3Arizona 78 - 72 5Illinois
Final - OT
  for this game

Bayless leads Arizona against Illinois

Dec 8, 2007 - 2:05 PM No. 24 Arizona (5-2) at Illinois (5-2) 12:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Freshman sensation Jerryd Bayless and No. 24 Arizona will look to remain hot on Saturday against Illinois in the December to Remember Classic.

The Wildcats have won four of their last five games, including a 78-67 victory over previously unbeaten Texas A&M on Sunday. Arizona rallied from a 20-point deficit in the first half.

It will be the first game for the Wildcats since coach Lute Olson announced on Thursday that he will not return this season from a leave of absence, which was originally announced on November 4.

The Fighting Illini and Arizona are meeting at the United Center for the first time since Illinois' 81-73 victory on December 16, 2000. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 7-6, including an 84-72 last December in Phoenix.

Bayless, a 6-3 guard, averaged 23.5 points and shot 60 percent from the field in leading Arizona to a pair of victories last week. For the season, Bayless is averaging a team-high 19.9 points and 4.9 assists.

Sophomore forward Chase Budinger averages 18.4 points and a team-high 4.9 rebounds for the Wildcats. The Illini are 2-2 in their last four games following a 3-0 start.

Illinois hasn't played since last Saturday, a 78-61 victory over Weber State behind a career-high 26 points from junior guard Trent Meacham, who averages 10.9 points to lead the team.

Following Saturday's game, the Illini will not play again until December 17.






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