News you can 't leave work without:

Illinois women's basketball star Jenna Smith is readying for her final home game of the regular season.

News you can't leave work without:

Eye on the future Illini

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Lacey Simpson flirted with a triple-double, but a slow start doomed Illinois in a 64-43 loss Thursday to Michigan State.

The Illini trailed 10-0 and 22-9, and they fell behind 35-15 at halftime.

Prediction: MICHIGAN STATE 63, ILLINOIS 51

Seems like this might be a tough game to find motivation for the languishing llini, who are staring at an emotional Senior Day on Sunday.

For the third straight year, the NCAA invited a smattering of media and coaches to engage in a mock selection exercise, and our Tony Bleill was one of the lucky ones in the mix.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Trailing by 30 points early in the second half, things looked bleak for Jolette Law's Illinois women's basketball team.

But the Illini never quit and went on a 34-8 run to cut the deficit to four with 3:30 remaining before eventually falling 77-67 at Iowa on Sunday.

Jolette Law has made no secret of her fondness for Iowa, where she starred for four Big Ten title-winning teams from 1986 to '90. She returned to Iowa City last season for the first time as a head coach, and the emotions were present.

CHAMPAIGN – For most of Illinois' home games this season, Jenna Smith's parents made the eight-hour drive from Bloomington, Minn., to see their daughter play.

On Thursday, they chose to stay home and watch it on BigTenNetwork.com. Bad timing.