Laura Rauch - AP

3 months ago: Illinois' Brandon Paul is fouled by Bradley's Anthony Thompson during an NCAA college basketball game at the Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. Bradley defeated Illinois 72-68. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

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So, in the midst of a two game losing streak,  having only made their first trip out of the Assembly Hall and losing to an in state school that people like me think have no business even hanging with the Illini, our beloved team must travel to one of the most hostile environments in the ACC, potentially with the entire Big Ten ACC Challenge hanging in the balance.

Good thing we don't need this game to save face from over the weekend right? You know this game has me nervous, especially the way our freshmen vanished in the last two games. What this team could use is a home game right about now, not its first test against a nationally ranked opponent. Then again, maybe the competition will bring out the best in the freshmen, along the same lines that Demetri stepped up against Indiana and Purdue two years ago. The Illini need production from their guards, and when two of those guards are freshmen who have suddenly vanished from the box score your scoring options look less than optimal.

The Illini are not going to enjoy the dramatic size and talent advantage that they have in the last few games, so guard play is going to be key. The Illini need to focus especially on what has been their undoing in the last two losses, turnovers and second half defense. i know the team looked ragged in the second half against Bradley, that is because its tough to get your second line players off the bench when you can't pull away so much as 5 points. The starters are going to have to score or they are going to have to really really buckle down on defense. Even so, I think the game will be close. Last year's game ended much like the last two games, a closing moments possession that proved to be the undoing for the Illini, hopefully this time the Illini can come actually close things out.

tip is at 6:15 central, ESPN