WHEN Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE Wells Fargo Arena (16,110) in Des Moines, Iowa
RECORDS Arkansas 20-13; Illinois 20-12
STREAK Arkansas lost 1; Illinois lost 2
SERIES Illinois leads 5-0
LAST MEETING Illinois defeated Arkansas 72-60 on Dec. 4, 2004, in North Little Rock.
COACHES Arkansas: Eric Musselman — 93-41 in fourth season at Arkansas and 203-75 in eighth season overall; Illinois: Brad Underwood — 114-78 in sixth season at Illinois and 223-105 in 11th season overall.
RADIO Razorback Sports Network can be accessed through local FM and AM affiliates. The game will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One.
TELEVISION The game will be televised by TBS and can be accessed via the NCAA March Madness Live app.
ANNOUNCERS Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
BETTING LINE Arkansas is a 1 1/2-point favorite, according to Saracen Casino Resort.
PREGAME READING
• Razorbacks tough to beat with ample time to prepare
• Devo Davis wired for tough defensive matchups
• Arkansas, Illinois are mirror images
• Hogs' freshmen lead the way entering NCAA Tournament
NOTABLE The winner of Thursday's game will play Saturday against the winner of a game between Kansas and Howard. The loser will be eliminated....If Arkansas wins twice in Des Moines, it will advance to the NCAA West Regional in Las Vegas....Arkansas is 6-2 in NCAA Tournament games over the past two seasons....Illinois has a 2-2 record in NCAA Tournament games the past two seasons. The Fighting Illini lost 68-53 to Houston in the second round of last year's tournament in Pittsburgh....Illinois went 11-9 in Big Ten play this season and tied for fifth in the conference standings....Missouri is the only common opponent for Arkansas and Illinois this season. The Fighting Illini lost 93-71 to Mizzou on Dec. 22 in St. Louis. Arkansas split its two-game series against Missouri....Illinois coach Brad Underwood is coaching in the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time. He also coached Stephen F. Austin to the tournament three times and Oklahoma State once. Underwood has an NCAA Tournament record of 4-6....Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has an NCAA Tournament record of 8-5. Musselman coached Nevada to the tournament three times before coaching the Razorbacks.
ILLINOIS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
POS. NAME, HT., YR.; PPG; RPG
G Terrence Shannon, 6-6, Sr.; 17.1; 4.7
G RJ Melendez, 6-7, So.; 5.9; 3.4
F Matthew Mayer, 6-9, R-Sr.; 12.8; 5.5
F Dain Dainja, 6-9, R-So.; 9.7; 5.5
F Coleman Hawkins, 6-10, Jr.; 9.9; 6.3
ARKANSAS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
POS. NAME, HT., YR.; PPG; RPG
G Nick Smith, 6-5, Fr.; 14.0; 1.8
G Anthony Black, 6-7, Fr.; 12.8; 5.1
G Davonte Davis, 6-3, Jr.; 10.5; 4.2
F Jordan Walsh, 6-7, Fr.; 7.2; 4.1
C Makhi Mitchell, 6-9, Sr.; 7.1; 5.5
TEAM COMPARISONS
Illinois – Arkansas
74.7 Points for 74.4
67.0 Points against 67.4
+4.4 Rebound margin +2.4
+0.3 Turnover margin +1.4
45.1 FG pct. 47.5
30.9 3-PT pct. 31.7
68.0 FT pct. 69.0