The No. 6 vs. No. 11 team features another matchup of teams that have faced each other just once this season. If Illinois (9-7 Big Ten, 21-10) were to suffer a defeat at the hands of the Nittany Lions (2-4, 11-18) in the first round of the tournament, they would most likely miss the NCAA Tournament.
The teams did not match up until late in the season, Feb. 24, when Illinois stormed into PSU's arena and defeated them 68-50. Scott Pruit paced the Illini with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while veteran Warren Carter pitched in with 17. PSU's star Geary Claxton led the Lions with only 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, while stud sophomore Jamelle Cornley had only five.
Both teams average less than 66 points per game, but their defenses differ drastically. Illinois ranks second behind Michigan State in scoring defense within the conference, and defense has perhaps been Penn State's main weakness, as their 68 points per game allowed are worst in the Big Ten.
Claxton's 16.6 points per game rank fifth in the conference, and Cornley sits at 12th with 13.7. Pruit, Carter and the Illini's sniper Rich McBride all average more than 10 points a game.
Prediction: Illinois' defense smothers Claxton, forcing the Nittany Lions to rely on the 3-point shot. While they can shoot it, they can't win with it.
Illinois 74, Penn State 56.
