Illinois' basketball journey this season has been a rollercoaster, marked by a blazing start, mid-season struggles, and a resurgent performance in the NCAA Tournament. Back in December through early February, the Illini were unstoppable, boasting a 12-0 run. Their three-point shooting was on fire, and they dominated the boards, climbing as high as No. 5 in the AP Poll by early February.
However, things got bumpy after an overtime loss to Michigan State. Illinois hit a rough patch, going 4-4 and dropping three overtime games, including back-to-back heartbreakers against Michigan State and Wisconsin.
In those losses, the Illini squandered double-digit leads, a trend that reappeared against Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament. Despite these hiccups, they secured a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
In the tournament, Illinois played like a top seed, showcasing their prowess with a commanding win over Penn, 105-70. The Illini exploded for 65 points in the second half.
David Mirkovic was a standout, delivering a double-double with 29 points and a record-setting 17 rebounds. His performance was historic, becoming the first Illinois player since Nick Anderson in 1989 to post 20+ points and 15+ rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game.
Mirkovic also broke the freshman scoring record, previously held by Will Riley.
The Illini shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc and dominated the paint with 44 points. Their rebounding was relentless, outmatching Penn 48-25, and converting 20 offensive rebounds into 29 second-chance points. Kylan Boswell's defensive effort was stellar, holding Penn's star TJ Power to just 6 points, a far cry from his 44-point performance in the Ivy League championship.
Against VCU, Illinois continued their strong play. Andrej Stojakovic led with 21 points, while Tomislav Ivisic added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
VCU challenged Illinois in the first half, but the Illini responded with a decisive run, fueled by Stojakovic's scoring burst. Keaton Wagler's three-pointer at the start of the second half set the tone for Illinois to extend their lead.
In these tournament games, Illinois has looked like their early-season selves, playing with confidence and depth. Their defense has been formidable, and while they faced lower seeds in Penn and VCU, both teams presented unique challenges.
During their 12-game winning streak, Illinois outscored opponents by 22 points on average, had a +12 rebound margin, and shot 37% from three. Post-Michigan State, those numbers dipped, but in the tournament, they've rebounded with a +28 scoring margin, +19 in rebounds, and 40% shooting from three.
Looking ahead, Illinois faces a tough matchup against 2-seed Houston. Should they advance, familiar foes Nebraska or Iowa await, teams they've beaten before.
The possibility of an all-Big Ten Final Four looms, with Michigan State, Purdue, and Michigan also in the mix. Can Illinois continue their resurgence and make a deep run?
Only time will tell.