CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ game Tuesday night against Division II McKendree was a calculated move.
When a potential postseason résumé will be affected by RPI and strength of schedule — among other variables — playing an early nonconference game that won’t count in either calculation can be an attractive option.
The other? Playing a low-major Division I team that could — and most likely would — have its RPI in the 300-plus range and be a net-loss in RPI even with a win.
Illinois had two of those games last season, against Chicago State and Illinois-Chicago. The Flames finished ranked 346th of 351 Division I programs in the RPI rankings.