23. Illinois (7-3)
When last season came to an end, it was easy to be disappointed with how Illinois looked against eventual champion Connecticut, but it’s important to remember that was in the Elite Eight. The Fighting Illini had a very successful season, with Brad Underwood truly reshaping this program. Now, many of those players are long gone and a new crop of talent is already making waves with the Illini this season.
This team did not play any games in the last week, so we’re looking back at their whole season. The overtime loss at Northwestern was regrettable and avoidable, but tough losses to Alabama and Tennessee are far more forgivable, especially with how they battled against the top-ranked Volunteers. With recent wins over Arkansas and Wisconsin, Illinois has proven they can hang with and actually beat good teams as well.
Will they have enough in the tank to be near or at the top of the Big Ten standings? Kaspar Jakucionis is proving himself as one of the best freshmen in the nation and this team has the talent to do it. Many eyes will be on Sunday’s matchup with Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game and we’ll get another look at how Illinois handles a tough test away from home.