Hey its not like every one of our wins have come in the Assembly Hall, after all we did that crazy win in LittleJohn Coliseum. Remember that? And besides, Indiana plays at an Assembly Hall, so no big deal D.J. Richardson will be lighting them up all night....right?....RIGHT?

Look, I know that the Illini should win this game, and if they really  want to make the tournament, they can't keep losing to the lower tiered teams of the world. And despite showing some signs of life lately that is exactly what Indiana is right now. But I am easily worried, and the strong first half Indiana had against Kentucky is itching the back of my brain, and the fact that the Illini have played less than stellar when they don't have the Orange Krush insulting the virtue of opposing players mothers. Also Verdell Jones III is a local Champaign product who has been playing startlingly well, and who no doubt would love nothing more than to stick it to the team he loved as a kid. Also you know, its Indiana, a team that we have not been on the best of terms with lately. So yeah, at least motivationally I don't see how IU comes into Saturday night absolutely ready to punch us in the mouth.  I don't know why, but I think this game is not the best situation for the Illini to be walking into right now. On the other hand...

Bruce has reiterated that he doesn't really know who he wants to be starting from now on, and is very open to changing it around from game to game in order to "keep them on their toes." Bruce is still looking for the cure for the Illini's inability to come out of the gate playing as hard or as well as they need to. I believe the Illini missed the first 8 or 9 shots they took against Iowa on Tuesday.  Iowa couldn't capitalize, Gonzaga did.  So the starting lineup tinkering will continue.

I think Jeff Jordan may have recemented his position as Chester Frazier redux with his play in the last two games, and is probably going to earn another start for himself tomorrow night. As much as I like Bill Cole and his effort, I am hoping that his trip to the starting lineup doesn't cost Demetri a spot there again, because Iowa might have been his best performance as a point guard all year. 

The return to the slow, clock milking, open shot shooting Illini of yesteryear that we saw against the Hawkeyes is probably the best inoculation Bruce has against another game where the freshmen really don't show up to play. And if they don't show up for games away from Champaign, it might be what it takes to prevent another bad loss.

Game time is Saturday, 7pm central on the BTN