “D” game (Georgia). 

 The problem with playing Purdue is you could play your “A” game and still lose.  It depends on how they respond to their three game losing streak.  Will they come to Champaign with their heads hanging down, or will they be angry and looking for blood?  I think they will come out and look to put the Illini away early.  Don’t know if they will, but Purdue is on a mission to get back on track.  If Illinois isn’t mentally prepared (and it seems like the mental part of the game lacks a bit with these kids), Purdue could run away with it.  Let’s hope Bruce has the troops ready for battle.

It’s time for you to predict below.  Will Illinois protect this house, or will Purdue be on boil order?  Also, just out of curiosity, who is you’re second favorite NCAA team.  When Illinois isn’t on, whom do you root for?  I don’t even know if I can answer that question myself, but it would be down to Penn State, Rice, or Georgia.  Talk to you after Tuesday.

I-L-L…