Illinois #24 in 11/27 AP Poll

Dan · Nov 27, 2023

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1729201336242344302

NCAA College Basketball Rankings: AP Top 25 Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA men's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.

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Jplatt06 · Nov 27, 2023

Purdue and Illinois the only 2 B1G teams in…. Really is a down year.

Fighter of the Nightman · Nov 27, 2023

WOOHOO! #TeamRankingsMatter!!

Future and past Illini opponents are below, for reference. Obviously the NET matters way more than the AP Poll, but I do think this illustrates that it might be crucial for us to nab one of the Tennessee or (much more likely, IMO) FAU games for our resume...

Top 25 Opponents
L 71-64 vs. #3 Marquette
at #10 Tennessee (Saturday 12/9 at 11:00 am on CBS)
vs. #13 FAU (Tuesday 12/5 at 5:30 pm on ESPN)
at #1 Purdue (Friday 1/5 at 7:30 pm on FS1)
vs. #1 Purdue (Tuesday 3/5 at 6:00 pm on Peacock)

Teams Receiving Votes (MSU w/57 votes at #31; UNL w/4 votes at #44)
vs. Michigan State (Thursday 1/11 at 8:00 pm on FS1)
vs. Nebraska (Sunday 2/4 at 5:30 pm on BTN)
at Michigan State (Saturday 2/10 at 1:00 pm on CBS)

So yeah ... it ain't 2021 anymore, and we are not going to earn too high of a seed by getting "big wins" in conference play. Gotta beat FAU or Tennessee coming up!!

Fighter of the Nightman · Nov 27, 2023

^ Also, my mistake but Ohio State is also receiving votes. They got a nice win vs. Texas A&M last week.

danbor · Nov 27, 2023

Jplatt06 said:
Purdue and Illinois the only 2 B1G teams in…. Really is a down year.

Just as a point of reference the Big Ten has had exactly ZERO teams in the final four in the last three tournaments. In that respect we've been down for a while.

AyoDos11 · Nov 27, 2023

Wow, I was not expecting Illinois to be ranked, given all the Thanksgiving tournaments and only playing Western, but I'll gladly take it.

21ChampaignSt · Nov 27, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
WOOHOO! #TeamRankingsMatter!!

Future and past Illini opponents are below, for reference. Obviously the NET matters way more than the AP Poll, but I do think this illustrates that it might be crucial for us to nab one of the Tennessee or (much more likely, IMO) FAU games for our resume...

Top 25 Opponents
L 71-64 vs. #3 Marquette
at #10 Tennessee (Saturday 12/9 at 11:00 am on CBS)
vs. #13 FAU (Tuesday 12/5 at 5:30 pm on ESPN)
at #1 Purdue (Friday 1/5 at 7:30 pm on FS1)
vs. #1 Purdue (Tuesday 3/5 at 6:00 pm on Peacock)

Teams Receiving Votes (MSU w/57 votes at #31; UNL w/4 votes at #44)
vs. Michigan State (Thursday 1/11 at 8:00 pm on FS1)
vs. Nebraska (Sunday 2/4 at 5:30 pm on BTN)
at Michigan State (Saturday 2/10 at 1:00 pm on CBS)

So yeah ... it ain't 2021 anymore, and we are not going to earn too high of a seed by getting "big wins" in conference play. Gotta beat FAU or Tennessee coming up!!

The FAU game, imo, is the most important one. Win and we get the benefit of beating a highly ranked team on a neutral court. Lose, and we're probably going to carry around some skeptics all year, unless we can beat Tennessee and/or Purdue.

lstewart53x3 · Nov 27, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
WOOHOO! #TeamRankingsMatter!!

Future and past Illini opponents are below, for reference. Obviously the NET matters way more than the AP Poll, but I do think this illustrates that it might be crucial for us to nab one of the Tennessee or (much more likely, IMO) FAU games for our resume...

Top 25 Opponents
L 71-64 vs. #3 Marquette
at #10 Tennessee (Saturday 12/9 at 11:00 am on CBS)
vs. #13 FAU (Tuesday 12/5 at 5:30 pm on ESPN)
at #1 Purdue (Friday 1/5 at 7:30 pm on FS1)
vs. #1 Purdue (Tuesday 3/5 at 6:00 pm on Peacock)

Teams Receiving Votes (MSU w/57 votes at #31; UNL w/4 votes at #44)
vs. Michigan State (Thursday 1/11 at 8:00 pm on FS1)
vs. Nebraska (Sunday 2/4 at 5:30 pm on BTN)
at Michigan State (Saturday 2/10 at 1:00 pm on CBS)

So yeah ... it ain't 2021 anymore, and we are not going to earn too high of a seed by getting "big wins" in conference play. Gotta beat FAU or Tennessee coming up!!

