VS. 
GAME INFO: Sun., Feb. 1st, 2009 - 1:05 PM CST - Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL
IOWA: 12-9 (2-6); POM: 83; RPI: 88 / #19 ILLINOIS: 17-4 (5-3); POM: 24; RPI: 18
TV COVERAGE: BTN - pure awesomeness as Roy Marble and Kendall Gill are announcing this one!
RADIO: Links
GAME NOTES: HERE
LINE - Iowa is a 12 point underdog on the road.
Iowa has lost 5 out of their last 6 games and Tate is likely out, so things do not look good for the Hawks in this one. Although the W/Ls haven't looked good, you can definitely see that Iowa is steadily improving.
Iowa has been in a shooting slump the last few games, but they still rank fairly high nationally for 3 pt% (26th), 2 pt% (43rd) and FT% (21st). The problem lies in the fact that Iowa has a very limited number of possession in a game, which can be attributed to their horrible rebounding (worst in the Big Ten).
Even though Illinois score fewer points than in a high school girls' basketball, the Hawkeyes are going to be up against it today and I think Illinois' bigs are going to have a heyday against Iowa's big boys. Tisdale has made big strides in his sophomore campaign, and Iowa really doesn't have anyone to match up with him. Mike Davis should own the boards today. Being at home is going to give Illinois the help they need (11-1 at home so far this year). Illinois is the best passing team in the Big Ten, and they rank 4th in the nation in assists per game (over 18 a contest).
Iowa hasn't won a Big Ten road game yet, and I don't see one happening today.
Pomeroy gives Iowa a 13% chance to win the game.
PREDICTION:
Iowa - 57
Illinois - 66
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