Illinois Looking To Building Momentum In Big Ten Tournament Heading Into NCAAs

The Illinois Fighting Illini could improve NCAA Tournament seeding with a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament. They open Friday against Ohio State in Minneapolis

The Illinois Fighting Illini have already earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. 

That's not to say they are taking this weekend's Big Ten tournament lightly. The Illini are using it as an opportunity to build momentum and also potentially improve seeding. 

“I’m playing to win,” coach Brad Underwood said. “You can say it doesn’t mean anything and the NCAA Tournament is the NCAA tournament. As long as we’re playing games that the jersey on the other side says a different university and it’s a different color, we’re trying to play to win. I would love to be standing on a ladder to cut down a net on Sunday.”

The Illini are projected as a No. 4 seed by most websites. A strong showing this weekend, which could possibly include a victory against No. 1 seed Purdue, may strengthen their case for a higher seed. 

Seeding aside, some Illini players are just looking to add to their trophy collection. 

"A lot," guard Marcus Domask said when asked what a conference championship would mean. "I don't have a ring yet in college. I'm looking to get one." 

Here's the game preview for Friday: 

Game time: 5:30 pm., CT

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis

TV: Big Ten Network

Betting line: Illinois -4.5

VITALS: Illinois won the last meeting 87-75 Jan. 30 in Columbus. The Illini finished second in the Big Ten with a 14-6 record. This is their second time as the No. 2 seed in four seasons. The Illini's 23 wins are their most since the 2008-09 team accomplished the same. The Buckeyes are coming off a victory against Iowa in the first round. After going 19-12 in the regular season, they need a strong showing in the tournament to have a shot at the NCAAs. They haven't won the Big Ten tournament since 2013. Illinois is 3-2 against the Ohio State in the tournament.

PROJECTED STARTERS

FIGHTING ILLINI

G Ty Rodgers

G Terrence Shannon Jr

C Coleman Hawkins

F Marcus Domask

F Quincy Guerrier

BUCKEYES

F Evan Mahaffrey

F Jamison Battle

C Felix Okpara

G Bruce Thornton

G Roddy Gayle

INJUY REPORT

FIGHTING ILLINI

Max Williams: Out - Undisclosed

BUCKEYES

Austin Parks: Questionable - Undisclosed

QUOTABLE

Illinois coach Brad Underwood on the Big Ten tournament: “I’m playing to win. You can say it doesn’t mean anything and the NCAA Tournament is the NCAA tournament. As long as we’re playing games that the jersey on the other side says a different university and it’s a different color, we’re trying to play to win. I would love to be standing on a ladder to cut down a net on Sunday.”

How To Watch Illinois-Ohio State, Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines

Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com