Illinois basketball ceiling and floor for the rest of the 2023-24 season

Illinois basketball is in the middle of a pretty special run in the history of the program.

The Illini are on the verge of making a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance, and it would have been five straight if a worldwide pandemic hadn’t swept over the globe.

Making four NCAA tournament appearances in a row is a great feat. It is something John Groce never achieved with the program, and Bruce Weber only got there because of the players Bill Self recruited to Champaign.

Going to four straight NCAA tournaments hasn’t happened in nearly 20 years. Brad Underwood has built something special, and the Illinois basketball program has a chance to not only go dancing once again, but we could potentially advance and make a run at the national title.

Winning a national title is something that has always eluded the Orange and Blue. We came so close in 2005, but with that season being nearly two decades ago, it is time to stop living in the past and start making some modern-day history.

With 10 games to go in the 2023-24 campaign, Illinois sits in a great position. We are currently ranked No. 14 in the country, and our NET Ranking is No. 12. The Illini have some big wins this season, and coming down the stretch, there are opportunities for some more big victories. But there are also chances for Illinois to falter.

I did a little projection. I put together the Illinois basketball ceiling in the final 10 games, so how high I think Illinois could get. I also put together the floor for the Illini, so how bad things could go if we start riding the struggle bus.

So, enjoy. Here is the Illinois basketball ceiling and floor for the rest of the 2023-24 season.