Illinois breezed by Maryland-Eastern Shore 85-43 Thursday, but sophomore guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams were held back by a stiff force.

Brown and Williams both had collisions with Maryland-Eastern Shore junior forward Jareem Dowling, and Williams' status is uncertain for Saturday's game with Memphis (8 p.m. ESPN2) after being taken to Carle Hospital.

"I saw (Williams) turn and sprint and he ran right into a brick wall," Brown said.

Williams collided with Dowling early into the second half when Dowling attempted to set a pick on Williams. He lay on the floor while trainers looked at him. Williams was visibly shaken and had to be helped off the court. X-Rays indicated that Williams broke his jaw and will have outpatient surgery today.

In the first half, Brown was also taken out by a Dowling pick. After the collision, Brown said his vision was blurred and could not see. All he remembers from the first half after the collision is one turnover and the last second shot he missed to close out the first half.

Before the game, Hawk players came up to Illini players and started talking trash. It was a precursor to the physical play of the entire game.

"I was surprised they had the audacity to (talk trash) on our court," Illinois freshman Brian Randle said.

With or without Williams, the Illini (5-2) will face a Memphis (4-1) team riding a four game winning streak, highlighted by a Dec. 6 victory over Mississippi 73-62. Memphis has taken the last week off from games for finals.

Memphis' winning streak has been fueled by the three point shot. The Tigers have shot 43 percent from the three point arc this season and averages a Conference USA best 10.6 three pointers a game.

Offensively, the Tigers get the entire team involved, as they have four players averaging 12 points a game or more. Memphis has run a small lineup this year.

Weber describes the Tiger offense as using "three and a half guards". Senior point guard Antonio Burks leads Conference USA with 7.2 assists and scores 14.4 points a game. Freshman forward Sean Banks has taken a little time adjusting to the college game (15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds).

Weber started junior guard Luther Head instead of junior center Nick Smith Thursday in preparation for Memphis' smaller lineup . Weber said he started Head in order to run the lineup he may use extensively against Memphis and to help Head gain confidence.

Head should be confident when the Illini look to a avenge last year's 77-74 loss to Memphis after scoring 16 points against the Hawks.