2. NIT Championship is the goal
Well, in a tweet the other day, I said if Illinois knocks off Ohio State I would start the NCAA tournament is a possibility article. Of course, that didn’t go over well with some of you but don’t worry, we lost the game so I have more realistic expectations now.
I think a legit goal for this Illinois basketball team is to not only make the NIT but to win the entire dang thing.
Illinois currently sits with a 12-12 record overall and they are 2-9 in the Big Ten. If the Illini finish with a .500 or better record, they are likely to make the NIT. The next four games are all winnable. They have home contests against Wisconsin, Penn State and Nebraska, and then they head to Indiana for a rematch against the Hoosiers.
I honestly believe they can win all four of these but it is a matter of will they win these games. I think they will probably drop their game at Indiana but will win the homes games bringing their record to 15-13 overall and 5-10 in the Big Ten.
The Illini then most likely will drop the games against No. 5 Michigan State and No. 3 Purdue, and then they will finish with a win at Rutgers. This makes Illinois 16-15 overall and 6-12 in the Big Ten. I think this would get the Illini in the bottom of the NIT.
Like Bill Parcells says, “you are what your record says you are.” These couldn’t be truer words. But, Illinois could be a dangerous team in the NIT that no one pays much attention to. I could see them making a run and what better way to end the season than an NIT title.