Writing Illini
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Illinois Basketball: Illini players finishing season with heart

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 21, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) box out Northwestern Wildcats forward Gavin Skelly (44) during the second half at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Northwestern 66 to 50. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Michael Finke (43) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) box out Northwestern Wildcats forward Gavin Skelly (44) during the second half at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Northwestern 66 to 50. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just four days ago I was thrilled that the Illinois basketball team not only beat the Iowa Hawkeyes but they swept them this season. For this Illini program right now, a sweep is something to cherish.

I didn’t think another sweep would happen so quickly, but last night the Illini pulled off another surprise by defeating Northwestern for the second time this season as well. They are now 16-12 overall and 6-9 in the Big Ten.

Illinois fans are happy right now and they should be. We just won two games in a row and three out of the last four. Let me remind you, the last time the Illini won back-to-back Big Ten regular season games Rayvonte Rice led the team in scoring and Nnanna Egwu led the team in rebounds.

There is a reason to be excited if you love this team. I am pumped that we aren’t rolling over and dying as we send Malcolm Hill off into the sunset. He deserved better than the 14-12 record we had going into these last two contests.

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Now the Illini are looking at a three game schedule that includes two road games, Nebraska and Rutgers, and a home game against Michigan State. If they can just win these three games and go into the Big Ten Tournament and win the first round I think there is a decent shot at making the NCAA Tournament.

This sounds like a hefty feat because it is. Illinois will need to go on a five-game winning streak in the Big Ten and win a Big Ten Tournament game, and winning on a consistent basis hasn’t exactly been a specialty under John Groce.

You have to go all the way back to Groce’s first season at the helm of the Illini to find the last five game winning streak in the Big Ten. This streak was started with the amazing Tyler Griffey layup to beat No. 1 Indiana. I still tear up thinking about that moment; watching in my apartment and screaming so loud the neighbors were worried. Those were the days.

Anyways, back to my point. The big win over the Wildcats last night didn’t put the Illini into the postseason but it did keep them alive. There is a big task ahead of winning the next three and one in the Big Ten Tournament. If they can do that they get in.

Next: Fans only expecting 2 wins to finish season

I am happy for these players to be able to dig down deep and find a sense of pride in their play. They are playing with heart despite who the head coach is. I can’t wait to see how they finish this season.

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