Purdue vs. No. 24 Illinois (8 p.m.)

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Illini follow NCAA tournament from afar

This isn't where the Illinois players want to be, playing in the NIT. It was NCAA tournament-or-bust for these guys. Truth is, with their spring break starting today, some of them would rather be on a beach somewhere than preparing for Kent State's visit Monday. That's just the way it is.

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By The News-Gazette

Thursday, January 2, 1997 2:00 PM CDT

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PURDUE (5-5)

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	Name	Ht	Yr	Avg
F	Brian Cardinal	6-8	Fr	12.2
C	Brad Miller	6-11	Jr	15.4
G	Jaraan Cornell	6-3	Fr	11.4
G	Chad Austin	6-2	Jr	13.4
G	Alan Eldridge	6-1	So	5.4

ILLINOIS (10-2)

	Name	Ht	Yr	Avg
F	Bryant Notree	6-5	Jr	9.9
F	Brian Johnson	6-6	Jr	7.5
C	Chris Gandy	6-9	Sr	10.1
G	Kiwane Garris	6-2	Sr	17.3
G	Matt Heldman	6-0	Jr	10.8

Site: Assembly Hall (capacity 16,450)
Radio/TV: WDWS 1400-AM, WHMS 97.5 FM, WDAN 1490-AM. Jim Turpin

and Loren Tate will call the game/Televised locally on WCIA (Channel 3).

Fred White will handle the play-by-play, Doug Altenberger the color.
Series: This is the 148th meeting between the schools. Purdue

leads 74-73, winning last year 74-70 in Champaign.
Coaches: Purdue, Gene Keady (17th year, 353-153), Illinois,

Lon Kruger (first year, 10-2).

The Boilermakers win if: They guard somebody. Defense has been

a problem, Purdue allowing opponents to shoot 47.5 percent. TCU outshot

the Boilermakers 57% to 36% in a 97-69 rout Monday.
The Illini win if: Chris Gandy keeps it up. In wins over UCLA

and Missouri, he averaged 16 points on 70% shooting. The UI''s leading dunker

should have fun against the Boilers, who have given up 29 jams and slammed

just 11 themselves.
N-G prediction: Illinois 83, Purdue 73. Only two UI wins have

been by less than 10 points.

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Bleill – Illinois' NCAA connections
Posted: 03/19 at 6:09:59 PM

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