The More Games, The Better For Young Illini

Big Ten Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals - Indiana v IllinoisToday’s column from CBS Chicago

(CBS) For weeks – months? – the University of Illinois basketball team has been tough to watch. So much so that Illini fans could hardly be blamed for wanting the season to end just so they didn’t have to watch it any longer.

Well, rub your eyes, Illini Nation.

Because what you should actually want is to see more of this 2013-14 team, not less. And the goal for this youthful Illini squad should be to qualify for a postseason tournament, any postseason tournament, in order to build toward what truly matters: the future we can’t see yet.

On Wednesday night in Minneapolis, the suddenly straight-shooting Illini knocked down 8 of 13 3-pointers – including five by budding freshman star Kendrick Nunn – as they upset the Golden Gophers, 62-49.

The unexpected victory lifted Illinois to 15-12 overall, 4-10 in the Big Ten, and most significantly gave the Illini a better shot of actually finding something in what’s been a lost season. Namely, an NIT bid.

Continue reading at CBSChicago.com

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *