After a 76-58 blowout conference win over Rutgers, Illinois is in the AP top 20 for the first time this year.
The Illini came in at No. 24 in last week’s poll, and have now risen _ spots to No. _ in the new poll on Monday.
Since its only loss of the season to No. 4 Marquette, Illinois has racked up four consecutive wins with an average margin of victory of over 25 points. This was topped off by an impressive 18-point Big Ten win this past Saturday over the Scarlet Knights.
Illinois definitely looks the part of their new ranking and will look to keep rising in the AP poll as their next two games are against ranked opponents.