Commodores  68    Fighting Illini  79

Vanderbilt (6-1) at Illinois (6-2)

Sports Network | December 8, 2009

GAME NOTES: The Vanderbilt Commodores of the SEC and the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference will collide in Champaign tonight.

Vanderbilt moved to 6-1 overall with a 67-54 triumph over DePaul on Saturday. That victory was the fourth in a row for the Commodores, who suffered their lone loss to Cincinnati on a neutral court back in November. With wins over teams from the Big 12, Pac-10 and Big East thus far, it is obvious that Vandy has played its fair share of solid competition unlike many other clubs from major conferences.

Illinois has won its last two games to move to 6-2 overall, and the most recent triumph occurred on Saturday over Boise State by an 84-77 final. In the previous outing, the Illini knocked off a tough Clemson team by virtue of the greatest comeback in program history, so there is no double that they are carrying a wealth of momentum into tonight's affair.

The Illini hold a 5-3 edge over Vanderbilt in the all-time series between the teams, including a 69-63 triumph over the Commodores last season.

While the Commodores do not have a true star in the lineup, there are three solid performers in the mix that can be counted on for a strong effort every time out. Jeffery Taylor continues to pace Vandy with 15.4 ppg and 7.0 rpg, while center A.J. Ogilvy, who has led the team in scoring the last three times out, checks in with 14.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Jermaine Beal brings 13.7 ppg to the floor, as he is the top performer among the guards. The Commodores are generating 76.1 ppg while limiting foes to 65.7 ppg on 39 percent field goal efficiency. In the recent victory over DePaul, Ogilvy scored 19 points to lead the charge. Taylor was close behind with 18 points for Vandy, which limited the Blue Demons to 39.3 percent shooting from the floor while outscoring them from the foul line by a 20-5 margin.

Strong defense has been key to Illinois' success thus far, as the team has been able to limit opponents to 65.6 ppg on 40.6 percent shooting from the field. The Illini are also outrebounding foes by nearly seven boards per contest, and they are racking up 79.2 ppg. Mike Davis is one of five double- digit scorers for Illinois, as he is generating 13.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg. Demetri McCamey provides 12.6 ppg, and Brandon Paul checks in with 12.3 ppg. Mike Tisdale (10.9 ppg) and D.J. Richardson (10.6 ppg) round out the balanced Illinois attack. In Saturday's triumph over Boise State, all five starters reached double figures in scoring, paced by McCamey's 23-point outburst. The Illini shot 59.3 percent from the floor in the second half to hold off the Broncos.

In what figures to be a close game from start to finish, give a narrow edge to the home team. The balance of the Illini at the offensive end will be the difference.

GAME NOTES: The Vanderbilt Commodores of the SEC and the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference will collide in Champaign tonight.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Assembly Hall (16,833) -- Champaign, Illinois. Television: Big Ten Network. Home Record: Vanderbilt 3-0, Illinois 5-0. Away Record: Vanderbilt 1-0, Illinois 1-0. Neutral Record: Vanderbilt 2-1, Illinois 0-2. Conference Record: Vanderbilt 0-0, Illinois 0-0. Series Record: Illinois leads, 5-3.

Tuesday, December 8th, 8:30 p.m. (et)

Illinois 77, Vanderbilt 73