Illinois looks to extend its winning streak to six games Tuesday night when Valparaiso comes to Champaign. The non-conference matchup is the fifth game in a nine-game homestand for the Illini.
Baseball America included Illinois (23-8, 9-3 Big Ten) in its top-25 rankings again Monday after the Illini dropped out of the polls following a series loss to Iowa in early April.
Illinois catcher Jeff Korte still does not completely understand why the Illini are not being respected in the polls.
“I was looking at the polls this morning,” Korte said. “Some of the teams ahead of us we have played better than, but they gave them the nod just because they’re the bigger powerhouses.