For those posters who scoff at there being any bias or intent by some to do anything they can to stick it to IL athletics, this is just one of dozens of examples in the last 30 years of exactly that happening. I know some posters are relatively new or young fans and may not be aware. Go back and research (Robert is a great resource here) the 1984 IL/Kentucky ncaa basketball game (elite 8 I believe) that was played on Kentucky's court and ushered in the neutral court rule, or the Deon Thomas recruiting "scandal" that crippled the program for a decade. Or the IL/Michigan football game Rocky Harvey "fumble" that ushered in replay, the IL/Miami tournament game out of bounds play that ushered in yet another replay rule. The list goes on and on. That's just off the top of my head, quickly. When considered, all together, it is a pattern that repeats over and over. It leaves only one logical conclusion. IL is not supposed to win, and any actions that can be taken to ensure that are just fine with the B10 and NCAA.
Not equating this situation with the examples listed. Just pointing out that it is consistent with a pattern involving IL athletics.