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Looking for the scoop on Western Kentucky? Staff writer Bob Asmussen asked Florida International coach Sergio Rouco for a scouting report. Rouco's Golden Panthers beat the Hilltoppers at home this season. Here's his take:

GET PHYSICAL
In its 81-79 home win against Western Kentucky, Florida International stayed close in rebounding, losing the battle of the boards 33-32.
"You've got to match their toughness and their intensity," Rouco said. "Your kids have to accept the challenge. We did it."
The toughest of the Hilltoppers, at least when Rouco saw them, was sophomore swingman Sergio Kerusch.
"He's a warrior," Rouco said. "He gets those intangible rebounds, putbacks, steals. He's a throwback. You can't find kids like him anymore."

RESPECT OMV
Orlando Mendez-Valdez might not look like your typical basketball star. He's on the small side, listed at 6-foot-1. But he was the Sun Belt's player of the year and burned Florida International with four three-pointers at Miami.
Teams tend to overlook Mendez-Valdez, Rouco said, to concentrate on the team's leading scorer, A.J. Slaughter.
"Mendez-Valdez, you look at him and you'd think he's the guy that's driving the ice cream truck," Rouco said. "He doesn't look like a basketball player, but he's tough as nails. He's one of my favorite players. He waited his turn to start on that team and has been a great player in that program. I'm ecstatic for him.
"He's the guy who makes all of the big shots."

SLOW THEM DOWN
Under first-year coach Ken McDonald, the Hilltoppers want to run. They are averaging 71.8 points a game, which is 135 places ahead of Illinois nationally.
"They're moving the basketball," Rouco said. "They're quick. They're very fast. They get on you."
McDonald was an assistant at Western Kentucky from 1998-2003 before joining Rick Barnes' staff at Texas.
"Ken's done a good job," Rouco said. "He comes from a good pedigree from Texas."

INSIDE STUFF
Rouco said Western Kentucky is vulnerable inside. Only one starter, Jeremy Evans, is taller than 6-5. And there isn't quality inside depth.
"They're weakness is inside," Rouco said. "D.J. Magley and Evans have to play for them to win."
The Hilltoppers are better rebounders on the offensive end. Illinois can take advantage of Western Kentucky's defensive rebounding.

FEELING GOOD
The Hilltoppers suffered Sun Belt losses to Florida International, Troy and Denver. Don't count that against Western Kentucky, Rouco said.
"Our league is really, really hard," Rouco said. "We are not Conference USA. There's nobody that's going to go undefeated here. If you don't bring it, you're going to be in trouble.
Rouco prefers to look at Western Kentucky's 14-point win against Louisville. And last year's run to the Sweet 16.
The current Hilltoppers have more NCAA tournament experience than Illinois. They won't be intimidated, Rouco said.
"They're experienced," Rouco said. "They've been in the tournament. Did Illinois make it last year? Western has the seed that they have, it won't be an upset in my eyes."
Rouco will be rooting for Western Kentucky.
"It will be very competitive," Rouco said. "I guarantee you that."

PILE ON
Rouco admits he made a mistake in his team's win against Western Kentucky: the Golden Panthers didn't finish the job. With 2 1/2 minutes left, Florida International was up by 15 points. It won by two.
"The good Christian in me cleaned the bench and brought in the four walk-ons," Rouco said. "And they played like walk-ons. For my heart condition, I won't do that again."
The Hilltoppers won't give up.
"Never," Rouco said. "They are tough as nails."