What stings many Illini fans is the lack of recent success in the NCAA tournament. And the fear that it might happen again. So a regular-season loss brings up old wounds about what might happen next. And how that would feel again.
We appreciate the Big Ten title and the great success the program has had during the regular season in the past few years. And all the effort that Coach and staff and players have put in to achieve that. But there is only one big trophy for a National Championship. And Illini Nation is so hungry for that one that we can taste it.
For those who tend to want to give up on this team, how about this: The Illini are playing with 'house money' at this point. No one Nationally is looking at them as a serious contender. And some fans are cooling off their expectations further. So whatever the Illini can do on the plus side during the tournament is gravy right now.
You cannot play this game thinking negatively or playing tense. You have to purge all that from your system and go out there and play like you have nothing to lose. That's hard to do when the fans and the program itself cares so much. But you have to shake off those things that are a blow to your confidence and remember what it's like to play loose and free. That's when your confidence and success will come back again. That's how you find your game again.