We have 20+ Q1 / Q2 games. We’ll be fine

AdamFletchersBicep · Nov 27, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
WOOHOO! #TeamRankingsMatter!!

Future and past Illini opponents are below, for reference. Obviously the NET matters way more than the AP Poll, but I do think this illustrates that it might be crucial for us to nab one of the Tennessee or (much more likely, IMO) FAU games for our resume...

Top 25 Opponents
L 71-64 vs. #3 Marquette
at #10 Tennessee (Saturday 12/9 at 11:00 am on CBS)
vs. #13 FAU (Tuesday 12/5 at 5:30 pm on ESPN)
at #1 Purdue (Friday 1/5 at 7:30 pm on FS1)
vs. #1 Purdue (Tuesday 3/5 at 6:00 pm on Peacock)

Teams Receiving Votes (MSU w/57 votes at #31; UNL w/4 votes at #44)
vs. Michigan State (Thursday 1/11 at 8:00 pm on FS1)
vs. Nebraska (Sunday 2/4 at 5:30 pm on BTN)
at Michigan State (Saturday 2/10 at 1:00 pm on CBS)

So yeah ... it ain't 2021 anymore, and we are not going to earn too high of a seed by getting "big wins" in conference play. Gotta beat FAU or Tennessee coming up!!

that’s an early start time for the FAU game

727ill · Nov 27, 2023

21ChampaignSt said:
The FAU game, imo, is the most important one. Win and we get the benefit of beating a highly ranked team on a neutral court. Lose, and we're probably going to carry around some skeptics all year, unless we can beat Tennessee and/or Purdue.

Absolutely have to take care of business against Rutgers, FAU and Mizzou in this stretch. Anything worse than 3-1 in this next 4 games is very concerning.

Emerson Bigguns · Nov 27, 2023

AyoDos11 said:
Wow, I was not expecting Illinois to be ranked, given all the Thanksgiving tournaments and only playing Western, but I'll gladly take it.

We don't have any quality wins, but we don't have any bad losses either. The season is progressing the way most pundits thought it would, so it tracks that we would currently be ranked similar to our pre-season ranking. We haven't done anything to show we aren't a top 30 team. We also haven't done anything that shows we are better than top 20.
Yes, we've feasted on cupcakes, but we've managed to keep our fingers clean in the process. We're beating the teams we are supposed to beat by margins befitting the disparity.

AyoDos11 · Nov 27, 2023

Emerson Bigguns said:
We don't have any quality wins, but we don't have any bad losses either. The season is progressing the way most pundits thought it would, so it tracks that we would currently be ranked similar to our pre-season ranking. We haven't done anything to show we aren't a top 30 team. We also haven't done anything that shows we are better than top 20.
Yes, we've feasted on cupcakes, but we've managed to keep our fingers clean in the process. We're beating the teams we are supposed to beat by margins befitting the disparity.

I just meant that since we were out of the rankings last week, it was kind of surprising we moved back in based on all the games this past week. Teams like Villanova (6-1), BYU, Colorado State, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma (all 6-0) were going to move into the rankings because of their respective wins against quality opponents and/or lack of losses. With our only game this past week being a cupcake, I just didn't think we would also move back up. Although I now see that five teams dropped out of the rankings, effectively making it a wash.

3 point girl · Nov 27, 2023

AdamFletchersBicep said:
that’s an early start time for the FAU game

ET 6:30pm

LoveIlliniHoops · Nov 27, 2023

AyoDos11 said:
I just meant that since we were out of the rankings last week, it was kind of surprising we moved back in based on all the games this past week. Teams like Villanova (6-1), BYU, Colorado State, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma (all 6-0) were going to move into the rankings because of their respective wins against quality opponents and/or lack of losses. With our only game this past week being a cupcake, I just didn't think we would also move back up. Although I now see that five teams dropped out of the rankings, effectively making it a wash.

