Illinois probably will be without three players tonight for its first exhibition game of the season, against Wayne (Neb.) State in Champaign, Ill.

Senior Sam Maniscalco, who transferred from Bradley to play point guard, will sit out to rest the ankle injury he has been rehabilitating since last season. Coach Bruce Weber said Maniscalco has pushed too hard since practice started and needs the rest.

Guard Joseph Bertrand is questionable because of a hip pointer that has kept him out of practice for several days. And freshman Devin Langford is sidelined four to six weeks because of a broken finger that required surgery last week.

Weber said he has had to cut back practices because they have been so physical and competitive.

"We won't make it through the season if we continue to have the little injuries because they're on the floor all the time," he said.

The same day Langford broke the finger, freshman point guard Tracy Abrams had a tooth knocked loose and junior Tyler Griffey needed stitches. Abrams and Brandon Paul will handle the point-guard duties tonight.