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Illinois Basketball: Breaking down the Illini Sunday scenarios

By Rees Woodcock

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 27: head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 27, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 27: head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 27, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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This is the most meaningful Sunday the Illinois basketball team has had in a long time.

If Wisconsin would have lost on Saturday, it would be an even more meaningful Sunday for the Orange and Blue. But it is still pretty big considering we are eyeing that coveted double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

Here are the scenarios for the Illini on Sunday.

Illinois wins

This scenario automatically clinches the double-bye for the Illini. We are in the No. 4 spot right now, one game ahead of Ohio State and Iowa who both play today. So, if Illinois wins, we get to start Friday instead of Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament.

Could we move up in the standings? The answer to that question is no. Maryland and Michigan State are both a game ahead and even if they lose, they still have the tie-breaker over us in the standings. So, we are locked in at the No. 4 spot if we win.

Illinois loses – Michigan State loses

If Illinois falls to Iowa, this would be a devastating result. It would give the Hawkeyes the win, which would move them to the No. 4 spot over the Illini. Ohio State then could win over Michigan State. That means the Buckeyes would also jump us in the standings.

So, if the Illini fall to Iowa, we would lose out on the double-bye for sure. But we could also drop down to the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. That means we would play the winner of No. 11 Indiana vs No. 14 Nebraska. I assume the Hoosiers would come away with that win. That is a tough second-round matchup for the Illini.

Illinois loses – Ohio State loses

There is also a scenario where Illinois only drops down to the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. With a loss to Iowa, we would drop out of the No. 4 spot, which would be incredibly depressing. But we don’t have to drop down to the No. 6 seed. We would need Michigan State to beat Ohio State.

If the Illini fall to Iowa and then Ohio State loses, Illinois would then be the No. 5 seed. We would await the winner of No. 13 Northwestern vs No. 12 Minnesota game. I like this second-round matchup much better than, potentially, Indiana.

Next. 3 ways the Illini can take down Iowa. dark

I think it is simple. Let’s just win the damn game. If we beat Iowa, nothing else matters. This is a big game for the Orange and Blue. It will not only help our seeding in the Big Ten Tournament, but it will also go a long way in helping our seeding in the NCAA tournament.

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