Gophers at a glance: After losing five games in a seven-game stretch, the Gophers are hoping to use the home-court advantage to get back on track. Against Michigan State on Wednesday on the road, Andre Hollins was the only starter in double digits (11). Austin Hollins had eight points and six rebounds while dealing with a migraine, but he went 0-for-7 from three-point range. Freshman Wally Ellenson strained his left Achilles tendon in that game, which will keep him out for a week or two, coach Tubby Smith said.
Illinois at a glance: The Illini are feeling great after upsetting No. 1 Indiana at home on Thursday. They still have just a 3-7 conference record, but Illinois' NCAA tournament résumé just got a lot more interesting with victories over Butler, Gonzaga, Ohio State and now Indiana. Brandon Paul is averaging a team-high 16 points in the Big Ten and has scored at least 13 points in all but one game this season. D.J. Richardson is also hitting his stride, going off for double digits in seven of the past eight games.
AMELIA RAYNO
