Thursday, November 20th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Gym (14,168) -- Nashville, Tennessee. Television: FSN-South. Home Record: Illinois 2-0, Vanderbilt 1-0. Away Record: Illinois 0-0, Vanderbilt 0-0. Neutral Record: Illinois 0-0, Vanderbilt 0-0. Conference Record: Illinois 0-0, Vanderbilt 0-0. Series Record: Illinois leads, 4-3.

GAME NOTES: The Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road for the first time, as they invade Memorial Gym to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in non- conference action. The Illini carry a 2-0 mark into the contest, with both victories coming at home. The team kicked off its season with a 66-50 victory over Eastern Washington on Friday before bouncing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 72-53, on Sunday. Following this game, Illinois will return back home to host Jackson State on Sunday. As for Vanderbilt, it got its 2008-09 campaign underway on a positive note as well, notching a 74-48 triumph over Morehead State on Sunday. It was the 20th consecutive home win for the Commodores, who improved to 30-3 all-time in season openers at Memorial Gym. The team is in the midst of a four-game homestand that will continue against Middle Tennessee on Monday. Tonight's game marks the eighth all-time meeting between Illinois and Vanderbilt, with the Illini holding a 4-3 edge in the series. The teams though, haven't met since 1993, when the Commodores posted an 85-68 victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Illini clamped down on defense this past Sunday, as it forced 18 turnovers while holding Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to a dismal 33.3 percent shooting effort from the field in a victory. Illinois was also effective on defense in its opener, limiting Eastern Washington to an even worse 29.8 percent shooting performance from the floor. The Illini itself, has hit on over 43 percent of its field goal tries in both games and has won the battle on the boards in each as well. After being limited to just six points in the opener, Mike Davis erupted for 20 points and 14 rebounds on Sunday. Trent Meacham added 14 points and four assists in that win, while Demetri McCamey chipped in with 13 points. Both players reached double figures in the opener as well, with Meacham notching a team-high 18 points and McCamey 11.

The Commodores knocked down 45.8 percent from the floor and 22-of-28 at the foul line, as they cruised past Morehead State in their opener. The team also did some damage from beyond the arc, where it went 8-of-22 in the game. Highly touted freshman Jeffery Taylor led the charge, as he posted 16 points and five boards in his debut. A.J. Ogilvy and freshman Brad Tinsley each turned in 12 points, while fellow rookie Lance Goulbourne chipped in with 11 points. Ogilvy is the most notable of the players mentioned, as the 6-11 center is coming off a tremendous freshman campaign in which he registered 17.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg. Jermaine Beal, the team's only other returning starter, had 10 points and three steals in the opening victory.

Vanderbilt has been tough to beat on its home floor and it should be able to continue that trend behind a big game from Ogilvy and company tonight.

Predicted Outcome

Vanderbilt 66, Illinois 60