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C-U native Wallen dons new colors, brings cheering section

CHAMPAIGN —Doug Wallen is counting on a fairly sizable group of fans at State Farm Center. Perhaps a little hometown edge instead of home court advantage for the former St. Thomas More and Champaign Central standout.

The 7 p.m. tipoff in the exhibition game between Illinois and Wallen’s Illinois Wesleyan squad gives the 6-foot-5 wing a chance to live out a childhood dream of playing on Lou Henson Court. That he’ll have his own cheering section — rocking Illinois Wesleyan green and white — is a bonus.

“I know I have a couple buddies that go to U of I that are going to be wearing all green as well as my family and girlfriend,” Wallen said.