Illinois at Penn State Preview: not these guys again!

Not much to this preview as its only a stunning five hours until tipoff in Happy Valley (!)

So what is there to say about this team. Its on a losing streak. It took everything they had to beat PSU in Champaign a few weeks ago, and this is the last team that the Illini actually beat. Oh also they have an abysmal record against PSU these last few years (yes, I too still can't believe it.)

There is nothing left to really point to is there? Mike Davis is having his problems again. Tisdale has been neutralized on defense due to his propensity to commit fouls. The freshmen seem to be back offensively but we are still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Demetri McCamey is Demetri McCamey, the best player on the team but by no means capable of carrying this team through every one of its inevitable breakdowns. The bench as been contributing less and less. Dominique has not delivered the inside presence in a back up role we had all hoped.

So, is there hope? Of course.

The hope is that the problems that have only really started to affect the performance of this team this season will be worked through, that whatever breakdowns in communication the team has had within itself are resolved, and that Chester Frazier takes an extended vacation back to Champaign to shape the team up and right the course. It also wouldn't hurt to have D.J. and BP go on an absurd John Wall like tear either. 

The conference schedule isn't going to be easy, but there is still ample time to shape up. The Illini have proven before that they can hold Talor Battle to very little, that they can beat very good teams, and that they can also fall apart in the second half and go on long scoring droughts.

I have no prediction for this game. I think it will be close just like all the other ones. But I do hope that some momentum can be gained over the next three games, because if we can't beat these sad sack teams, Wisconsin and Ohio State will embarrass us.