GAME 1

UI women at Temple, 6 p.m. Friday

LINEUPS

ILLINOIS (0-0)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Macie Blinn 5-11 So. 0.0

G Lydia McCully 5-9 So. 0.0

C Jenna Smith 6-3 Sr. 0.0

F Lacey Simpson 6-1 Sr. 0.0

F Karisma Penn 6-2 Fr. 0.0

Top reserves

F Brianna Jones 6-3 Fr. 0.0

G Fabiola Josil 5-8 So. 0.0

G Amber Moore 5-10 Fr. 0.0

TEMPLE (0-0)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G LaKeisha Eaddy 5-6 Sr. 0.0

G Shaqwedia Wallace 5-9 Jr. 0.0

C Natasha Thames 6-0 Fr. 0.0

F Marli Bennett 6-1 Jr. 0.0

F Kristen McCarthy 6-0 So. 0.0

Top reserves

F Jasmine Stone 6-3 Sr. 0.0

F Danielle Brinkley 5-10 Jr. 0.0

G BJ Williams 5-7 So. 0.0

FACTS & FIGURES

Site: McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia.

Radio: None. Internet-only broadcast available at www.fightingillini.com (subscription required). Brian Moline calls the action.

Series: Temple leads 1-0, winning 66-47 last November in Champaign.

Coaches: Tonya Cardoza (21-10 in second season at Temple and overall); Jolette Law (30-36 in third season at Illinois and overall).

BLEILL'S STORYLINES

1

She's the one

The Owls have a clear, established leader in Eaddy, the point guard and leading returning scorer (11.4 ppg). She makes the Owls go, and if the Illini can find a way to slow her, they'll likely win. Eaddy toyed with the Illini a year ago, causing all kinds of havoc with her ability to get to the rim. Look for Illinois to try all manner of defenses in an effort to contain her and McCarthy, the only Owls capable of doing significant damage on the offensive end.

2

Banking on the vets

The Illini will rely heavily on their holdovers early in the season while the freshmen learn the ropes of college ball. That will be especially important today because Smith and Simpson will have major advantages inside against the Owls' green frontcourt. Temple's best hope is to make the game an up-tempo affair as it effectively did in last season's blowout of the Illini in Champaign.

3

At home in Philadelphia

Given that Philadelphia isn't far from Law's old stomping grounds in New Jersey, it's expected she'll have plenty of family and friends in the stands rooting for the Illini tonight. "I have received several calls," Law said. "Most of my family is in Philly, and the whole Rutgers clan is trying to come. I'm sure there will be a lot of red and white there to support (us)."

PREDICTION

ILLINOIS 56, TEMPLE 53

Very difficult game to predict. The teams appear to be evenly matched. Temple went 21-10 a year ago and routed Illinois, but the Owls were hit hard by graduation and were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic 10. The Illini are trying to fold in six freshmen. If the Illini have the mind-set of getting some payback for last year's drubbing, they might have a slight edge tonight. (2008-09 News-Gazette prediction record: 20-11).