Illinois-Purdue

Illinois at Purdue

   Once again, this game could be crucial for the Illini's NCAA hopes.  A win here over a team that has won six straight and is still in the Big Ten title hunt would be HUGE for Illinois' stock.  After coming up with a win over lowly Iowa, Illinois (18-11, 8-8) is looking to win consecutive games for the first time since winning its first three conference games. The Illini win over Iowa on Saturday, snapped a two-game losing streak.

   Demetri McCamey is finally starting to play like the player all Illini fans were envisioning at the beginning of the year.  After a disappointing stretch, McCamey has been playing much better recently, averaging 16.5 points the last four games. Over the previous six games, he averaged 8.7 points while shooting 29.3 percent.

   The Boilermakers, on the other hand, have been one of the nation's hottest teams.  In that six-game winning streak, some of their wins have been over this Illini squad, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State.

    JaJuan Johnson had 20 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and seven blocks in their win over the Spartans.  Johnson's double-double was his second in four games. He's averaging 20.4 points and 8.1 rebounds this season.  As he has been all season, E'Twaun Moore has been his sidekick, pouring in nearly 19 ppg. 

   Illinois has lost four straight to Purdue and three of its last four visits to West Lafayette.  Purdue is trying to sweep the season series against the Illini for a second straight year.  Prediction: Sorry Illini fans, Purdue is just too good.  80-70