After a rocky start with some early non-conference losses, the Illinois Fighting Illini found their groove, kicking off conference play with an impressive run. Winning 11 of their first 12 conference games, including a 12-game winning streak from late December through early February, they seemed unstoppable. However, the latter part of February brought challenges that tempered their momentum.
Ending with a 15-5 conference record after such a strong start might feel like a missed opportunity. Yet, it's hard to overlook the successes of the season.
The Illini secured fourth place in the Big Ten and earned a double bye for the Big Ten Tournament. They also maintained a presence in the top 10 of both the NET and KenPom rankings for a significant portion of the season.
A highlight was their victory at Mackey Arena, a feat they hadn't achieved since 2020, thanks in part to standout performances from Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn.
With 24 regular season wins, this marks the highest total during Brad Underwood’s nine-year tenure as head coach. Some might argue this team rivals the 2020-21 squad as his best.
Although, neither had the advantage of senior year Terrence Shannon. Which team do you think stands out in Underwood’s era at Illinois?
There are whispers of underachievement, fueled by close losses and the team's undeniable potential. But let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. Likely securing a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Illini have been consistently ranked in or near the top 10 and have seen impressive contributions from various players.
Unless they face an unexpected early exit in the tournament, this season should be celebrated as a triumph.