Other Game this Weekend with Connection to Illinois

I know we are all focused on Sunday's game with MSU, but I thought you'd be interested in a game on Saturday with all kinds of connections to Illinois and the B1G.

Kansas State vs. Kansas

CBS, 12 N CT, Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS

It's not expected to be close at all - Kansas is favored by 19 - but if you have been following Illinois basketball for the past few years (or decades), you will see a bunch of faces you will recognize, including:

• Coleman Hawkins - 4-year Illini great, who got a pile of money to play at K-State and is having a very off year.

• Bill Self - Former Illinois BB head coach, who famously left for Kansas just days after saying he was committed to Illinois for the long haul. (For this reason alone, I always root against Kansas. And, no, I'm still not over it.)

• A.J. Storr - Former Wisconsin star who almost transferred to Illinois, but then followed the money to Kansas and is seeing a major step-back in his game as well.

• Hunter Dickinson - Former Michigan star who never beat Illinois in three years at UM, who also headed to Kansas for the $$.

• Dug McDaniel - A star guard and Dickinson's teammate at Michigan, who transferred to K-State, and who - like Dickinson, Storr, and Hawkins - is seeing a major regression in his game.

I guess it takes it really good coaching to help transfers elevate their game. The teams that have that should be in very good shape in this new era. ;-)

Enjoy!