Illinois coach Brad Underwood has emphasized NCAA Tournament goals above all else.
March Madness is the goal.
The fourth-ranked Illini will be national championship contenders when the tournament begins, no matter the outcome of Tuesday’s game at No. 2 Michigan.
“The national stuff is most important,” Underwood said.
Michigan (18-1, 13-1), meanwhile, needs just one win in its last three games to secure the Big Ten title. The Wolverines could put a bow on their beautiful regular season by beating Illinois. The Illini (18-6, 14-4) would need to win their final two games and have the Wolverines blow it from here on out to overtake Michigan for the title.
The Wolverines appear to be a likely No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, something Illinois has an outside but not impossible chance of also obtaining, especially if it can beat the Wolverines and Ohio State on Saturday in the regular-season finale.
So, yes, theoretically some things are on the line Tuesday. But mostly pride.
Try telling that to the players.
A top-five Big Ten showdown in March inevitably injects a competitive jolt. When the Wolverines and Illini tip off at the Crisler Center, they’ll feel like it’s the national championship game in that moment.
“It’s definitely going to be a great challenge,” Illinois guard Andre Curbelo said. “We’re here to improve, and that game is going to be a statement game. We have to go into Michigan with a killer mentality.”
One element may be missing to keep from making it a classic showdown.
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu remains “day to day” with a facial injury. Underwood offered no updates Monday on the Illini’s leading scorer, who was injured nearly a week ago against Michigan State, and Illinois has not provided details on the extent of his injury.
Illinois beat Nebraska and Wisconsin with Dosunmu on the sideline, but Tuesday’s game will be tougher. Underwood said Dosunmu has had scans and doctor appointments, but he has not given a timetable for his star player’s return. Dosunmu expressed his desire to return in a video after his injury.
Dosunmu is a candidate for conference and national player of the year awards, ranking second in the Big Ten in scoring with a 21-point average and first in assists with 5.3 per game. Last month he made Illinois history by recording two triple-doubles in a span of four games.
Underwood praised Dosunmu’s attitude while he’s sidelined.
“He thinks the game, he knows the game,” Underwood said. “He can grab guys in a timeout. Those subtle whispers in their ear. He sees things he can talk about from his position. There’s no doubt he’s a steadying influence on the bench.”
The Wolverines jumped over Baylor to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll Monday and in the NET rankings, which the NCAA Tournament selection committee uses to help seed the field.
Underwood has been impressed with the Wolverines’ steadiness, seemingly unrattled by a three-week layoff due to COVID-19 issues within the school’s athletic department.
Baylor was rusty after returning from its long layoff, needing a comeback against Iowa State before losing to Kansas.
Michigan has won seven straight, including five in a row after its 22-day break during which it missed three games.
“It’s very impressive,” Underwood said. “I don’t think I put that in perspective until the other night when I watched Baylor in the Kansas game. Michigan has been great. It shows their commitment and veteran leadership.”
Michigan owns the fifth most efficient offense and fourth most efficient defense, according to the KenPom analytic website.
Center Hunter Dickinson, a 7-foot-1 freshman, will provide a challenge for Illinois 7-footer Kofi Cockburn, who averages 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds. The Wolverines held Iowa big man Luka Garza to a quiet 16 points in a Feb. 25 Michigan win.
Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers bring extra length, something the Illini have struggled against at times.
Underwood noted the teams are different in style but similar philosophically. Illinois ranks 10th in adjusted offense and 17th in adjusted defense.
He’s especially pleased how the team weathered last week without Dosunmu and playing four games in eight days.
“They play really hard,” he said of Michigan. “I have a great appreciation for their connectivity. They play with great energy. I’d fully expect us to do the same.”
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