Roster Changes Give Uncertainty to No. 14 Illinois’ Rematch with Rutgers

Illinois vs. Rutgers Preview and Prediction

With Illinois dominating Rutgers by 18 during the Big Ten opener on Dec. 2, both teams are now set for a rematch at No. 14 Illinois this Sunday.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the alterations in the rosters of both teams. Rutgers (10-7, 2-4) was without senior forward Mawot Mag, who has been averaging 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds and was crucial defensively after his return from a torn ACL nine games ago.

Conversely, Illinois (13-4, 4-2) is now without the contributions of senior wing Terrence Shannon Jr., who is currently under indefinite suspension following charges of rape in Kansas.

Shannon was on a path for All-American recognition and racked up 23 points and nine rebounds in their initial encounter with Rutgers.

Despite Shannon’s absence, Illinois has performed admirably, achieving a 4-2 record and showing an increased point per possession average of 1.22 in the six games without Shannon, compared to 1.12 in the 11 games with him.

Their recent 88-73 victory against Michigan, where five players scored in double figures and the team committed a season-low six turnovers, illustrates their offensive strength.

Illinois Coach Brad Underwood attributes their offensive success to “Not turning the ball over, Sharing the ball. Understanding where we’re trying to get (the ball).”

The team’s ability to exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities has been a driving force behind their offensive efficiency.

Senior center Coleman Hawkins particularly benefited from this strategy, delivering a standout performance with a season-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a career-high six steals.

While Underwood has been relishing the consistent excellence of his team, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell has been exploring various tactics to generate sufficient offense to complement the team’s typically strong defense, ranked No. 6 nationally per KenPom.

Rutgers’ recent 87-82 overtime triumph over Nebraska showcased a newfound offensive prowess, with season highs in points and rebounds, along with 25 offensive boards.

Sophomore point guard Derek Simpson played a pivotal role in this victory, amassing 14 points, a career-high eight assists, and a career-high-tying eight rebounds, a stark contrast to his previous performance against Illinois.

Pikiell is aiming for a repeat of Wednesday’s impressive display in their upcoming game in Champaign, Ill., despite the significant gap between Illinois and Rutgers in the KenPom and NET rankings.

“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing,” he said. “I tell these guys, ‘Games aren’t won on computers. They’re won with the work that you do and the prep that you do.’

“Now we’ve got to go to Illinois and they’re one of the best teams in the country. It doesn’t get any easier. (But if) these guys keep being connected, keep playing defense and rebounding like that, (put) 87 points on the board, we can beat a lot of teams.”

  1. College Sports News

    WCC to Add Grand Canyon and Seattle in 2025

    WCC adding Seattle U and Grand Canyon University

    WCC adding Seattle U and Grand Canyon University

    Seattle and Grand Canyon will be leaving the Western Athletic Conference and moving to the West Coast Conference starting July 2025.

    The nine current members of the conference are private universities with a religious affiliation. Seattle is a Jesuit institution, while Grand Canyon, situated in Phoenix, is a Christian college.

    Grand Canyon’s basketball achievements were a significant factor in attracting WCC commissioner Stu Jackson. The team has participated in the last two NCAA Tournaments and three of the previous four under the leadership of coach Bryce Drew.

    As the 12th-seeded Antelopes defeated fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s before losing to Alabama in the tournament this season.

    Saint Mary’s is currently a member of the West Coast Conference.

    The WCC, while also integrating Oregon State and Washington State this autumn (excluding football), will expand from 11 to 13 members by the 2025-26 season.

    The future beyond 2026 looks uncertain, with Oregon State and Washington State appearing unlikely to continue with the WCC.

    The former Pac-12 schools are under a two-year contract, expiring on June 30, 2026. Sources from CBS Sports suggest that the odds of the two Pacific Northwest institutions staying are slim, with a move to the Mountain West or a new conference formation being more probable.

    Following the departures of Sam Houston and New Mexico State last year, Seattle and Grand Canyon’s exit from the WAC will reduce the conference’s membership to just eight by July 2025.

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  2. College Sports News

    Ex-Cal State Fullerton G Max Jones Commits to Kansas State

    Kansas State adds athletic wing in left-handed shooter Max Jones

    Kansas State adds athletic wing in left-handed shooter Max Jones

    Former guard of Cal State Fullerton Max Jones has made a decision to join Kansas State for his upcoming collegiate season, according to reports.

    Notable alternatives that Jones purportedly pondered were New Mexico, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Florida Atlantic, and Loyola Chicago.

    During the previous season with the Titans, Jones maintained an average of 15.3 points and 3.0 rebounds across 24 games, in which he started 21. He secured the second-highest scoring position within the team, alongside being the second in 3-pointers with 42 baskets and 41 steals.

    In the season prior, Jones held an average of 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 32 games, amassing 34 three-pointers and 30 steals.

    Before making his way to Cal State Fullerton post the 2021-22 season, Jones spent two years at Division II Tampa, where he managed to achieve an average of 21.9 points across 21 games during his sophomore year with the Spartans.

    In the recent offseason, Kansas State acquired Dug McDaniel, a former player from Michigan recognized as one of the premier point guards available in this year’s transfer portal.

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  3. College Sports News

    Stanford Names Basketball Court in Honor of Tara VanDerveer

    View From The Top with Tara VanDerveer, Former Coach of Stanford Women’s Basketball

    View From The Top with Tara VanDerveer, Former Coach of Stanford Women’s Basketball

    Tara VanDerveer’s legacy at Stanford will now be visibly acknowledged, with the school revealing on Thursday that the basketball arena’s floor will bear the name of the esteemed Hall of Fame coach.

    At the age of 70, VanDerveer stepped down following her 38th season at the helm of the Cardinal.

    She steered Stanford to 14 Final Fours and secured three national championships (1990, 1992, 2021). VanDerveer embarked on her coaching journey at Idaho (1978-80) and later coached at Ohio State (1980-85).

    In January, she surpassed Mike Krzyzewski to clinch the title of the most successful college basketball coach in history, across both men’s and women’s teams. VanDerveer concluded with a remarkable 1,216-271 record, boasting a 1,064-220 tally with the Cardinal.

    Alongside the unveiling of the Tara VanDerveer Court at Maples Pavilion this November, Stanford also established an endowed position in women’s basketball for an assistant coach in VanDerveer’s honor.

    VanDerveer said in a statement, “This endowment will go a long way to strengthening the future of Stanford women’s basketball. I have many wonderful memories of leading the women’s basketball program at Maples Pavilion.”

    “It’s an honor, and a little surreal, to know that my name will be linked to both in these ways, and I look forward to celebrating with all our fans this fall.”

    Last month, Stanford appointed Kate Paye, one of VanDerveer’s longtime assistant coaches who played for the Cardinal from 1991-95 and began coaching under VanDerveer in 2007, as the new head coach.

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