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GAME NOTES: Quarterfinal action in the Big Ten Tournament will take place this afternoon when the fifth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini take on the fourth- seeded Wisconsin Badgers at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Illini earned 18 victories this season, but finished with a mediocre 10-8 mark in conference. Illinois, which last won this tournament in 2005, stumbled toward the end of the season, losing five of its last six games, including three in a row.

As for the Badgers, the closed out the regular season with seven wins in their final nine games, including four straight. Wisconsin, which is currently ranked 13th in the nation, has won this tournament twice, the most recent crown coming in 2008.

The Illini and Badgers closed out the regular season against each other, and that matchup was claimed by Wisconsin, 72-57. However, earlier in the season the Illini defeated the Badgers and overall, Illinois holds a 108-75 edge over Wisconsin in the all-time series.

The Fighting Illini have not been overwhelming at the offensive end this season, but the team has done enough to earn its share of victories. Illinois opens this tournament averaging 70.5 ppg behind a 44.9 percent shooting effort. Demetri McCamey leads the team with 14.9 ppg, and he is also dishing out 6.8 apg. Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis have been a dangerous duo in the frontcourt, as Tisdale is posting 11.6 ppg and 6.1 rpg, and Davis nets 10.3 ppg to go along with a team-best 8.8 rpg. D.J. Richardson chips in 10.3 ppg as well for Illinois, which is holding teams to just 66.5 ppg on 39.9 percent field goal efficiency.

Wisconsin's success this season can be attributed to its tenacious defensive play, as the Badgers are yielding just 56.1 ppg. Opponents are shooting a mere 41.5 percent from the floor, and the Badgers are holding them to a mere 32.7 percent effort from long range. At the other end of the floor, UW is being paced by Trevon Hughes with his 15.4 ppg, and he had handed out 81 assists and averages 4.7 rpg to go with 49 steals. Jason Bohannon contributes 12.0 ppg, while Jordan Taylor posts 10.2 ppg and dish out a team-best 109 assists. As a whole however, the Badgers are only producing 67.9 ppg, despite shooting a respectable 45.1 percent from the field.

The Badgers have relied on their defensive play, and they should be able to limit the Illini this afternoon, en route to a win and a trip to the Big Ten semifinals.