NCAA Basketball: Kansas rises, Duke, Kentucky, and Texas Tech fall in latest top-25 power ranking

12. Illinois Fighting Illini - 16-5 (7-3 Big Ten)

Coming off a home win over Indiana, Illinois had to go on the road at Ohio State, a team on the bubble who’s been struggling in Big Ten play. Still, they have one of the most talented backcourts in the league and pose a threat against anyone.

The Fighting Illini was able to keep Ohio State at arms’ length for the entire game, holding on for an 87-75 victory. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask had 23 points each, while Ty Rodgers produced 13 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams shot over 50% from the field but the Illini’s offense proved to be too much, even on the road.

With Wisconsin having lost to Nebraska a few days ago, Illinois finds itself down just a game in the standings to the Badgers and Purdue Boilermakers. It’s taken them a minutes to fully get Shannon back into the lineup but they’re now looking like a Final Four contender yet again.

The Fighting Illini now has a chance to stay in the title race but will likely need a 2-0 week to keep pace. The next opponents are Nebraska at home, followed by a road battle at Michigan State in what will be the Game of the Week in the Big Ten.