The story line: At the beginning of the season, this matchup would’ve gotten a few votes as the probable national final. But the Illini struggled for much of the season before righting themselves in February. Illinois beat Kansas in the Sweet 16 last season by using its depth and its height. The Illini have that advantage again, but they cannot let the Jayhawks control the tempo. Illinois must keep this game in the 70s to have a shot.
The “X” factor: Illinois junior forward Brian Cook is a supreme talent, but too often he fails to show up. The Illini need him to play good defense on KU forwards Drew Gooden and Nick Collison and provide low-post offense. There’s no way the Illini win if Cook has a poor game.
The story line: At the beginning of the season, this matchup would’ve gotten a few votes as the probable national final. But the Illini struggled for much of the season before righting themselves in February. Illinois beat Kansas in the Sweet 16 last season by using its depth and its height. The Illini have that advantage again, but they cannot let the Jayhawks control the tempo. Illinois must keep this game in the 70s to have a shot.
The “X” factor: Illinois junior forward Brian Cook is a supreme talent, but too often he fails to show up. The Illini need him to play good defense on KU forwards Drew Gooden and Nick Collison and provide low-post offense. There’s no way the Illini win if Cook has a poor game.
The story line: At the beginning of the season, this matchup would’ve gotten a few votes as the probable national final. But the Illini struggled for much of the season before righting themselves in February. Illinois beat Kansas in the Sweet 16 last season by using its depth and its height. The Illini have that advantage again, but they cannot let the Jayhawks control the tempo. Illinois must keep this game in the 70s to have a shot.
The “X” factor: Illinois junior forward Brian Cook is a supreme talent, but too often he fails to show up. The Illini need him to play good defense on KU forwards Drew Gooden and Nick Collison and provide low-post offense. There’s no way the Illini win if Cook has a poor game.
The story line: At the beginning of the season, this matchup would’ve gotten a few votes as the probable national final. But the Illini struggled for much of the season before righting themselves in February. Illinois beat Kansas in the Sweet 16 last season by using its depth and its height. The Illini have that advantage again, but they cannot let the Jayhawks control the tempo. Illinois must keep this game in the 70s to have a shot.
The “X” factor: Illinois junior forward Brian Cook is a supreme talent, but too often he fails to show up. The Illini need him to play good defense on KU forwards Drew Gooden and Nick Collison and provide low-post offense. There’s no way the Illini win if Cook has a poor game.