The Illini, nearly a week removed from Top 25 losses to Maryland and Arizona, got back to their winning ways Wednesday night, defeating IUPUI 87-59 in front of a sellout crowd of 16,618 at the Assembly Hall. Behind a balanced scoring attack and the return of sophomore sharpshooter Jamar Smith, head coach Bruce Weber picked up his 200th career victory.

For the game, the Illini managed to shoot 55.2 percent (32-of-58) from the field and 58.3 percent on 14-of-24 shooting from the three-point line.

“They were just too much from the perimeter,” IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter said. “We wanted them to take 25 to 30 threes; we just didn’t expect them to make that many. We only thought they would make five or six.”

Hunter believes Illinois has the talent to win the Big Ten- once the Illini can compete with its full roster.

Senior forward Warren Carter led the Illini with 21 points and added eight rebounds, while four other players scored in double figures, including Rich McBride (18 points), Jamar Smith (15), Trent Meacham (12) and Calvin Brock (11). Brock also added seven assists and three steals, but also four turnovers.

After practicing Monday and Tuesday, Smith got the OK to play against IUPUI – but not after “bugging” Weber for nearly three days to get on the court.

“He responded and seemed fine and played a little better on Tuesday (in practice),” Weber said. “But he made sure to text me a few times (Wednesday) morning to make sure I’d let him play.”

Brock’s four turnovers were the most of any Illini player. Sophomore guard Chester Frazier, still playing with a mildly sprained ankle, didn’t score, but added 11 assists in 33 minutes.

“I’ve told (Chester) when we get all the shooters back, he just has to deliver and understand what he’s about, so that was positive,” Weber said.

But as well as Illinois played on offense, the team had its share of defensive breakdowns – or mental breakdowns as Carter put it.

“In the second half with some casual turnovers, I thought we could have blown it out – don’t want to rub it in, but I want to play good,” Weber said. “And the start of second half, we just turned it over too many (times) after a pretty solid passing first half.” The Illini committed 13 turnovers, but forced 17 IUPUI turnovers, which they converted into 25 points.

In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, Illinois raced out to an early 14-5 lead before pushing the Jaguars deficit to 42-25 at the half. IUPUI cut Illinois’ lead to 30-23 with 6:20 to play in the half, but the Illini followed it up with a 12-2 run, highlighted by a Shaun Pruitt three-point play and two Calvin Brock jump shots.

With just one game to play before the Christmas break, Weber just hopes the Illini can survive the game against UIC on Saturday at the United Center.

“We need rest,” Weber said. “If we can get through Saturday, then those (injured) will rest Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.”