Overview
- Illinois hosts Oregon tonight at 22-7 (13-5) after four losses in six, including an 84-70 home defeat to No. 3 Michigan that clinched the Wolverines’ Big Ten regular-season title.
- ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi still projects the Illini as a No. 2 NCAA Tournament seed despite the last-second loss to UCLA and the setback against Michigan.
- Since Feb. 1 the Illini rank No. 57 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per Bart Torvik, with recent games highlighting rebounding and intensity lapses.
- Underwood says he must instill more “physicality” and “nastiness,” while freshman Keaton Wagler remains a steady scorer with 23 against Michigan and 21 straight double-figure games.
- Oregon arrives 11-18 (4-14) after a 63-62 loss at Northwestern; tip is 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, with Nate Bittle scoring 19 and Kwame Evans Jr. posting 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Ducks’ latest outing.