Another week is in the books, and the Illinois basketball team looked like the best team in the country.
The Illini were 2-0 in the past week, with a massive win over No. 5 Nebraska on Sunday. This victory was huge for Illinois as a team, but it also helped in the national standing.
In the updated AP Top 25 that was released on Monday, Illinois moved up four spots, going from No. 9 in the country to now being the No. 5 team in the nation.
There are only four teams ahead of Illinois right now – No. 1 Arizona, No. 2 Michigan, No.3 UConn, and No. 4 Duke. The Illini have already played the Huskies, falling to them back in late November, 74-61.
This is a different Illinois team from back then, though. We didn’t have an identity. Moreover, we didn’t have a leader.
Keaton Wagler has emerged as Illinois’ North Star. He is someone we look to for guidance through the good and bad times. The Illini didn’t have that back in November or even early December. Over the past couple of months, Wagler has emerged as not only Illinois’ best player, but arguably, one of the best players in the country.
Illinois basketball has some big games that will make the top teams in the country hear our footsteps
While Illinois isn’t in the top four yet, and the NET Rankings have us only up to No. 6 after two top-five wins in the past three games, there are plenty of chances for us to crash the party of the top four right now.
As I mentioned, Michigan is No. 2 in the country right now. The Illini welcome the Wolverines into the State Farm Center on February 27.
While Michigan State dropped down to No. 10 in the country, Illinois also has a road game against the Spartans on February 7. That is another Quad 1 game that will boost Illinois’ strength of schedule and make us an even more serious contender for a top spot.
We are on the home stretch of the 2025-26 season. Illinois is in a strong position, and it could get even stronger in the coming week.