Résumé splotch not blurring Illini's strengths

Photo by: Stephen Haas/The News-GazetteCHAMPAIGN — Illinois baseball’s two-game stay in Omaha, Neb., for the Big Ten tournament came as a surprise. The third-seeded Illini had won six straight Big Ten series heading into the conference tournament, and that late season success coupled with their strong RPI had hosting an NCAA regional on the table.

But only with more wins.

Losses to Maryland and Michigan erased that chance. Illinois still has a strong NCAA tournament résumé, but today’s 11 a.m. selection show won’t have any “will they play at home” suspense. The Illini are still a strong contender for a No. 2 overall seed, but that means postseason play for the first time since the super…