Eye on the enemy: Corey Sanders

Rutgers’ success comes from junior guard Corey Sanders. He leads the Scarlet Knights in scoring (averaging 13.6 points per game), field goals (118), assists (3.4 per game) and steals (1.4 per game). However, Sanders failed to perform in Saturday’s 60-43 loss at Penn State, shooting 0-7 from the field. He was benched in the second half by head coach Steve Pikiell after Sanders had the ball stolen from him and then failed to get back on defense after. For Rutgers to get only its second road Big Ten victory since joining the conference — the program is 1-31 with its only win coming at Penn State last February — Sanders will have to shoulder a lot of both the scoring and playmaking loads.

Eye on the Illini: Kipper Nichols

The recent unsung hero of the Illini has been Kipper Nichols. The sophomore averages 9.3 points per game. In his last three outings, including a 27-point performance against Michigan State, Nichols has played a more aggressive game. He averages 16.7 minutes a game so far this season but still plays a crucial role in the performance against Indiana, the team’s first Big Ten win of the season. The Illini outscored the Hoosiers in the second half, emphasized by a 3-pointer by Nichols. Only ahead by three, the Illini tossed the ball to Nichols where he landed a jumper, launching the Illini ahead.

Editor’s note: All stats and results as of 1/17

Schedules

Illinois (10-9, 0-6 Big Ten Conference)

11/10 Southern – W (102-55)

11/12 Tennessee-Martin – W (77-74)

11/17 DePaul – W (82-73)

11/19 Marshall – W (91-74)

11/22 Augustana – W (96-62)

11/24 North Carolina Central – W (86-73)

11/28 Wake Forest – L (80-73)

12/1 Northwestern – L (72-68 OT)

12/3 Maryland – L (92-91 OT)

12/6 Austin Peay – W (64-57)

12/9 UNLV – L (89-82)

12/13 Longwood – W (92-45)

12/16 New Mexico State – L (74-69)

12/23 Missouri – W (70-64)

12/30 Grand Canyon – W (62-58)

1/3 Minnesota – L (77-67)

1/6 Michigan – L (79-69)

1/11 Iowa – L (104-97 OT)

1/15 Nebraska – L (64-63)

1/19 Wisconsin – L (75-50)

1/22 Michigan State – L (87-74)

1/24 Indiana – W (73-71)

1/30 Rutgers – 6:00 p.m.

2/4 Ohio State – 11:00 a.m.

2/8 Wisconsin – 8:00 p.m.

2/11 Penn State – 6:00 p.m.

2/14 Indiana – 7:30 p.m.

2/18 Nebraska – 2:30 p.m.

2/20 Michigan State – 6:00 p.m.

2/22 Purdue – 6:00 p.m.

2/25 Rutgers – 2:00 p.m.

2/28-3/4 Big Ten Tournament

Rutgers

Brad Underwood vs. Steve Pikiell

These coaches can relate to eachother. Both of them took over for struggling programs and are in the midst of trying to pull them back up to the standards the Big Ten demands. While Underwood is only in his first season, Pikiell is in his second season as the Scarlet Knight’s head coach. Pikiell led his team to their first ever Big Ten conference road win last season, and he will be looking for his second against the Illini. Meanwhile, Underwood will be looking to pick up his second Big Ten Conference win.

Conference standings

Big Ten Conference

1. Purdue (9-0)
2. Ohio State (9-1)
3. Michigan State (7-2)
4. Nebraska (7-4)
5. Michigan (6-4)
6. Indiana (5-4)
7. Penn State (5-5)
8. Northwestern (4-5)
9. Maryland (4-5)
10. Wisconsin (3-6)
11. Minnesota (3-7)
12. Rutgers (2-8)
13. Iowa (2-8)
14. Illinois (1-8)