Illinois’ best week of the season has put it squarely in the Big 10 race.
But Illini coach Lou Henson still finds things to fret about. It’s his job.
This week he’s worrying about Michigan State’s visit to Champaign’s Assembly Hall on Wednesday night. The Spartans knocked off Illinois 79-74 Jan. 8 at East Lansing in a game marred-and perhaps decided-by Henson’s first career ejection at the Illini helm.
The memory of that game, in which Henson threw a fit after officials put the wrong Spartan on the free-throw line in the closing minutes, still burns Henson.
It’s enough to make him forget that the MSU offense has gone into reverse in the last week and that State has managed only two victories in Champaign since 1978.
“They’re going to be primed,” Henson said. “If you look at the psychology of the game, you can always tell when a team is going to be up. Michigan State, having lost to Michigan the other night, will be fired up.”
Illinois should be, too. The Illini (12-5, 5-3) come into the game in fourth place after beating Indiana and Penn State last week. They’re still very much in contention.
“I look for Illinois really to make a run this second half around,” Spartans coach Jud Heathcote said.
This is the time to do it. The Spartans are the first of four straight opponents with .500 or worse conference records. After Michigan State (14-8, 5-5), Illinois visits Northwestern (9-8, 0-8) Saturday, plays host to Ohio State (10-10, 3-6) Feb. 15 and travels to Iowa (9-9, 3-6) Feb. 19.
