NR/#24 Illinois (9-4, 0-2) at Northwestern (10-3, 1-1)
Jan. 4, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // Evanston, Ill. // Welsh-Ryan Arena
TV: BTN – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger // SiriusXM 109/195, SXM App 957
Illinois starts off 2023 on the road, resuming Big Ten play Wednesday night at Northwestern (8 p.m. CT, BTN). This begins a stretch of six games in 15 days for the Illini, with two-day preps for each of the next six games.
Illinois has won eight straight against Northwestern in a series that has featured many close games as of late, with nine of the last 10 decided by single digits, including six by five points or less. Illinois’ current eight-game winning streak is its longest over the Wildcats since winning 11 straight from Feb. 28, 2004-Dec. 30, 2009. Illinois’ three-game winning streak in Evanston, meanwhile, is its longest since winning four in a row at WelshRyan Arena from Jan. 15, 2005-Feb. 12, 2009.
Illinois is the only team in the country with two KenPom top-10 wins (No. 4 UCLA and No. 6 Texas).
Matthew Mayer enters the Northwestern game just 11 points away from scoring 1,000 for his career (989). Mayer has scored at least 14 points in four of the last five games, with two 21-point outings. He is averaging 15.8 ppg over this stretch, shooting 53.7% from the field (29-54) and 45.5% from three (15-33).
Terrence Shannon Jr. ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.8 ppg. Shannon is one of four power conference players averaging at least 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal per game (Jalen Wilson-Kansas, Keyontae Johnson-Kansas State & Jaime Jaquez-UCLA). Shannon is second in the B1G in both free throws made (66) and attempted (85). Shannon leads the Big Ten with 11 games of 13+ points, and is fourth in the B1G with four 20+ point games. After scoring a season-low four points vs. Penn State on Dec. 10, Shannon is averaging 17.7 points over the last three games (53). Shannon did not shoot a free throw against the Nittany Lions, but has since averaged 7.3 points at the foul line over the last three games (22-28).
Dain Dainja is coming off a career-high 22-point performance vs. Bethune Cookman last Thursday, his first time scoring in double figures in nine games. Dainja ranks 13th nationally in 2-point field goal percentage at 74.7% (59-79). Dainja has made at least 60% from the field in 11 of 13 games.
Coleman Hawkins is one of three players nationally averaging at least nine points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal (Drew Timme-Gonzaga & Jalen Slawson-Furman).
Freshman Jayden Epps has 22 points the last two games (11.0 ppg) after totaling 21 points the previous four games (5.3 ppg). Fellow freshman Sencire Harris has 20 points over the last two games (10.0 ppg) after combining for just nine points the previous five games (1.8 ppg).
Illinois is a balanced offensive team, with seven players averaging at least seven points. Illinois has had five players record a 20-point game this season, and eight players reach double figures scoring. Five different players have been Illinois’ leading scorer in a game, while seven different players have been the UI’s top rebounder in a game.
Northwestern will look to open conference play 2-1 for just the third time in the last 17 seasons: 2005-06 (2-1) and 2020-21 (3-0). Illinois has a 144-42 advantage in the all-time series. Head coach Chris Collins is 4-12 in his career against Illinois.
