Illinois Basketball: What Will It Take to Go "Dancing in March?"
Around this time of year, all college basketball programs are about to start their conference schedules, including the Illinois basketball team.
The Illini currently sit at 9-3 and have one more game left in the non-conference slate.
Here are my keys to get in the NCAA Tournament as the Big Ten schedule looms.
No. 1 Beat Missouri
Obviously, the Illini are going to want to win the Braggin’ Rights game. Groce has yet to lose this game, and Illinois is going to need to win it.
This win would put the Illini one game above my original non-conference prediction at 10-3. This would set Illinois up to go .500 in the Big Ten and have a shot at making the tournament. A 9-4 record does not look as nice on paper.
No. 2 Win Home Games
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Illinois must make sure to win most of the home games they have on their schedule, and they really need to avoid any bad home losses (Winthrop, anyone?).
Winning home games on the Big Ten Conference schedule is crucial to building a solid resume for the selection committee.
No. 3 Win Some Road Games You’re Not Expected to Win
Obviously, a key to having a great resume in March is winning games against teams who are better than you.
Another key is to steal a couple road games from teams you were not expected to beat in the first place (maybe an IU, Purdue, or Michigan).
No. 4 Make Some Noise in the Big Ten Tournament
Last season, the Illini did some damage in the Big Ten Tournament, but well after their season was lost. They shocked the world but upsetting Iowa in their second game of the tournament.
Winning a couple more games in the Big Ten Tournament, and having a better seed in that tournament, could prove vital to the Illini’s hopes of getting in the postseason.
FINAL RECORD PREDICTION: 23-11
This record allows Illinois to lose up to seven conference games, and one game in the Big Ten tournament. This will set them up well for a 6-8 seed in the tournament.
