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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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Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Loyola Ramblers center Cameron Krutwig (25) dribbles while defended by Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Loyola Ramblers center Cameron Krutwig (25) dribbles while defended by Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Loyola-Chicago is lurking in the South bracket

I would say Illinois’ side of the bracket is decently tough. Arizona is a really good No. 1 seed. They will be tough to take down. Houston is a stout No. 5 seed. Tennessee can beat anyone in the country, and they are a No. 3 seed.

But let’s hypothetically say Illinois gets to the Elite 8. Even with a great run like that, there is still a chance we have to run into a team that I, arguably, dread the most in the NCAA tournament.

If you look down a few rows from the Illinois slot, you will see another team from the state of Illinois. The NCAA tournament selection committee thought it would be funny if Loyola Chicago joined the fun in Illinois’ bracket. They are the No. 10 seed in the South region. There is a chance, albeit small, for Illinois to face Loyola Chicago in the Elite 8.

Just seeing the Ramblers lurking in our region of the bracket gives me the cold sweats. Flashbacks of disappointing play in the second round of the 2021 NCAA tournament.

Loyola Chicago beat Illinois by 13 points in the NCAA tournament last season. Trent Frazier, Jacob Grandison, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, and Da’Monte Williams were a combined 3-of-16 from the field for nine points. Kofi Cockburn tried to carry the team, but he was getting beat by a pile of goo from Loyola Chicago that channeled his inner Nikola Jokic.

It is a game that will haunt me until Illinois can actually get past the Round of 32. Until then, every time I see Loyola Chicago, I will flinch a little and start panicking. Keep them away from me. Good luck, Ohio State.

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