Kasparas Jakucionis noticed his left forearm act up within the aftermath of his staff’s latest journey to the Pacific Northwest.
Whereas No. 13 Illinois is not sure of its main scorer’s standing for Saturday afternoon’s go to from Southern California in Champaign, Unwell., the Preventing Illini are assured of their depth if Jakucionis sits out.
Illinois (12-3, 4-1 Huge Ten) is averaging 87.9 factors this season and 95.6 throughout its five-game profitable streak, which began with an 80-77 victory over Missouri on Dec. 22.
A unique participant has been Illinois’ main scorer prior to now 4 video games, together with in Wednesday’s 91-52 rout of visiting Penn State, when Jakucionis sat out after scoring 18 in Sunday’s 81-77 win at Washington.
“It is one thing that is restricted him within the two days prior getting back from the Washington journey,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood stated. “We’ll see. If we have him, we have him. If we do not, we do not. You know the way I’m — subsequent man up.”
Ben Humrichous, who averages 9 factors a sport, scored 21 on Wednesday for Illinois. He additionally scored 18 in a 109-77 win at then-No. 9 Oregon on Jan. 2 and had 19 factors by halftime whereas contributing to a protection that held Penn State to 30.8 % capturing from the sphere.
“This staff actually prides itself on our defensive skills, and also you noticed tonight, once we actually guard, we have now the power to get out in transition, and our offense actually thrives on our defensive skills,” Humrichous stated. “We have identified this staff has a extremely, actually excessive ceiling.”
Tre White is also rising as a risk by averaging 19 factors in his previous three video games after scoring 20 Wednesday. White is capturing 56.3 % from the ground after capturing 45.6 % with Louisville final season and has been in double figures in six of his previous seven video games whereas capturing 61.5 % (32 of 52).
Already with loads of depth, the Illini are also intrigued about Morez Johnson Jr. One of many high in-state recruits, he collected 20 and 11 rebounds on Wednesday for his second profession double-double whereas contributing 20 minutes.
Will Riley, who led the staff in scoring 3 times within the first 5 contests, began for Jakucionis and certain will achieve this once more if wanted.
Southern California (9-6, 1-3) enters with 5 losses in its previous 9 video games and has scored greater than 74 factors on one event in its 4 convention video games. The Trojans are also coming off a pair of subpar capturing performances in double-digit losses to Michigan and Indiana.
USC noticed its Huge Ten struggles proceed with Wednesday’s 82-69 loss at Indiana. The Trojans continued to point out inconsistency behind the 3-point line by making simply 6 of 26 makes an attempt.
The Trojans had been outscored 44-31 within the second half after getting outscored by seven within the last 20 minutes in opposition to the Wolverines.
“We wish to win video games, clearly, however I feel anybody that watches us can say we compete,” Southern California coach Eric Musselman stated. “We undergo some offensive dry spells that harm us.”
Wesley Yates III is beginning to emerge as an choice for Musselman, who noticed the Washington switch lead the staff with 18 factors and attain double figures for the third straight time.
Desmond Claude added 15 factors, and the Trojans’ high scorer — who averages 14.9 factors a sport — has been in double figures in eight straight video games.
–Subject Stage Media
