Whoever set Illinois' Big Ten schedule put together a favorable first half of league play. A series of winnable games — both at home and on the road — that could help Illinois match preseason expectations (contending for a
conference title) with in-season results (actually contending for a conference title). Illinois will do so with one of the top offenses in the country and an improving defense anchored by legitimate rim protector Zvonimir Ivisic. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this
week's Inside Illini Basketball.