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Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini victory over Wisconsin

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 27: Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the ball in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 27, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 27: Andre Curbelo #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks the ball in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 27, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Feb 27, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with his team in a timeout in the game with the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with his team in a timeout in the game with the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

2. I think we are staying around No. 5

After the loss on Tuesday against a struggling Michigan State program, I thought Illinois was going to take a tumble out of the top 10 for sure. I didn’t think there was a chance we would have a shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament either.

Well, this Illinois program proved me wrong. They rose up to the challenge of not only losing that game against the Spartans, but they also have their best player missing for the next few games. Despite those difficulties, the Illini have now won two-straight contests.

Beating Nebraska was a great sight because it was the first game without Ayo Dosunmu. But beating the Cornhuskers isn’t going to do much for the national standing. This was just more of a confidence booster for the Illini players.

On Saturday, though, a shorthanded Illinois team took down the No. 23 ranked Wisconsin Badgers on the road at the Kohl Center. That is a tough feat and one that will help the Illini stay in the top 10.

While Illinois managed to win their last two games, other teams around them have been falling. Ohio State is No. 4 and lost against Michigan State this week. They play Iowa on Sunday, so if they fall to the Hawkeyes, Illinois might hop the Buckeyes.

Alabama is No. 6 in the nation and was 1-1 this past week with a double-digit loss to Arkansas. I see them staying a spot behind Illinois. No. 7 Oklahoma lost twice this week. They aren’t moving up. No. 8 Villanova was 1-0 and plays on Sunday. They might jump the Illini. No. 9 Iowa was pounded by Michigan, so they aren’t moving up. No. 10 West Virginia was 2-0, so they might make a big jump and get ahead of Illinois. No. 11 Florida State lost on Saturday.

So, realistically, I see two teams who could possibly jump Illinois. Villanova, if they beat Butler on Sunday, will likely jump the Illini. West Virginia, because they were 2-0, have a shot at it too. That would bring Illinois back to No. 7. But, if Ohio State falls to Iowa on Sunday, that would drop them back behind Illinois. So, worst-case scenario, Illinois is No. 7 in the AP Top 25 on Monday, or best-case scenario, they are still No. 5. Those aren’t bad options.

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