Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss vs Purdue

5. This loss makes it harder, but the Big Ten regular season is still in reach

I know many of you are waking up and feeling down about the loss to Purdue on Tuesday night. While we don’t control our own destiny anymore, there should still be the hope we win the Big Ten regular-season title.

Even with the loss to the Boilermakers, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Purdue are tied for the lead in the Big Ten. That means it is anyone’s game down the stretch, and if we can start playing well, this title could easily be ours.

Out of the final seven games of the season, Illinois plays four home contests. The three road games include No. 17 Michigan State, Rutgers, and Michigan. So, that isn’t the toughest schedule in the world.

Illinois only plays two ranked teams down the stretch as well. As previously mentioned, the Spartans will be tough, but the Illini also welcome in No. 16 Ohio State. Both are winnable games.

But this is not just about winning games anymore. Illinois is going to need Purdue to lose as well.

The Boilermakers don’t have too tough of a schedule, but they could have some roadblocks. Purdue heads on the road Thursday night against Michigan. That would be the Boilermaker’s fourth game in nine days. This is a chance for them to drop a game.

Purdue also travels to No. 17 Michigan State and follows that up with a game at No. 14 Wisconsin. Those two games are pivotal down the stretch.

And then you look at Wisconsin’s schedule. They have one ranked team, which is No. 3 Purdue. But they also head on the road to take on Indiana and Rutgers, both of whom can be tough to beat at their home. I think there could be some roadblocks for the Badgers.

What I am saying is don’t give up hope. We were robbed of the Big Ten regular-season title last season, but we have it in our grasp this year. Illinois can still take this regular-season honor home despite having a bad game against Purdue.