Illinois on Sunday won their first Co Big Ten regular season title since 2005 with the win against Iowa in Champaign. With Wisconsin losing to Nebraska by one. (74-73). Brad Underwood was ecstatic but  not satisfied with only this achievement.

“Our goal is to win the tournament,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “I’d like to put back-to-back on something. We’re never going to try not to play hard and not to win. Along the lines, if that helps NCAA Tournament seeding, great, but there’s probably only so high we can go at this point.” 

The last time Illinois won the Big Ten regular season title, Bruce Weber was the coach and led the Illini to a 37-2 record and a trip to the national championship even though losing to North Carolina. This team has all the potential of making a run in the tournament. A mindset as well of overcoming getting bounced early in the tournament by Loyola Chicago last year in the Round of 32. 

Trent Fraizer and Da’Monte Williams have been through it all since Brad Underwood took over the program in 2017. They wouldn’t want anything more than to cut down the nets in New Orleans on April 4. 

Kofi Cockburn even had his senior day on Sunday as he is still deciding if he wants to go to the NBA or come back for another year at Illinois. 

The depth has proven all year of being an x-factor of success for the Illini. The addition of transfer Omar Payne from Florida, has really helped in having a reliable power forward/center that can come in and replace Kofi Cockburn. Sophomore: Coleman Hawkins has even been a versatile piece to their success with his production coming off the bench and rising to occasion with his energetic defensive play. 

Illinois is projected to be a No. 4 seed in the tournament even though losing today to Indiana in the Big Ten Quarterfinals.