FACTS & STATS: Conseco Fieldhouse (18,345) -- Indianapolis, Indiana. Television: CBS. Home Record: Illinois 7-8, Wisconsin 16-2. Away Record: Illinois 3-8, Wisconsin 10-2. Neutral Record: Illinois 6-2, Wisconsin 2-0. Conference Record: Illinois 5-13, Wisconsin 16-2. Series Record: Illinois leads, 106-71.

GAME NOTES: For the second consecutive season, the eighth-ranked and top- seeded Wisconsin Badgers will take part in the Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship when they battle the 10th-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini this afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Illini continue to shock the nation, as their improbable run through the Big Ten Tournament took another positive step yesterday, as they defeated Minnesota, 54-50. The Fighting Illini opened the tournament with a thrilling 64-63 victory over Penn State, and followed that with a hard-fought 74-67 overtime decision over Purdue. When the Illini take the floor today they will be the lowest seed to play in the Big Ten title game since 1999. Ironically, Illinois was that team that year as well, as the Illini navigated the field as the 11th-seed. This is the sixth Big Ten title game for Illinois, which has claimed two championships (2003 and 2005). As for the Badgers, they tangled with a very tough Michigan State squad in semifinal play, and although it was a back-and-forth, grueling contest, the Badgers came out on top in the final seconds, 65-63. Wisconsin finished the regular season with a 16-2 league ledger, earning the top spot in this event and a first- round bye. The Badgers hardly broke a sweat against Michigan in the quarterfinals, defeating the Wolverines, 51-34. Wisconsin and Illinois in the Big Ten title matchup is almost commonplace, as this will be the third occurrence since 2004. During the regular season, the Badgers defeated Illinois twice, but the Illini still have a commanding 106-71 edge in the all- time series.

The Illini continue to use what got them this far, and that is stingy defensive play. Illinois is surrendering just 61.1 ppg on the year, and is holding the opposition to just 39.6 percent shooting from the floor. Illinois' defensive play can be solely attributed to yesterday's, 54-50 victory over Minnesota. Illinois held the Golden Gophers to a mere 39.0 percent shooting effort from the floor, which included a 4-of-12 clip from behind the arc. Illinois scored 15 points off 11 Minnesota turnovers, and also outscored the Gophers in the paint, 22-16. The Illini were led by Shaun Pruitt's 16 points and eight rebounds. Brian Randle added 11 points and eight boards, while Demetri McCamey tallied eight points to go along with seven assists. Pruitt has been solid in the paint all year for the Illini and is currently pacing the team with 12.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Randle has been a contributor down low as well, as the forward is posting 9.5 ppg to go along with 5.5 rpg. As for McCamey, he definitely is not scoring threat, netting just 8.3 ppg, while shooting only 37.0 percent from the floor, but the guard is a tremendous leader on the court, as shown from his 113 assists.

Michael Flowers played the hero role last night for the Badgers, as the guard stole a pass and drove to the basket for two points, giving the Badgers a 65-63 lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Wisconsin would eventually win by that score and can rest knowing the team collected the win without playing its best defensively. The Badgers allowed Michigan State to shoot 42.0 percent from the floor, while also connecting on 7-of-15 shots from behind the arc. That would be a solid showing from most schools, but Wisconsin is currently leading the nation in scoring defense, surrendering a meager 53.9 ppg. The Badgers have limited teams to a mere 37.9 percent shooting effort from the floor, and have also dominated play on the glass, outrebounding opponents by 5.9 rpg. Wisconsin's victory is even more impressive when considering the team shot just 37.0 percent from the floor, and 29.4 percent from long range. Fortunately the team used a strong 26-of-37 clip from the foul line to help secure the win. The main source of production came from the frontcourt, as Brian Butch led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds. Marcus Landry added 18 points and nine boards, while Joe Krabbenhoft posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Butch has been the top option all year for Wisconsin, netting 12.5 ppg to go along with 6.8 rpg. As for Landry, he is a valuable second choice, contributing 11.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg.

This should be a typical, hard-fought defensive Big Ten battle. The Illini have shown tremendous heart during this great run, but expect the clock to strike midnight on this Cinderella hopeful.

Predicted Outcome

Wisconsin 63, Illinois 55