CHAMPAIGN — The schedule Illinois basketball faced last year? The one with the trip to Hawaii to face three high-level teams? With challenging nonconference games against Georgetown and Notre Dame? The one that was the 13th toughest in the nation, per KenPom, when 20 Big Ten games were added?
Brad Underwood's complete roster overhaul didn't quite mesh with the level of opponent Illini would face on a nightly basis. They struggled to a 12-21 record trying to tackle that slate.
That type of schedule, though, would have set up well for the 2019-20 team. Win enough of those games and it's hello NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013.