Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 5 key games for the Illini 2022-23 season

By Rees Woodcock

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Chattanooga Mocs during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on against the Chattanooga Mocs during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
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 /

5. Illinois vs Michigan – Champaign, Illinois – March 2

By this time in the year, I fully expect Illinois to be in the running for a Big Ten regular season title and in the conversation for a top three seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Illini should be heading into the Michigan matchup as a favorite. But the rivalry with the Wolverines over the years has been fun to watch. I think this game toward the end of the season has a few implications to it.

One of the reasons I think this is going to be a key game for the Illini is the fact it will be the first time we go up against Hunter Dickinson without Kofi Cockburn in the paint. That is going to be a weird sight, but nothing would make me happier than to see Dickinson get dominated once again by Illinois.

I think this game could have some serious seeding ramifications for both the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA tournament. Both teams should be in the top 20 nationally, and a win for either team will help strengthen their resume.

This game is going to have some juice to it too. Illinois has now won five straight against the Wolverines, so they are going to come into this game wanting some blood. It would be nice to take them down and make it six in a row.

Next. Projected Illini lineup without Zacharie Perrin. dark

Home/Illinois Basketball