Illinois Basketball: Looking ahead to March Madness and what remains for the Illini

The Illinois basketball team has just two games remaining on its regular season schedule, so what lies ahead for the Orange and Blue?

After defeating Michigan on Sunday, the No. 15 Illini (20-8, 13-5 B1G) will host Penn State on Thursday and then cap off the conference slate against No. 25 Iowa on Sunday.

What does the Big Ten Tournament look like for the Illinois basketball team?

If the season were to end today, the Illini would finish as the conference’s third seed.  This would earn them the double-bye since they would be a top-four seed.

In this scenario, Illinois would take on the winner of No. 6 Michigan State and No. 11 Northwestern/No. 14 Nebraska on Friday, March 11.

If victorious, the Orange and Blue would likely advance to take on No. 2 Purdue, who swept the Illini 2-0 this season.

The Illini still have a chance to catch up and secure a top-two seed, however. No. 1 Wisconsin still has to host No. 2 Purdue and No. 14 Nebraska.

After traveling to Wisconsin, No. 2 Purdue hosts No. 9 Indiana.

The Big Ten Tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, March 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Where do the latest Bracketology projections have the Illinois basketball team?

In ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi’s February 25 projection, he has the Illini as a No. 4 seed taking on No. 13 Chattanooga. They would take on the winner of No. 5 Texas and No. 12 South Dakota State in the Round of 32 if successful.

CBS Sports analyst Jerry Palm doesn’t view the Illini as highly, projecting them as a No. 5 seed in his February 27 projection. In this bracket, the Orange and Blue are matched up against No. 12 BYU. If victorious, they would take on the winner of No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 13 Towson.

A strong end to the regular season, along with a deep push in the Big Ten Tournament, would drastically boost the Illini’s NCAA tournament resumé. The opportunity begins this Thursday at the State Farm Center.