Iowa set to take on top-ranked Illinois

With their tournament hopes fading the Iowa Hawkeyes return to action at home Saturday against top ranked and unbeaten Illinois. The Hawkeyes dropped to 4-7 in the Big Ten after Wednesday’s loss to Purdue. The first time around the Hawkeyes took the Illini to overtime before falling 73-68.Iowa coach Steve Alford says he thought thier guards matched up well against them, but he says they’re younger now. He says it will be a very tall order. He questioned the team’s leadership ater the Purdue loss but says his team has played hard all season and expects nothing different against Illinois. He says he’s never questioned the team’s effort and if they can take it to a high level, then they can compete.Tip off is 11:06 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.