Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the LIVE! Report from State Farm Center. Illinois (8-8, 0-3 Big Ten) and No. 20 Purdue (14-2, 2-1) are about 90 minutes from tip in what could be a pivotal game for John Groce's Illini. A win would not only be their first since a Braggin' Rights victory against Missouri on Dec. 23 but would also forestall their first 0-4 start in Big Ten play since the 2007-08 season.
Illinois is coming off a 79-54 loss at No. 5 Michigan State on Thursday night in East Lansing, Mich. Junior guard Kendrick Nunn didn't play in that game, as he remained in Champaign for the birth of his son, Kason.