See ya, Northwestern. Good luck, Illinois St. Don’t hold your breath, Bradley. With March Madness poised to kick off in earnest with Sunday’s selection of the NCAA Tournament participants, the University of Illinois appears to be the lone team from the Land of Lincoln headed to the Big Dance. The Fighting Illini’s 23-8 record heading into Friday’s Big Ten Tournament makes them a virtual lock to make the NCAA’s field of 65. So, what happened to the rest of the state’s hopes? Here’s a look, but it ain’t pretty.
Bradley, 18-14
The Braves failed to punch their ticket, losing in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tourney.
Chicago St., 19-13
Led by dynamic David Holston, the Cougars, as an independent, needed an eye-popping record to make the Big Dance. Fail.
DePaul, 9-24
Close your eyes. The Blue Demons went winless in the Big East, finishing 0-18 and 9-24 overall.
E. Illinois, 12-18
The Panthers went down without a bite (groan), losing in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference tourney.
Illinois St., 24-9
The Redbirds soared early in the season, winning their first 15 games, but they faltered in the MVC tourney final, leaving their fate in the hands of the NCAA selection committee.
Loyola, 14-18
The Ramblers simply ran out of ammo.
N. Illinois, 10-20
The Huskies were the dogs of the Mid-American Conference, figuratively and literally.
North-western, 17-13
Their hopes likely were dashed by a 66-53 loss Thursday to Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament in Indian-apolis.
S. Illinois, 13-18
Once a tourney darling, the Salukis fell to fellow fallen state team Bradley in the MVC tourney. Say that 10 times fast.
UIC, 16-15
Josh Mayo and his 16.8 points per game weren’t enough to get them out of the Horizon League tourney.
W. Illinois, 9-20
The Leather-necks might have coolest nickname, but didn’t have the game.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Illinois vs. Michigan
5:30 p.m. Friday, Big Ten Network
