This was not a good way to finish things up and it put the team behind the eight ball heading into the Big Ten Tournament. I am thinking Illinois needs to win at least two games to remain on the bubble. If they can win three games and get to the conference championship then I think they are a lock for the NCAA tournament.
But it is going to take a lot to win two games, let alone get to the championship round. Illinois tips off at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday against No. 8 Michigan. This game will be tough considering the teams split in the regular season.