The Road to March: Can Illinois Basketball Navigate The Tough Path Ahead?

It’s been a season of highs and lows for Illinois Basketball. Despite boasting a roster filled with talent, the Illini have struggled to find consistency, largely due to youthfulness and a string of untimely illnesses.

Key contributors have been in and out of the lineup, including Tomislav Ivisic, who missed several games battling mononucleosis. Meanwhile, the rest of the team has dealt with flu-like symptoms at various points, making it difficult to build momentum. Additionally, freshmen like Kasparas Jakucionis and Morez Johnson Jr have shown flashes of brilliance but, as expected, have experienced the growing pains that come with a larger role in the Big Ten.

Now sitting at 16-8 (8-6) (prior to their matchup with UCLA at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11), Illinois finds itself ranked 7th in the Big Ten and projected as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Illini are currently absent from the AP rankings, however, the NET rankings certainly favor them at #12 in the nation. While that position is solid, the Illini still have plenty of work to do—and the path ahead is brutal.

Of their 7 remaining games before the Big Ten tournament, 5 come against ranked opponents, providing a challenge, but also an incredible opportunity. With several Quad 1 wins still up for grabs, Illinois has the chance to not only solidify its tournament résumé but also reestablish itself as a dangerous team come March.

However, to do so, they’ll need to stabilize quickly, as this next stretch could define their season.

Remaining Schedule for Illinois Basketball

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	TV
Tue, Feb 11	vs  UCLA	7:00 PM	Peacock
Sat, Feb 15	vs 11   Michigan State	7:00 PM	FOX
Tue, Feb 18	@ 16 Wisconsin	7:30 PM	FS1
Sat, Feb 22	vs 3  Duke *	7:00 PM	FOX
Tue, Feb 25	vs  Iowa	8:00 PM	FS1
Sun, Mar 2	@ 20  Michigan	2:45 PM	CBS
Fri, Mar 7	vs 7   Purdue	7:00 PM	FOX

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