Since hoops season is pretty much done, let's look at something more enjoyable, another top 10 team this year. Illini are currently ranked #7 by the ITA. Illini are 3-0 and play @ Duke this evening. The schedule is a killer, using current rankings:
@ #24 Duke
@ #10 UNC
#35 ND rematch of an earlier meeting
ITA Indoors which features the top 16 ranked teams
#4 Texas A&M
#1 UVA
#3 TCU
#21 Northwestern
@ #5 Baylor
@ #51 Kentucky
then on to B1G play
So depending on the ITA draw, they could play the top 5 teams in the country. And towards the end of the season they'll play @ #8 Ohio St.
Nice change in that we've won the doubles point in all 3 matches so far. Not sure that will continue, but we will be pretty tough to beat if we do get the doubles point since our 1-3 spots in singles are really good. It looks like Aleks Vucik will be playing #1, Jared Hiltzik #2, Aaron Hiltzik #3. They should all be ranked in the top 40 when the singles rankings are updated next month. Red shirt JR Julian Childers has had a nice start and should be solid at #4 singles. 5/6 singles currently are RS Jr Alex Jesse and freshman Asher Hirsch though we could also see Brian Page there as well.
Big Ten will be the usual battle between Illinois and Ohio St. Nationally, the Illini should host a regional and make the Sweet 16 again, advancing further than that will depend on how well the bottom of the lineup develops and how the draw shakes out.
@ #24 Duke
@ #10 UNC
#35 ND rematch of an earlier meeting
ITA Indoors which features the top 16 ranked teams
#4 Texas A&M
#1 UVA
#3 TCU
#21 Northwestern
@ #5 Baylor
@ #51 Kentucky
then on to B1G play
So depending on the ITA draw, they could play the top 5 teams in the country. And towards the end of the season they'll play @ #8 Ohio St.
Nice change in that we've won the doubles point in all 3 matches so far. Not sure that will continue, but we will be pretty tough to beat if we do get the doubles point since our 1-3 spots in singles are really good. It looks like Aleks Vucik will be playing #1, Jared Hiltzik #2, Aaron Hiltzik #3. They should all be ranked in the top 40 when the singles rankings are updated next month. Red shirt JR Julian Childers has had a nice start and should be solid at #4 singles. 5/6 singles currently are RS Jr Alex Jesse and freshman Asher Hirsch though we could also see Brian Page there as well.
Big Ten will be the usual battle between Illinois and Ohio St. Nationally, the Illini should host a regional and make the Sweet 16 again, advancing further than that will depend on how well the bottom of the lineup develops and how the draw shakes out.