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Illinois Basketball: Best path for the Illini to go deep in Big Ten Tournament

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood talks with Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood talks with Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team has turned the season around and given hope to fans even if they don’t make the postseason this year.

Illinois’ start to the 2018-2019 campaign was just draining to many fans. For the second-straight season under Brad Underwood, the Illini seemed to be driving straight into a dark hole. They were 5-14 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten at one time this season. But, in the last six games, something has changed with this program. Illinois has rattled off four-straight wins and five out of their last six. This is a different team now.

With this current surge, the Illini now sit at 10-15 overall and 6-8 in Big Ten play. This has Illinois as the No. 8 seed as of right now. They would win the tiebreaker, which would end up coming down to the best record against Michigan State. Illinois is 1-0 and Ohio State is 0-2 this season.

So, if the Big Ten Tournament started today, Illinois would be the No. 8 seed going up against No. 9 seed Ohio State. They would have a first-round bye, which is a great thing as well. But, honestly, I don’t want to be in the 8-9 game. The next game would be against the No. 1 seed, likely Michigan, and I don’t want any part of the Wolverines. How high can we go, though?

The highest we realistically can get is the No. 7 seed. Minnesota is only a half-game ahead of us right now. As of right now, I believe we own the tiebreaker over them as well. If we could get to the No. 7 seed, that would project the first round matchup to be against Rutgers. I would much rather face the Scarlet Knights than the Buckeyes every day of the week. This would also change the Elite 8 matchup as well.

If Illinois was able to climb up to the No. 7 seed, the second round matchup would be against Michigan State, most likely. The Illini are 1-0 against the Spartans this season. This would be a better matchup than against the No. 1 seed Michigan.

Next. 5 observations from the Illini win over Ohio State. dark

Illinois just has to keep winning games to end the season. We can’t drop past the No. 10 seed or we will be playing in the first round. My goal is to reach the No. 7 seed so we can have an easier road to the title game. Let’s shock the world.

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