GAME NOTES: The Oregon Ducks and Illinois Fighting Illini hook up at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday in a non-conference clash.

Both of Illinois' losses in its 7-2 start have come against ranked opponents, including a 73-59 setback against No. 7 Villanova at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The contest was tied, 50-50, before Villanova ended the game on a 23-9 run over the final eight-plus minutes.

Malcolm Hill dropped in a career-high 20 points, while Rayvonte Rice, Illinois' leading scorer, struggled from the field and finished with 10 on 4- of-13 shooting.

Rice was hitting at a 53.0 percent clip coming into the game and saw his average dip to 16.6 ppg. Hill raised his to 14.6 ppg on 54.8 percent shooting.

Illinois gets balanced scoring efforts from its role players while relying on its stout defense. Opponents are averaging just 63.9 ppg and are hitting on just 29.9 percent of their 3-point opportunities.

A three-game homestand for Oregon ended on a sour note last Sunday as the Ducks dropped a 79-73 decision to Ole Miss to fall to 5-3 on the season. Four of the Ducks' five starters scored in double figures, but the bench was outscored by a massive 35-5 margin.

Dillon Brooks, who has scored at least 10 points in all eight games this season, netted a team-high 21 points, while Joseph Young and Elgin Cook donated 17 and 15 points, respectively, for Oregon.

Oregon is known for its high-octane offensive attack. The squad shoots nearly 45 percent from the field and knocks down more than eight 3-pointers per game for 80.2 ppg, and it boasts an impressive scoring defense (68.4 ppg) and rebounding margin (+8.3) as well. Young (20.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.9 apg) is one of the nation's top scorers and he's nearly automatic at the free-throw line (39- of-41). Brooks (14.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Cook (12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Dwayne Benjamin and Jordan Bell make up one of the best forward rotations in the country.

The Illini usually fare well at the United Center, going 35-12 in their home away from home. They faced Oregon there 10 years ago and won by 17 points and have taken four of the five all-time meetings. Of course, the one loss came last season in Portland, so this one is probably a toss-up.