Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Illini move up three spots in latest AP Top 25 rankings

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Alan Griffin (0) celebrates after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 5, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Alan Griffin (0) celebrates after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 5, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The new AP Top 25 poll is out and that means there is movement from the Illinois basketball team.

Last week, the AP included the Fighting Illini in their top 25 – checking in at No. 24 – for the first time since December 2014. Thanks to the Orange and Blue winning their lone game this past week, it looks like we are moving on up in the world.

After that win and a few others taking losses, Illinois is now ranked No. 21 in the nation in the latest AP poll which was released on Monday afternoon. This is a three-spot bump for the Illini, and I look for an even bigger bump if we can get through this week unscathed.

The AP Top 25 is filled with teams Illinois has played this season. The first team you get to is No. 11 Michigan State. The Illini failed to compete in this game, but there will be a rematch in Champaign on Tuesday, February 11.

Illinois has also played Maryland this season. The Illini faced the Terrapins on the road and almost squeaked out a victory. Maryland checks in at No. 17. Arizona and Rutgers are the final two teams in the top 25 that Illinois has played this year. The Illini couldn’t compete with the Wildcats, but they were able to beat Rutgers a little over a week ago.

So, we are ranked in the top 25, but we haven’t fared well against other ranked opponents. We currently sit at 1-3 against the other members of the top 25. Michigan dropping out hurts Illinois’ big win this season.

But let’s not get things mixed up. This Illinois basketball team has performed well, especially of late. There will be plenty of big win opportunities the rest of the way out. There is a four-game stretch of at No. 19 Iowa, home against No. 17 Maryland, home against No. 11 Michigan State and at No. 24 Rutgers starting on February 2. This will be a huge run of games for the Illini.

Next. 3 ways the Illini can beat the Purdue Boilermakers. dark

Illinois was able to maintain their top 25 ranking for a week and even moved up three spots. Hopefully, we can stay strong on the road against Purdue and Michigan this week.

Home/Illinois Basketball