Illinois Basketball: 4-spot jump has Illini in top 20 of the AP Top 25

After a good week, and some much-needed carnage, the Illinois basketball team is moving on up in the AP Top 25.

The Illini only played one game this past week after an eight-day break. Rutgers was the recipient of a thumping on Saturday, as Illinois went to New Jersey and came away with a 76-58 victory.

This win was solid considering it was a Big Ten road game. Illinois used to fall short in these random middle-of-the-season Big Ten games, but we came prepared.

With that win over the Scarlet Knights, Illinois jumped four spots in the

AP Top 25

. Last week, we were No. 24 in the nation, and now we are entering a tough part of the schedule ranked No. 20.

Illinois basketball has some tough games coming up against fellow AP Top 25 opponents

I love to see the Illini ranked in the AP Top 25. This is the second week in a row Illinois has been ranked, and with the upcoming schedule, I am hoping we continue to see a number by our name.

On Tuesday night, Illinois steps into the bright lights of Madison Square Garden to take on Florida Atlantic in the Jimmy V Classic. The Owls made the Final Four last season and were two points shy of getting to the national championship. Florida Atlantic moved up two spots and is now the No. 11 team in the country.

Illinois then travels to Tennessee on Saturday. This is a huge matchup against one of the top teams in the SEC. The Vols got to the Sweet 16 last season, and they have picked up right where they left off. After a tough non-conference tournament run, Tennessee still finds themselves ranked No. 17 in the nation after a seven-spot drop.

The latest AP Top 25 had Illinois in the top 20 once again. We have proved to be a solid team led by one of the best players in the country in Terrence Shannon Jr. I fully expect Illinois to win at least one of the next two games and to continue being ranked the rest of the season.