Much of the energy of the Illinois basketball fanbase is going toward the men’s program, but I plead with you, don’t give up on the women’s team.
While the Illini have hit a rough patch, that was to be expected. Dropping the last two contests, four out of the last five games, and seven out of the last 10 looks bad. But when you get to the meat of the issue, it isn’t anything to worry about.
Illinois was expected to struggle through this part of the schedule. The fact that we knocked off No. 7 Maryland at home and No. 25 Washington on the road is something to hang your hat on.
Sitting at 16-8 overall and 6-7 in the Big Ten, Shauna Green has Illinois on the right track. I would argue that what we have seen over the past month and a half has been helpful to the program on both a micro and a macro level.
Micro
You are looking at the short-term effects of the schedule Illinois just went through. What better way to be prepared for the NCAA tournament than to play NCAA tournament teams in nine out of the last 11 games?
Illinois is getting a crash course in what it takes to compete and beat the top programs in the country. We aren’t one of those teams yet, but now the players are starting to realize what it takes to get to that level.
I also believe it helps the Illini for the end of the season. The final five games of the season are all winnable. The toughest team is on the road against No. 15 Iowa. The other four games include three in Champaign against Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Minnesota. The other game is on the road against Northwestern.
This tough stretch of games Illinois just played has prepared them for the stretch run. Finishing the final five games at 4-1, giving us a record of 20-9 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten, would set us up nicely for the Big Dance.
Macro
To me, this is the most important aspect of what Illinois has gone through in the past 45 days. While I want Berry Wallace and the rest of the roster to win the national championship this season, I have to be realistic.
Illinois is an extremely young team. Our best players in the starting lineup are Destiny Jackson and Cearah Parchment, both freshmen, and Wallace, who is a sophomore.
Going through this gauntlet of a Big Ten schedule might show some struggles right now, but it helps build strength in the future. The team needs adversity, and that will help develop character and toughness for seasons to come.
You see what this young core of players is doing for the program right now. Illinois is projected to be a No. 8 seed in the NCAA tournament, led by freshmen and sophomores. Just imagine what they can accomplish next season or the season after. The future is so bright for the Orange and Blue.