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Maryland visits Illinois in ACC-Big Ten Challenge

Nov 28, 2006 - 2:03 PM No. 19 Maryland (7-0) at Illinois (7-0) 7:00 pm EST

CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) - A tenacious defense has been a major reason why Maryland is off to its best start in eight seasons.

The 19th-ranked Terrapins will face their toughest test of the campaign Tuesday when they take on Illinois in a battle of undefeated teams at the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Maryland has forced an average of 20.3 turnovers and limited its first seven opponents to 35 percent (151-of-431) shooting from the floor. The Terps have held their opposition to an average of 26.6 points in the first half and have won by an average of 21 points.

After topping St. John's and Michigan State to win the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic in New York, Maryland has posted consecutive victories over Winthrop and High Point.

Ekene Ibkewe scored 16 points and D.J. Strawberry and James Gist added 15 each for the Terrapins, who had a 19-2 edge in free throws in Friday's 81-63 victory over the Panthers.

Illinois has won 40 consecutive games against non-conference opponents and 51 straight outside the Big Ten at home. Both streaks are the the nation's longest active runs.

Warren Carter scored 17 points, Shaun Pruitt added 16 and Jamar Smith 14 off the bench for the Fighting Illini, who fought back from a nine-point second-half deficit in Saturday's 75-71 triumph over Bradley.

Coach Bruce Weber, who is 96-16 at Illinois, goes for his 200th career victory. He will attempt to guide the Illini in their bid to avenge a 76-63 loss to Maryland in their last meeting, in 2001.