The scoreboard operator might be the busiest man in Champaign, Ill., on Tuesday night.That’s because No. 10 Texas Tech is visiting No. 17 Illinois in a battle of ranked teams more than familiar with triple-digits.The Red Raiders (2-0) have scored 98 points in each of their home wins over Lindenwood and Sam Houston State, while the Fighting Illini (2-0) have recorded 113 points in blowout victories over Jackson State and Florida Gulf Coast.Making Illinois even more enticing in the early going has been the versatility it has displayed. After sinking 17 3-pointers on Nov. 3 against the Tigers, it attacked the rim consistently Friday night in blowing out the Eagles.Kylan Boswell scored a career-high 31 points on just 13 shot attempts, largely because he beat a path to the foul line. He made 11 of his 13 foul shots for the Illini, who went 30 of 34 from the charity stripe.Boswell also grabbed 10 rebounds, another early theme for this team.After swamping Jackson State 61-19 on the glass, Illinois earned a 51-30 advantage against Florida Gulf Coast.”It’s how you win games, in my opinion, when that ball is not going in as frequently as it did tonight,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said.Returning forward Ben Humrichous, who’s averaging 15 points and five rebounds through two games, said the team will continue to stress rebounding in order to supplement its abundant offensive skill.”Obviously, we are skilled. Obviously, we can shoot across the board,” Humrichous said. “That is something that we are able to do great things with. But it will always come down to rebounding — both sides of the basketball.”