It doesn’t hurt that we covered the spread the last two games. Cupcakes or not, that spread means something.

Fighter of the Nightman · Nov 27, 2023

lstewart53x3 said:
We have 20+ Q1 / Q2 games. We’ll be fine

I guess it depends on your definition of "fine," but I don't entirely disagree. Personally, I think making it to the Sweet Sixteen this year is essential for the image of this program and Underwood, so anything less than a #5 seed is just setting yourself up to have to beat the odds. To achieve that given we'll take some expected losses in Big Ten play, I do think we need to secure a signature non-conference win out of our three chances of Marquette, FAU and Tennessee. We missed on Marquette, and I do think if go 0-3, it will be an uphill battle to get a top 5 seed unless we catch fire in Big Ten play ... and I don't want to have to count on that.

Also, RE: the Big Ten's current rankings, it is probably deserved and expected. With that said, the conference will have many opportunities to start to improve its image over the next few weeks...

#2 Arizona at #1 Purdue (Indianapolis, IN)
Wisconsin at #2 Arizona
#3 Marquette at Wisconsin
#5 Kansas at Indiana
#9 Baylor at Michigan State (Detroit, MI)
#24 Illinois at #10 Tennessee
#24 Illinois vs. #13 FAU (New York, NY)
#15 Creighton at Nebraska
#22 Mississippi State at Rutgers (Newark, NJ)
#23 Alabama vs. #1 Purdue (Toronto, Canada)
Indiana vs. Auburn (Atlanta, GA)
Iowa at Iowa State
Maryland at UCLA
Nebraska at Kansas State
UCLA vs. Ohio State (Atlanta, GA)

Purdue has already done more than enough to carry the conference (wins over #4 Marquette, #7 Tennessee, #11 Gonzaga and Xavier), but there are some really golden opportunities for the Big Ten coming up. While I know it can be fun to laugh at our rivals, it would be really nice if we could win some of these ranked matchups and get the NET ranking of our conference foes higher once they come out.

pruman91 · Nov 27, 2023

Hey , coach zero-izzo........You were ranked # 4 in the AP Preseason Poll , but now you are down to #31.....What do you attribute that to ????...........

My immaturity.......................it really really is........................

Well , I agree completely......what are you going to do to turn your season around ??

Pout .......................................

Ask for forgiveness from the Ancients ??

Sorry zero-izzo , no can do !!.....................

I'm screwed.................I really really am....................

Well , there you have it Illini Nation.....this is Chris Walken , with the Walken Weekly Warrior podcast......Please subscribe so we can continue to do these edge of your seats shows and get revenge on all who have reeked bad will on the fighting Illini family .......

Next guest.......................Satan............................be there or be square.................

chudaman · Nov 27, 2023

21ChampaignSt said:
The FAU game, imo, is the most important one. Win and we get the benefit of beating a highly ranked team on a neutral court. Lose, and we're probably going to carry around some skeptics all year, unless we can beat Tennessee and/or Purdue.

It is important but it also falls on CoHawk's birthday weekend.

grue2 · Nov 27, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
I guess it depends on your definition of "fine," but I don't entirely disagree. Personally, I think making it to the Sweet Sixteen this year is essential for the image of this program and Underwood, so anything less than a #5 seed is just setting yourself up to have to beat the odds. To achieve that given we'll take some expected losses in Big Ten play, I do think we need to secure a signature non-conference win out of our three chances of Marquette, FAU and Tennessee. We missed on Marquette, and I do think if go 0-3, it will be an uphill battle to get a top 5 seed unless we catch fire in Big Ten play ... and I don't want to have to count on that.

Also, RE: the Big Ten's current rankings, it is probably deserved and expected. With that said, the conference will have many opportunities to start to improve its image over the next few weeks...

