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Illinois Basketball: Illini officially on the NCAA Tournament bubble

By Zachary Leslie

Feb 26, 2017; Lincoln, NE, USA; A referee talks to players during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Illinois won 73-57. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Lincoln, NE, USA; A referee talks to players during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Illinois won 73-57. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yes, you read the title right. The Illinois basketball team has positioned themselves among the bubble teams with two games left of regular season play.

After going 14-12 and getting blown out at home by Penn State, Illinois has now won three in a row. Sitting at 17-12 with games against Michigan State (home) and Rutgers (away) remaining, the Illini could finish the regular season at 19-12.

This team also has some pretty decent wins to give them a solid resume. They swept Northwestern, beat VCU by almost 20, and beat Michigan by almost 20. A week ago I would have told you there was no shot at getting in, but if Illinois can win these next two, they should be at least in the conversation.

Now, we have seen a recent Illini team get 19 wins and still not make it into the tournament (2013-2014). So, Illinois has to win at least two Big Ten Tournament games for me to really feel comfortable. That would position them at 21-12, and that record is not too shabby.

I know I am asking this team to pretty much do the unthinkable. They have won three straight, but asking them to win four more almost seems impossible considering they just won back-to-back Big Ten games for the first time since 2015. This team is hot, though, and if they enter the tournament on a five-game win streak, they have a chance to be dangerous in the tournament.

Illinois is playing some great basketball at the moment and they have to continue to do so. In my predictions for conference play, I had the Illini needing to finish 20-11. If they can reach 19-12, which seemed impossible a few days ago, that is only one win below my prediction. This means that they need to pick up a couple of Big Ten Tournament wins to feel safe on Selection Sunday.

Of course, one loss against Michigan State or Rutgers basically guarantees that Illinois will have to win at least three games in the Big Ten Tournament (semifinals). So here is to hoping that the Fighting Illini win these next two games, and let’s hope they come into the Big Ten Tournament with 19 wins.

Next: Illini win over Nebraska did more than keep postseason alive

Illinois will face Michigan State on Wednesday 3/1/17 (BTN).

Illinois will face Rutgers on Saturday 3/4/17 (BTN).

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