Illinois Basketball: Illini bracketology and where we stand

The Ilinois basketball team has played efficient ball this season, ranking No. 12 in the nation and sitting second-place in the Big Ten.

But have the Illini done enough to earn a favorable seed in the NCAA tournament?

With just three weeks until Selection Sunday, I break down where the Orange and Blue are seeded by various college basketball experts.

Joe Lunardi (ESPN) Bracketology: 02/18/2022

Lunardi has the Illini as a No. 4 seed in his latest projection. In this scenario, the Orange and Blue would be facing a scrappy team who took them down to the wire just last season.

The Ohio Bobcats.

Although Jason Preston — the man who gave the Illini all the trouble in the world with a 31-point performance — is gone, the Bobcats absolutely should not be looked past.

Ohio has a season record of 22-5.  Two of those five losses came against Kentucky and LSU — two extremely talented SEC powerhouses.

The Bobcats are running the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with a conference record of 13-3.

With a win, the Illini would advance to face the winner of No. 5 Houston and No. 12 North Texas.

Jerry Palm (CBS) Bracketology: 02/17/2022

Similar to Lunardi’s projection, Palm also has the Illini as a No. 4 seed. In this bracket, the Orange and Blue would see a not-so-familiar face.

The Wagner Seahawks.

The Seahawks (19-3) lead the Northeast Conference at 15-1. Their most impressive win up to this point in the season is their 58-44 rout of VCU on November 13. Other than that, the Seahawks haven’t played good ball against any significant opponents.

If the Illini are able to avoid the upset, they would play the winner of No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Memphis/Oregon.

Andy Katz (NCAA) Bracketology: 02/20/2022

Katz, a Big Ten expert, thinks the most highly of the Orange and Blue — highlighting them as an automatic qualifier in his projection.

In other words, Katz thinks the Illini will run the Big Ten Tournament which begins on March 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In his bracket, the insider has Illinois as a No. 3 seed matched up against Texas State. With a win, the Illini would see either No. 6 Arkansas or No. 11 Oklahoma. Either one of those teams would make for a tough second-round opponent, but not as tough as their potential Sweet 16 matchup vs. Kansas, though.

The Illini have just four more conference games — along with the Big Ten Tournament — to prove they are worth more than a three or four seed. It all begins when the Illini hosts No. 18 Ohio State on Thursday at 8 p.m. CT.