CHAMPAIGN  Krista Reinking is eager to put up some big numbers this weekend.

   No, not necessarily in points, although that would be nice. Not necessarily in assists or three-point baskets or steals either, although the University of Illinois guard surely wouldn''t object to some big figures in any or all of those categories, too.

   The numbers the 5-foot-9 point guard most wants to beef up can be found under the M column of a basketball box score. For Reinking, minutes played has become the most meaningful statistic during her comeback from a nasty ankle sprain.

   "It doesn''t matter how many points I score this weekend," Reinking said. "I just want to get back in the flow of things because this is a crucial weekend for us. I hope I can contribute."

   Considering what''s at stake, the 15th-ranked Illini will welcome all the help they can get. Tied for first place in the Big Ten Conference with Michigan State, Illinois will visit Ohio State at 6:30 p.m. Friday before heading to East Lansing for a showdown with the 20th-ranked Spartans at noon Sunday.

   Entering the weekend, the Illini and MSU have identical records of 18-4 overall and 10-2 in the conference. Ohio State is 11-12 and 3-10.

   After opening the season as a reserve, Reinking regained her starting job when Illinois got off to a 3-2 start. During the next 12 games, Reinking averaged 11.7 points and the Illini went 10-2. It was during this time that Reinking stung Michigan State for four three-pointers and a season-high 22 points in a 90-81 UI victory.

   Then came the ankle sprain Jan. 17 at Penn State. Reinking sat out the next two games and has been brought along slowly, playing 11, 12 and 15 minutes in the last three contests.

   The days of closely monitoring Reinking''s playing time, however, may be over. Early this week, UI coach Theresa Grentz said the junior guard appeared almost completely recovered from her injury.

   "She''s ready to go," Grentz said.

   Said Reinking: "I think I''m pretty close as far as conditioning, and my ankle feels really good. It''s just a matter of getting my timing back, getting back into things with my teammates on the floor."

   Those teammates took up the slack admirably in the absence of both Reinking and fellow point guard Melissa Parker, who went down with an ankle sprain in a Jan. 24 visit to Northwestern, two games after Reinking was hurt. With Ashley Berggren taking over the point, the Illini have gone 3-0 to extend their winning streak to six.

   "I was really proud of the way the team played, the way Ashley handled herself at the point guard," Reinking said. "She stepped in there great."

   But now the 1996 All-Big Ten third-teamer is ready and eager to assume a larger role. During her extended stint on the bench, Reinking says, she realized how much fun she was missing out on.

   "It was kind of frustrating not being able to be out there with my teammates because we were doing so well, and everything is so exciting," she said.

   Still is, what with Illinois seeking its first Big Ten title and having to play three of the top four teams in the league during the next two weekends.

   Wisconsin visits Huff Hall on Feb. 21 and Purdue on Feb. 23.

   If the injury had to happen, says Reinking, there couldn''t be a better time to return than now.

   "I couldn''t be happier right now," Reinking said. "We''re winning. We''re in first place in the Big Ten. This weekend is going to be exciting."

A tough crowd.

   Which arenas in the Big Ten are the toughest on visiting teams? Senior Ann Henderson says the the Illini are heading into one Friday night.

   "It''s one of those places you hate to play at," the Illini guard said of Ohio State''s St. John Arena. "The fans are very close to the floor, so it feels like they''re right on top of you.

   "Every time you mess up ... they''re going to let you know that they know you made the mistake and they''re not going to let you forget it. It can be really frustrating sometimes."

   Trips to Columbus have been the epitome of frustration for the UI program. The Illini are 0-14 all-time at St. John. During Henderson''s career, Illinois has lost 93-48 and 93-66 there. But the UI senior expects different this Friday.

   "We''ve played very well on the road this year," said Henderson, referring to the UI''s 7-3 record on opponents'' home courts. "I''ve never been on a team that''s played that well. You know you can go anywhere and you can come out with a win."

Trip ''home'' for Dill.

   Senior and Detroit native Marchoe Dill will be making her final trip to her home state as an Illini player this weekend. Since her parents both are Michigan State alumni, Dill says she''s almost as familiar with that campus as with the UI''s.

   Her parents, who live in Detroit, will be in the Breslin Center stands Sunday.

   Dill''s father, Marshall, was a track All-American at MSU in the early 1970s and once held the world record in the 300-yard dash.

   Dill, a reserve forward, says her decision to sign with the UI had Marshall''s support.

   "He thought that it was a good decision as far as getting out of the state of Michigan," Marchoe said. "He thought that going to Michigan State, I would have to live in his shadow."