Ayrton Oneill
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team has had a strong season so far, and their performance has been reflected in their rankings. As of December 2024, they were ranked 22nd in the AP poll and 9th in the NCAA NET rankings. The NCAA NET rankings take into account the strength of the Big Ten conference, which has seven teams in the top 25. The Illini's performance in the 2024-25 season has been impressive, and they have a good chance to continue their success and improve their rankings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Illinois Fighting Illini |
| Date | 29 Dec 2024 |
| Location | Champaign, Illinois, USA |
| Opponent | Chicago State Cougars |
| Illinois Fighting Illini Rank | No. 9 |
| Chicago State Cougars Rank | No. 10 |
| Illinois Fighting Illini Record | 9-3, 1-1 Big Ten |
| AP Poll Ranking | No. 22 |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois Fighting Illini's NCAA NET rankings
The Illinois Fighting Illini have been climbing in the NCAA NET rankings. As of January 4, 2025, they were ranked 5th in the NET rankings, up from 9th in the previous ranking. This was the biggest jump in the top 25 rankings, with Illinois moving up five spots.
The Illinois Fighting Illini's ranking has been on an upward trajectory, with the team moving up four spots into the top 10 of the NET rankings in 2024. The NET rankings are calculated daily and are used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee as its primary evaluation tool. The rankings take into account the strength of the conference, with the Big Ten, which includes Illinois, recognised for its depth.
The Illini's success has been attributed to various factors, including the team's strong performance in proving-ground games and the leadership of coach Brad Underwood. Their win over Oregon on January 2, 2025, contributed to their rise in the rankings, setting a new NCAA record for the largest margin of victory for a visiting team against an AP top-10 opponent.
The NCAA NET rankings are based on a data-driven formula that considers various factors, including the team's record, strength of schedule, and performance against top-ranked opponents. The rankings are used to help select teams for the NCAA Tournament during March Madness, with the quadrant system playing a crucial role in evaluating the quality of wins. Illinois has a strong Quad I and Quad II record, indicating a high number of quality wins.
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Illini's chances in the Big Ten Championship
The Illinois Fighting Illini have a strong chance of making a run in the Big Ten Championship. With a three-game win streak and a fully healthy squad, the Illini have momentum and balance on their side. Their frontcourt, including the returning Morez Johnson Jr., will be key to slowing down their opponents' big-man tactics.
However, the Illini face stiff competition from several other teams in the Big Ten. Michigan State, with their strong defense, is a heavy favorite to win the tournament. They finished the regular season with a 17-3 record in league play, boasting half the number of conference losses as their closest challenger, Maryland (14-6 Big Ten).
Other contenders include Purdue, Wisconsin, and Maryland, who could string together some wins and surprise everyone. Oregon is also on a hot streak, with seven straight wins, and cannot be counted out.
The Illini's chances are bolstered by the recognition of the Big Ten's depth in the NET rankings, which had seven teams in the top 25 as of December 31, 2024. This includes No. 13 Maryland, No. 14 UCLA, No. 16 Michigan, No. 23 Ohio State, and No. 25 Michigan State. The Illini's performance and ranking within this competitive conference will certainly catch the eye of the NCAA Tournament selection committee, which uses NET rankings as its primary tool.
While the competition is fierce, the Illinois Fighting Illini have the talent, health, and momentum to make a strong run in the Big Ten Championship. Their performance in the tournament will be an exciting showcase of their potential.
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AP Top 25 poll
Illinois men's basketball has been ranked in the AP Top 25 poll for several weeks in the 2024-25 season. The team first entered the rankings on November 18, 2024, at No. 25, which was three games into the new season. This was the same ranking the team held at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
Illinois remained at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 poll the following week, on November 25, 2024. The team then dropped out of the rankings and did not appear in the poll for several weeks.
On January 20, 2025, Illinois re-entered the AP Top 25 poll at No. 17. The Illini had a big win and a close loss that week, which reflected a shift in voter opinion. By January 27, 2025, Illinois had dropped one spot to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll, despite a 21-point loss at home to Maryland. The team also ranked 20th in the coaches' poll.
Illinois' rankings in the AP Top 25 poll have fluctuated throughout the 2024-25 season, but the team has consistently been ranked in the top 25 by the coaches' poll. The Big Ten conference, to which Illinois belongs, has consistently had multiple teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll, indicating the strength of the conference.
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NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday
The NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday, also known as March Madness, is a highly anticipated event in the world of college basketball. On this day, the Selection Committee reveals the full NCAA tournament bracket for both the men's and women's teams, marking the official start of the tournament and the road to determining the national champions. The 2025 Selection Sunday took place on March 16, with the men's bracket revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and the women's bracket revealed on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
The NCAA Tournament Selection process is based on NET rankings and Quadrants, which help identify the top teams and create a balanced bracket. NET rankings, or the NCAA Evaluation Tool, take into account various factors such as game results, strength of schedule, and location of games to determine a team's quality. Quadrants, on the other hand, categorize wins and losses based on the location of the game and the ranking of the opponent, with Quadrant 1 being the most challenging and Quadrant 4 being the least challenging.
In the lead-up to Selection Sunday, teams across the country anxiously await their fate, hoping to secure a spot in the tournament and pursue the coveted national championship. The selection process is meticulous, considering not just the overall record of the teams but also the strength of their opponents and the difficulty of their schedules. This ensures that the final bracket features a mix of powerhouse programs and underdog stories, setting the stage for thrilling matchups and unexpected upsets.
Illinois basketball, in particular, has been striving to build a strong profile and improve its ranking ahead of Selection Sunday. As part of the competitive Big Ten conference, Illinois understands the importance of quality wins and has been working to enhance its resume. Their performance and ranking in the AP Top 25 poll, while not the sole determining factor, also play a role in shaping their standing and perception among voters and the selection committee.
While the 2025 Selection Sunday has passed, the excitement and intensity of March Madness are just beginning. With the brackets set and the stage prepared, the focus now shifts to the court, where the selected teams will showcase their talent, determination, and pursuit of basketball glory. The road to the Final Four and the national championship is filled with unpredictability, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable moments that captivate fans and showcase the very best of college basketball.
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Illini's odds and power rankings
As of 29 December 2024, the Illinois Fighting Illini ranked 9th in the NCAA NET rankings. They were ranked 22nd in the AP Top 25 poll, moving up a few spots from the previous week. The Illini had a 9-3 record, with a 1-1 Big Ten record.
The NET rankings recognize the Big Ten's depth, with seven teams in the top 25 as of 31 December 2024, including Maryland, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State. This bodes well for the Illini's chances to build a strong profile for the NCAA Tournament.
The Illinois-Chicago Flames and the Illinois St. Redbirds are other Illinois college basketball teams for which betting odds and power rankings are available.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Illinois Fighting Illini is ranked. As of 29 December 2024, they were ranked No. 9 in the NCAA NET rankings.
The rankings are based on the team's quad wins. The quadrant system is used to identify which teams have more quality wins when it comes to Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament.
Quad wins are categorized into four categories: Quad I, Quad II, Quad III, and Quad IV. Beating a Top-30 Team at home is considered equally difficult as beating a Top-75 Team away.
