UI women's preview: Indiana

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UI women vs. Indiana, 1 p.m. Sunday

LINEUPS

indiana (12-10, 5-6)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Jori Davis 5-9 Jr. 17.5

G Whitney Lindsay 5-7 Jr. 7.2

G Jamie Braun 5-8 Sr. 11.5

F Hope Elam 6-1 Jr. 10.5

F Danilsa Andujar 6-2 So. 2.3

Top reserves

G Andrea McGuirt 5-9 Jr. 1.9

F Aulani Sinclair 6-1 Fr. 4.7

F Jasmine Davis 6-2 Fr. 0.0

illinois (12-10, 4-8)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Lacey Simpson 6-1 Sr. 9.4

G Lydia McCully (right) 5-9 So. 3.4

C Jenna Smith 6-3 Sr. 18.7

F Kersten Magrum 6-1 Fr. 2.3

F Karisma Penn 6-2 Fr. 11.5

Top reserves

G Fabiola Josil 5-9 So. 2.5

G Whitney Toone 5-10 Sr. 3.0

G Adrienne GodBold 5-11 Fr. 6.5

Facts & figures

Site: Assembly Hall, Champaign.

Radio: Dave Loane and Mike Koon call the action on WDWS 1400-AM and WDAN 1490-AM.

Series: Indiana leads 31-26 but the Illini own a 16-10 edge in Champaign. The Illini's three-game winning streak in the series was snapped when they blew a late lead and lost in Bloomington 50-48 on Jan. 7.

Coaches: Felisha Legette-Jack (70-50 in fourth season at Indiana; 124-113 in eighth season overall); Jolette Law (42-46 in third season at Illinois and overall).

Storylines

1

Thinking Pink

Today is the program's WBCA Pink Zone game, the fourth annual event to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. Anyone wearing pink will be admitted free, and the Illini will be wearing pink uniforms. Breast cancer survivors and their families will form a "Tunnel of Hope" that the Illini players will run through before the game. Other activities include a raffle and an online auction. The Courtsiders support group will raffle several prizes, including a pink iPod Nano and an Illinois jersey signed by Law and Bruce Weber.

2

Chance for payback

The teams' first meeting looked like an Illinois victory for the better part of 35 minutes. But the Illini faltered down the stretch and watched Braun score the decisive points with 3 seconds left. At the time, it was a crushing loss for the Illini, but time has since healed a few of those wounds. Part of the reason that loss doesn't look so bad now: Indiana is coming off a home victory against Ohio State last Sunday, so the Hoosiers enter today's game with their confidence soaring.

3

Hope springs eternal

One of the primary instigators in the Ohio State victory was Champaign Central product Elam, who had 15 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes. She scored in double figures in five of the last seven games, topped by a 24-point, 10-rebound outing against Michigan. Look for Elam to have friends and family in the stands today as she takes on her hometown team for the second time. She had eight points and five rebounds after a slow start in the Jan. 7 matchup.

Prediction

ILLINOIS 60, INDIANA 53

The Hoosiers are dangerous because they have momentum. Look for both teams to rely heavily on their starters (Indiana has been using seven players lately), so depth might be a key. If the Illini can establish Smith early, they could have an edge. She should be difficult for the Hoosiers' young frontline to handle. (News-Gazette prediction record: 14-8).

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