Sports Editor Matt Daniels’ Daily Pitch: January 8, 2025 | game
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Sports editor Matt Daniels takes a look at what’s happening in the area:
Will Riley and the Illini have their first Big Ten home game since Wisconsin played in Champaign on Dec. 10 when Penn State visits State Farm Center tonight.
Three reasons why we love sports today
1. Illinois men’s basketball continues its busy schedule on Wednesday night when Penn State visits State Farm Center in ChampaignThe 13th-ranked Illini will try to reach a five-game winning streak for the ninth time in Brad Underwood’s eight seasons leading the program.
2. High school wrestling takes on extra meaning the next two nightsFirst up is the Twin Cities Meet, featuring Centennial, Champaign Central, St. Thomas More and Urbana, which begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Centennial to determine who has CU bragging rights.
3. Then, Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Mary Miller Gym on the Danville Area Community College campusThe Vermilion Valley Conference Tournament takes place.
Illinois fans at the women’s basketball game against Oregon State on November 22 at State Farm Center in Champaign
Numbers Game: 4,888
The 15,544-seat State Farm Center in Champaign has an average attendance of 10 for the Illinois women’s basketball team’s home games so far this season. The Illini (11-4, 1-3 Big Ten) will try to end a two-game losing streak against No. 23 Iowa (12-3, 2-2) on Thursday at State Farm Center at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes have played in front of the nation’s best 28 consecutive home sellouts at the 14,998-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Illinois wide receiver Zachary Franklin and the rest of the Illini couldn’t slow down Penn State in late September. Now, the Nittany Lions are one win away from the national championship game.
crowd control
Three events I’m paying attention to
1. Penn State at Illinois men’s basketballThe first of two Big Ten home games this week, the Illini tip off at State Farm Center on Wednesday night at 8 p.m., before Southern Cal visits Champaign on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
2. Notre Dame vs. Penn State FootballIllinois lost to Penn State on September 28 in a 21–7 loss. Now, the Nittany Lions (13-2) will take on the Irish (13-1) for a spot in the Orange Bowl on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. National title game.
3. Ohio State vs. Texas FootballOhio State has been in Champaign for the first time in nine months since 2015. First up is Friday night’s Cotton Bowl between the Buckeyes (12-2) and the Longhorns (13-2).
From left, Matt Lescis, his daughters Sydney, Sophie and Mattison.
coach’s corner
Three questions for Champaign Central football coach Matt Lescis:
1. My favorite sports team is… Chicago Bears.
2. The three coaches I would like to have dinner with are… Phil Jackson, Bill Belichick and James Franklin.
3. My biggest pet peeve is… Lateness I don’t like being late or people being late when meeting me.