Bruce Weber and Tom Izzo were assistant coaches in the Big Ten when they met, a simpler time as Weber remembers.

These days they go head to head in the Big Ten, usually twice a year. But for one season there will be only one meeting, when Izzo and No. 9 Michigan State visit Illinois at 6 tonight.

For two days, the coaches will probably avoid contact and then reconvene come Wednesday.

"Our relationship goes way back," Weber said. "I don't think it was so competitive at that time, not life and death. You could enjoy each other and talk to each other and not fear every day you were going to lose your job. It was different."

That might or might not have been a reference to the escalating heat Weber is feeling in Champaign as the Illini (15-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten) are trying to end a three-game losing streak.

When Weber first arrived in the conference, Illinois routinely finished ahead of the Spartans, doing so his first four seasons. But the Illini have finished tied or behind Michigan State (17-4, 6-2) for four consecutive seasons and are headed in the same direction barring a quick reversal.

Yet, Izzo continues to throw support to Weber.

"Bruce is a very good friend of mine, and he really has done a great job," he said. "I think he's as good a coach as there is in the country. … Talk about a guy that does it the right way and works his tail off. I'm prejudiced because he's a friend, but Illinois should be happy to have him."

That's all good and well, but Weber would prefer a couple of wins.

He thought he had pulled his team out of its funk Saturday when the Illini delivered a strong effort at Minnesota. But it all unraveled in the closing seconds of regulation when Meyers Leonard committed a foul that gave the Gophers a three-point play to force overtime.

"The guys did what they had to do to win," Weber said. "We just didn't win the game."

What happens in the next two weeks could determine whether the Illini remain a solid contender for an NCAA Tournament berth. Weber is using some Big Ten teams as motivation.

Wisconsin, he has noted to his team, suffered three consecutive losses before starting a five-game winning streak. The Badgers are now ranked No. 19. Minnesota started the Big Ten with four losses and has won four of its last five. And Indiana has rebounded from a three-game league losing streak.

"Three teams were in a similar situation," Weber said. "All three responded and came back and got some wins. We have to see what we're about, if we can meet the challenge. It's not going to be easy."