This has been one of the most anticipated seasons for the Illinois basketball team in quite some time, and it hasn’t disappointed thus far.
The Illini are battling some of the best teams in the country on a nightly basis, and they haven’t been flinching. Sitting at 14-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, Illinois is in a great position when it comes to the NCAA tournament, and finally, we are getting some national spotlight.
In the most recent AP Top 25, Illinois came crashing through the door. We went from receiving votes to be in the top 25 the past month or so, to now being the No. 25 team in the country.
This is the first time the Illini have been ranked this season, and it shouldn’t be the last. It is the first time we have seen the AP Top 25 since February 17 of 2025. We snuck into the rankings after rattling off eight straight wins at the time.
The 2024-25 campaign was tough, and Illinois emerged as a strong team. But that schedule is nothing compared to what the Illini are going through right now.
Illinois basketball is just getting into the AP Top 25, but there are plenty of games ahead that could launch us up the rankings
I have been extremely impressed with the Illini. Behind Berry Wallace and her 18.7 points per game, Illinois is battling some of the best teams in the country.
The Illini are coming off playing three out of their last four games against ranked opponents. We were 1-2 in those three games. The gauntlet isn’t over, though.
Illinois now has three out of the next four games against ranked programs, too. This includes two top 10 programs in No. 8 Michigan on the road and No. 3 UCLA at home.
While the Illini might lose a couple of these games, what the tough schedule does is give us a leg up on the competition when it comes to March. The NCAA tournament resume is only improving with such a tough schedule and the gauntlet we are playing right now.
If we can go 2-2 in the next four games, I think that would be an accomplishment. At the end of the day, at least we are finally back in the AP Top 25. It has been a long time coming, and let’s prove to the world that Illinois basketball is here to stay.