COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rank ‘em.
In Shauna Green’s first season at the helm of Illinois, the Illini nearly picked up their biggest win in program history on Sunday afternoon: blowing a 17-point third-quarter lead in a 87-81 loss at undefeated No. 3 Ohio State.
The win would have been Illinois’ first against a top-five opponent since beating No. 5 Georgia on Jan. 2, 2000. The Illini only have two such wins in program history (also 1982 vs. No. 3 Long Beach State).
A win would have all but guaranteed that Illinois (14-3, 4-2 Big Ten) would be ranked come Monday for the first time since just after the turn of the century (Nov.