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Illinois Basketball: 1-0 week has Illini climbing in latest AP Top 25

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and guard Trent Frazier (1) enter the court prior top the first half before a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) and guard Trent Frazier (1) enter the court prior top the first half before a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The weekly AP Top 25 poll has dropped, and the Illinois basketball program is on the move again.

Heading into this past week, the Illini sat at No. 15 in the nation, starting the season 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. With only one game on the slate, home against Purdue, Illinois’ road didn’t look too tough.

After blowing a double-digit lead and seeing Purdue go on a 19-0 run, the Illini climbed back out of the hole and ended up emerging victorious, 66-58. This lone win of the week enabled the Orange and Blue to climb three spots, up to No. 12, in the latest AP Top 25.

Three Big Ten teams are still ahead of the Illini, though. Iowa moved up five spots to take over the No. 5 spot in the national rankings. They had a good week, going 2-0 with wins over No. 19 Northwestern and No. 14 Rutgers.

Wisconsin is still holding strong at No. 8 after a two-spot drop in the rankings. The reason for the drop in the rankings was due to the Badgers going 1-1 this past week. After a tough loss at home to Maryland, Wisconsin bounced back with a victory over No. 21 Minnesota.

The final team ahead of Illinois in the rankings is Michigan. The Wolverines climbed six spots to No. 10, which means they jumped the Illini in the rankings. Michigan had a solid week by taking down Maryland and then No. 19 Northwestern.

Rounding out the top 25 for the Big Ten includes No. 15 Rutgers, No. 16 Minnesota and Michigan State still stays in the top 25 at No. 23.

The week ahead for Illinois basketball

Illinois has two games before the new AP Top 25 poll is released. Northwestern is next up for the Illini, as Coach Brad Underwood and Company head to Evanston to take on the Wildcats.

Northwestern was the darling of the college basketball world before last week, but they have since dropped two games in a row, both to ranked opponents. The Wildcats are now outside of the top 25. Despite the rough patch for Northwestern, this should be a tough matchup for the Illini on Thursday, January 7.

Illinois then takes on Maryland at the State Farm Center on Sunday, January 10. The Terrapins have struggled at times this season but are still dangerous. They just beat a top 10 Wisconsin team on the road a week ago. The Illini can’t sleep on Maryland.

dark. Next. NCAA NET rankings have Illini near top

If the Illini can start making some free throws, then we should have an easier time winning games. For optic purposes, a 2-0 record this week is a must.

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