Maui Invitational Day 2 roundup

Illinois continued its impressive run in the tournament with an 84-61 win over local underdogs Chaminade on Tuesday. The Illini got balanced scoring -- Brandon Paul scored 13 points, D.J. Richardson had 11 and Joseph Bertrand 14. The Illini are off to a 5-0 start, but they haven't really been tested yet. Butler should give them everything they can handle and will be the favorites to win it all after dominating North Carolina. But don't count out Illinois. The team is playing with a lot more aggressiveness and discipline under new head coach John Groce. It has a terrific backcourt in Richardson, Paul and Abrams and size up front.

A win in the tournament will be a huge boon to the Illini's confidence. They aren't in the same class as Big Ten elite teams such as Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State, but they, along with Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, may be a very tough outs in the league. I won't be surprised if the Big Ten gets eight teams into the NCAA tournament this season.

Chad Ford