Well, this is what happens when you already have a very short bench, then are down two starters to injury and run into a team that can't miss a shot.
The injuries certainly didn't help, but you can't get blown out by 33 points at home to a bubble team. It's a terrible look, and it really hurt their NET ranking. They're squarely on the bubble and need to close out the season well to avoid missing the Tourney.All said and done having a split with Nebraska should be considered good this season. Nebraska controlled around 68 of the 80 minutes played this season.
Bad timing with injuries and Nebraska had a ton to play for going into last night. Nebraska is still a bubble team to make the tourney at 15-13 and 7-10 in the conference. Nebraska has Northwestern left at home(must win) and could end up 16-13 and 8-10 in conference and outside shot at 11-12 seed. Nebraska has played a strong schedule and will be a borderline pick to make tourney.
Nebraska/Missouri are the 2 bubble teams we beat this season. Iowa is the only tourney team we beat the whole season (unless I am missing someone)The injuries certainly didn't help, but you can't get blown out by 33 points at home to a bubble team. It's a terrible look, and it really hurt their NET ranking. They're squarely on the bubble and need to close out the season well to avoid missing the Tourney.
Rutgers is looking to restart its program now that C. Vivian Stringer has officially retired (the RAC court is now named for her). Attendance and atmosphere right now is pretty similar to pre-Shauna Illinois. Might not beat them by 18 like we did at home, but it's a game we should win.Rutgers will be interesting. The RAC is a rough place to play but I don’t know what kind of turnout they have for wbb games. We will be in Piscataway making noise for the Fighting Illini.
This just reminds me how it's harder to get into the tournament on the woman's side than it is on the men's.ESPN Bracketology got updated this morning
Has Illinois as one of the last 4 teams to get a bye and #10 seed. Nebraska is First Four Out, Missouri is Next Four Out.
Depends how the Rutgers game goes first and than conference tourney. Likely get moved down to Last Four In if we would fall to Rutgers. That would also mean a 11-12 seed and play in game first.
Time to take care of some business....
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Women's Bracketology: LSU, Iowa open on top line, but UConn is No. 1 overall
LSU and Iowa open as top seeds along with UConn and Utah. The Huskies are No. 1 overall in our first projection for 2023-24.www.espn.com
The ESPN Bracketology is not definite but I am on board with where they have had Illinois lately. I am not critical of the ladies when I have posted in the past week or two but they are looking at our quality wins, NET, SOS and it doesn't add up to much. Ladies have overachieved by a ton this season.This just reminds me how it's harder to get into the tournament on the woman's side than it is on the men's.
I haven't heard what her foot injury was. The broken finger of Oden's may put her out for the season if it's on her shooting hand, which I haven't seen reported either.For how long will our two wounded warriors be out? The loss of Shoup-Hill’s size was the real difference against Nebraska.
Not sure which hand she shoots with but it is the right hand that is injured I believe.I haven't heard what her foot injury was. The broken finger of Oden's may put her out for the season if it's on her shooting hand, which I haven't seen reported either.