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Illinois Basketball: Illini a No. 1 seed in latest ESPN Bracketology

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) guard Jacob Grandison (3) forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and guard Andre Curbelo (5) react in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) guard Jacob Grandison (3) forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and guard Andre Curbelo (5) react in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It took the Illinois basketball team beating No. 2 Michigan, but they have finally arrived at a No. 1 seed in the most updated ESPN Bracketology.

On Tuesday night, the Illini managed to go into Ann Arbor and come away with a 23-point victory over the Michigan Wolverines. What was touted as a great matchup ended up being a blowout victory for the Orange and Blue.

This was Illinois’ third win in a row, and it ultimately enabled Joe Lunardi of ESPN to move the Illini up to the No. 1 seed in his updated Bracketology. This is huge news considering how long it has been since Illinois has been this relevant in the college game.

I mean, the last time the Illini made the NCAA tournament was 2012-13 when they advanced to the second round as a No. 7 seed. The last time we were able to advance out of the second round in the NCAA tournament was 2004-05 when the team went to the national title and was a bad James Augustine game away from winning it all.

Like, there is an entire generation of Illinois basketball fans who haven’t been able to experience the success this program is having right now. If you are 20 years old or younger, you probably don’t have memories of those great Illini teams in the early-to-mid 2000s. I am so happy for those fans today.

How can Illinois stay as the No. 1 seed?

Win every game, right? Obviously, but is that realistic? If you break it down, Illinois has a maximum of four games left before Selection Sunday.

Illinois takes on No. 7 Ohio State this Saturday. In an article I typed on Monday, I said Illinois needed to split these final two games and then get to the Big Ten title game to get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Illini have, at least, split these final two games against top-seven opponents. A win on Saturday against the Buckeyes locks up a No. 1 seed in my opinion. This would give us another top 10 victory and, more importantly, the NET Rankings would be through the roof.

Illinois is currently No. 4 in the NET Ranking, just behind Gonzaga, Baylor and Michigan. Illinois has played 14 Quad 1 games, which is four more than the next closest in the Wolverines. The Illini also has the most Quad 1 wins with nine this season. Oklahoma State and Michigan are tied for second with eight wins.

Next. 4 observations from the Illini win over Michigan. dark

So, I don’t think Illinois needs to win the game against Ohio State on Saturday to clinch a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But, if they do win the game, there is no question they are one of four top seeds entering the postseason. This team is special.

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