Winning effort, losing score

I think we can all agree on this much: If the Illini team that competed so hard at this weekend's Big Ten Tournament has been the Illini team that took the floor every game, no one would be worrying about their NCAA Tournament fate.

They'd be in easy.

As it is, there will be a bundle of nerves as the selection show approaches on Sunday and Illinois now has to worry if its spot might be swiped by another Big Ten team, Minnesota.

Tupper