IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa fans have responded to the challenge of turning Carver-Hawkeye Arena into a sea of white on Saturday.

A near-sellout crowd is expected for today's White Out game against Illinois. Fans are being ecnouraged to purchase and wear the white Kenny Arnold T-shirt with all the proceeds going to help Arnold, a former Iowa guard who has struggled with health issues since having a brain tumor removed in 1985.

Hundreds of fans were in line more than an hour before the 1:06 p.m. tip-off to get autographs from former Iowa players, including star point guard Ronnie Lester, Vince Brookins and Mike Henry. They were all members of Iowa's 1980 Final Four team, along with Arnold.

The current Iowa players also are wearing Arnold's long-sleeve T-shirt during pre-game warm-ups.

As for Arnold, he will watch today's game from his nursing home in his hometown of Chicago. He is well aware of the circumstances and overwhelmed by all the love and support.

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