Rutgers @ Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 25, 2018 ) Illinois 75, Rutgers 62

Illinois looks to build on its first signature win under second-year coach Brad Underwood when it hosts Rutgers on Saturday. The Illini, who began the Big Ten season with five consecutive losses, knocked off 11th-ranked Michigan State 79-74 on Tuesday to notch their first home win against a ranked opponent in over three years, and can record their first three-game winning streak in conference play since Feb. 2017 by downing the Scarlet Knights.

"I'm so happy for our guys because we weren't ready early to win and now we've had enough," Underwood told reporters. "I've never doubted this team for one second because they've never stopped working." Rutgers has dropped back-to-back contests after recording three straight wins in Big Ten play for the first time in program history. The Scarlet Knights were routed 76-62 by Ohio State before dropping a 77-65 home decision to seventh-ranked Michigan on Tuesday, and hope to get back on track by knocking off the Illini on the road for the first time in program history. "Illinois plays a unique style that is very different than anyone else in this league," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell told reporters. "They are really in a groove and playing good basketball at the right time so they pose many challenges for us."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT RUTGERS (11-11, 4-8 Big Ten): Eugene Omoruyi led the way with 21 points to go along with four rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Scarlet Knights fell to 0-11 all-time against Michigan. Montez Mathis added 12 points and a career-high five assists after being held to a combined eight points on 3-of-16 shooting in his previous two games. Geo Baker, who is averaging 13 points and four assists per game this season, was limited to eight points on 1-of-9 shooting from the floor and is 3-of-19 from the field in his last two outings.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (8-15, 4-8): Ayo Dosunmu knocked down four 3-pointers, including a pair of clutch triples down the stretch, en route to a game-high 24 points to go along with a career-high three steals in the upset win over Michigan State. Giorgi Bezhanishvili added 16 points and five rebounds after being held below 10 points in each of his previous three games, while Trent Frazier scored 15 points and recorded three steals as the Illini forced 24 turnovers. Andres Feliz has given Underwood a fourth scoring option in the last two weeks as he tallied 10 points to finish in double figures for the third time in four games.

TIP-INS

1. Illinois has won the last three home meetings with Rutgers by an average margin of 19.7 points.

2. The Scarlet Knights have dropped 16 of their last 17 Big Ten road games.

3. Dosunmu has registered five 20-point games since the beginning of January.

PREDICTION: Illinois 77, Rutgers 69