*10* Game Of The Week on Notre Dame.

The Illinois Fighting Illini have played their first two home-games of the season at Springfield, Ill while the State Farm Center has been renovated. The on-campus arena is now all set, but I think they'll inaugurate their new hunting ground with a loss when hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Wednesday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Bounce Back Time For The Irish - Notre Dame has lost two of its last three, but its 6-1 ATS in its last seven against Big Ten competition and 4-1 ATS in its last five on the road.

2. Mike Thorne Jr.'s Injury - The Fighting Illini center has averaged 13.4 ppg so far this season but suffered a torn meniscus in Saturday's 84-73 loss to Iowa State. Illinois might have to revise its whole gameplan now. "When you're running some of the stuff we're running and playing the way we are, the 6-11, 280-pound dude kind of is an important cog in the wheel," Illinois coach John Groce told reporters.

3. X-Factor - The Fighting Irish were 7-of-14 from 3-point range in Sunday's narrow 74-73 loss to Alabama.

Selection: This is a play on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10*)