When we last saw Illini basketball, there was a noticeable difference in body composition and athleticism between them and their opponents. Iowa dunked their way to a victory in the Big Ten Tournament, leaving a young Illini squad with a lot of work on its plate.
Since that time, the Iowa that looked like a vastly superior athletic machine, faced their own group of Monstars in Tennessee, a team that faces few rivals in the weightroom. So, that’s how far away Illinois really is from getting old, getting strong, and staying strong.
Part of that is on the coaching staff to recruit the class balance and consistency that sticks around and puts together a string of offseasons.