This is it, the game that everyone has been waiting for since the first exhibition game against Bemidji State. The Big Ten season is here and the Gophers are about to show what they've got … or what they don't. Tonight's game against Illinois should be an immediate challenge. The Illini were ranked a week ago – until getting beat by No. 8 Missouri on Thursday – and have had a stronger non-conference than the Gophers and have looked solid.

This game is the Gophers' first chance to prove they are real, not just the best of the mid majors they have played so far. "To answer (the critics), we just have to beat teams," Joe Coleman said on Monday. "We have to win a lot of games in the Big Ten. And to do that, we have to play as a team and listen to what coach (Tubby) Smith is telling us. "Going on the road, they'll have the sixth man. We just have to come in, play the way we're supposed to and hopefully we beat those teams and learn from those two big games coming up." Three things Smith is looking for tonight: 1. Prove it. The Gophers' formula has worked in non-conference play. Can it still work against the Big Ten's best? 2. Ralph Sampson looking aggressive. He has a big matchup tonight in the Illini's impressive big man MeyersLeonard. Will he rise to the occasion? 3. Maverick showing he's a starter. Smith put him in the lineup, and believes in the strong improvements he's seen in the sophomore. Can he continue that tonight?

  • You can watch tonight's game on the Big Ten Network
  • You can listen to tonight's game live on 1500ESPN or here.
  • You can read my preview here.
  • Check out the matchup here.