CHAMPAIGN — Could this week's Big Ten tournament be reminiscent of 2016 in Indianapolis. That Illinois team had a Wednesday start but took down a short-handed Minnesota squad before upsetting a in full decline Iowa.
This year in Chicago? The Illini get a reeling Northwestern team that doesn't have a lot of depth and has lost 11 of its last 12 games. A win Wednesday against the Wildcats would then pit Illinois against ... an in full decline once again Iowa.
So the Wednesday start isn't exactly the worst thing for Illinois from a purely basketball standpoint even if fans aren't thrilled about the Illini finishing in the bottom four of the Big Ten yet again.