I'm not liking how the BigTen comes out of this. Finishing 7th in the conference may mean sweating it on selection Sunday.
Dancing: PU, MSU, IL, WS, OSU
Maybe: Nebraska (7-0 vs. puffs), IA

My predictions:

Big Ten Wins:
#9 Baylor at Michigan State (Detroit, MI)
#23 Alabama vs. #1 Purdue (Toronto, Canada)

Toss up:
#2 Arizona at #1 Purdue (Indianapolis, IN)
#24 Illinois vs. #13 FAU (New York, NY) (Leaning IL)
UCLA vs. Ohio State (Atlanta, GA)

Big Ten Losses:
#24 Illinois at #10 Tennessee
Nebraska at Kansas State [It would be close if played at Nebraska]
Iowa at Iowa State [It would be close if played at Iowa]
Wisconsin at #2 Arizona
#3 Marquette at Wisconsin
#5 Kansas at Indiana
Indiana vs. Auburn (Atlanta, GA)
#15 Creighton at Nebraska
#22 Mississippi State at Rutgers (Newark, NJ)
Maryland at UCLA

Tyrone HoggLegg · Nov 27, 2023

Emerson Bigguns said:
We don't have any quality wins, but we don't have any bad losses either. The season is progressing the way most pundits thought it would, so it tracks that we would currently be ranked similar to our pre-season ranking. We haven't done anything to show we aren't a top 30 team. We also haven't done anything that shows we are better than top 20.
Yes, we've feasted on cupcakes, but we've managed to keep our fingers clean in the process. We're beating the teams we are supposed to beat by margins befitting the disparity.

Agree with FAU/Tennessee, but the one I most am concerned about is the Rutgers game. Would be a really bad loss. Have to win that one.

lstewart53x3 · Nov 27, 2023

Tyrone HoggLegg said:
Agree with FAU/Tennessee, but the one I most am concerned about is the Rutgers game. Would be a really bad loss. Have to win that one.

Rutgers is currently 61 in Kenpom. There’s a good chance Rutgers becomes a Q1 game. Meaning the selection committee will likely see that game in a similar light as the home game against Marquette.

grantlab · Nov 27, 2023

727ill said:
Absolutely have to take care of business against Rutgers, FAU and Mizzou in this stretch. Anything worse than 3-1 in this next 4 games is very concerning.

I wouldn’t classify 2-2 in that stretch as “very concerning” especially if it meant losing 2 true road games, one of which to a top 10 team who, let’s face it, it’s probably going to take a bit of a miracle to beat. Would 2-2 make the path to comfortably being in the tournament a bit more arduous? Sure. I’m only really concerned if we’re coming out of that 1-3 and am ready to write the season off if it’s 0-4.

doowink · Nov 27, 2023

Lets just take them 1 game at a time.....lets put up a W against Rutgers and go from there......

IllinoisssssssVarsity · Nov 27, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
WOOHOO! #TeamRankingsMatter!!

Future and past Illini opponents are below, for reference. Obviously the NET matters way more than the AP Poll, but I do think this illustrates that it might be crucial for us to nab one of the Tennessee or (much more likely, IMO) FAU games for our resume...

Top 25 Opponents
L 71-64 vs. #3 Marquette
at #10 Tennessee (Saturday 12/9 at 11:00 am on CBS)
vs. #13 FAU (Tuesday 12/5 at 5:30 pm on ESPN)
at #1 Purdue (Friday 1/5 at 7:30 pm on FS1)
vs. #1 Purdue (Tuesday 3/5 at 6:00 pm on Peacock)

Teams Receiving Votes (MSU w/57 votes at #31; UNL w/4 votes at #44)
vs. Michigan State (Thursday 1/11 at 8:00 pm on FS1)
vs. Nebraska (Sunday 2/4 at 5:30 pm on BTN)
at Michigan State (Saturday 2/10 at 1:00 pm on CBS)

So yeah ... it ain't 2021 anymore, and we are not going to earn too high of a seed by getting "big wins" in conference play. Gotta beat FAU or Tennessee coming up!!

I’m sorry I’m not paying attention to much else besides our games.

Is that Nebraska receiving votes?

lstewart53x3 · Nov 27, 2023

Jplatt06 said:
Purdue and Illinois the only 2 B1G teams in…. Really is a down year.

5 B1G teams in the top 26 on KenPom.

727ill · Nov 28, 2023

grantlab said:
I wouldn’t classify 2-2 in that stretch as “very concerning” especially if it meant losing 2 true road games, one of which to a top 10 team who, let’s face it, it’s probably going to take a bit of a miracle to beat. Would 2-2 make the path to comfortably being in the tournament a bit more arduous? Sure. I’m only really concerned if we’re coming out of that 1-3 and am ready to write the season off if it’s 0-4.

Let's put it this way..if we don't go 3-1 in that stretch I don't really see the vision for this team making it past the first weekend of the tournament.

Illinois #24 in 11/27 AP Poll

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