NCAA BK

Wed, Nov 28, 2012 - 9:00 PM ET
Game Preview
 

Georgia Tech-Illinois Preview

Share This Story

Updated Nov 27, 2012 6:15 PM ET
     
 

Illinois is undefeated and has already won a major regular-season tournament, but the Fighting Illini are far from satisfied.

Ranked for the first time this season, the No. 22 Illini look to continue their early success Wednesday night when they host Georgia Tech as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Not much was expected from Illinois (7-0) after it lost 12 of its final 14 to finish 17-15 in 2011-12, missing the NCAA tournament for the third time in five seasons. That disappointing conclusion cost Bruce Weber his job, but with five of their top seven scorers back, the Illini are off to a strong start under former Ohio coach John Groce.

"We've got seniors that have been through a lot," Groce said last week. "They stay very poised and very even-keeled. ... That's a part of our culture."

Illinois, which started 10-0 last season, took advantage of some early tournament upsets en route to the Maui Invitational title last week, beating Southern California, Chaminade and Butler.

Averaging 18.7 points on the season, Brandon Paul was named tournament MVP in Maui, where Illinois averaged 85.3 points and shot 50.3 percent while avoiding Texas and North Carolina.

"Anyone who thinks that's a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team, I would argue with them," said Butler coach Brad Stevens, whose team lost 78-61 to the Illini in the final.

For as well as Illinois played in Maui, Groce and his players know they are far from perfect.

Prior to the tournament, the Illini needed overtime to win 78-77 at Hawaii on Nov. 16. After returning to the mainland, Tyler Griffey hit a 3-pointer with 4 seconds left to give Illinois a 63-62 home victory Sunday over Gardner-Webb. The Illini have failed to outrebound either of their last two opponents and shot 43.8 percent while committing 18 turnovers Sunday.

"We've taken two haymakers now," Groce said. "By no means have we arrived. We still have work to do."

The Illini again have a chance to prove their worth when they play as a ranked team for the first time since Jan. 22. This will be Illinois' first meeting with Georgia Tech since a 105-66 win Nov. 23, 2001.

Illinois is 6-7 all-time in the annual series between the ACC and Big Ten, but is trying for its fourth consecutive victory in the Challenge. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, is trying to avoid a fifth straight loss in the event.

The Yellow Jackets (4-1) are coming off a 65-56 victory over Saint Mary's on Sunday in the third-place game of the DirecTV Classic in Anaheim. Brandon Reed scored 19 points as Georgia Tech bounced back from a 68-57 loss to California on Friday. The Yellow Jackets went 7 of 19 (36.8 percent) from 3-point range after going 11 of 67 (16.4 percent) in their first four contests.

"It will give us great confidence," said Reed, who was 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. "We need to hit it from the inside first and be ready to shoot and knock it down. This game will raise the confidence of the guards."

Georgia Tech's scoring leader is talented freshman swingman Marcus Georges-Hunt, who averages 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets have dropped eight in a row against non-conference Top 25 opponents since a 92-85 win over No. 12 Memphis on Nov. 21, 2006.

Tagged: Illinois, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Brandon Reed

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...

Zeller to enter NBA draft Posted: Apr 11, 2013
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft