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Illinois Basketball: 5 storylines for the Illini in the 2022 NCAA tournament

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 21, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks onto the court during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks onto the court during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball
Feb 27, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois basketball has made the NCAA tournament as a No. 4 seed and will be tipping off on Friday.

It is exciting to see the Illini consistently making the postseason. I am still not used to the feeling of how high can we be seeded and not are we going to make the NCAA tournament. This is the same feeling I had in the 2000s when Illinois was going through their run of dominance.

The first game of the tournament is against No. 13 Chattanooga. This will be an interesting game, and there could be quite a few storylines for the Illini this postseason.

Here are five storylines for the Illinois basketball team in the 2022 NCAA tournament.

1. Avoiding the #13 over #4 upset

As soon as Illinois’ bracket was revealed on Sunday night, CBS host Seth Davis immediately mentioned something to the effect that Chattanooga will upset the Illini.

If that comes true, that would be super depressing. In the 2021 NCAA tournament, we did see some upsets that included the No. 13 seed over the No. 4 seed, though. No. 13 Ohio took down No. 4 Virginia in the first round, 62-58. No. 13 North Texas took down No. 4 Purdue 78-69. And the other two No. 4 vs No. 13 matchups were both within 10 points.

Thankfully, Illinois has a history of snagging the No. 4 seed and making it out of the first round.

The Illini were a No. 4 seed in the 2006 NCAA tournament and got by No. 13 Air Force, 78-69. In 2003, Illinois took down Western Kentucky 65-60. In 2002, the Illini beat down San Diego State, 93-64. In 2000, Illinois beat Penn, 68-58. In 1986, Illinois swept through Fairfield, 75-51. And in 1981, Illinois beat No. 5 Wyoming, 67-65.

Stream Illinois in the NCAA Tournament with a free trial of Sling TV.

I added the 1981 NCAA tournament in there because, back then, the tournament was 48 teams and Illinois earned the first-round bye. So, the Illini automatically made the Round of 32 and played Wyoming in their first game.

For the 2022 NCAA tournament, I think Illinois getting upset will be a trendy pick. Hopefully, the Illini will show that we have national title caliber talent on the team.

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