Would you believe me if I told you that last season was the third year in a row that no college basketball teams from the state of Illinois made the NCAA tournament?
Let's put that into perspective.
Since 68 of the 351 Division I programs make the field every year, that means about 1 in every 5 should make the field.
With Illinois having 13 D-I teams, then Illinois should be sending about 2, or actually closer to 3, teams to the field each year.
To go three years with zero bids is really, truly dismal.
The good news? There's reason to believe that streak will be broken this March.
Here's a look at the serious tourney contenders from the state:
Billy Garrett Jr., right, leads DePaul.[/caption]
This isn't the year yet for DePaul, but we should start talking about the Blue Demons.
And, while we're at it, we should check out the Blue Demons and go see a game this year at Allstate Arena, and say goodbye to the Rosemont Horizon. The Big East is solid this year, and there's chances on the DePaul home schedule to see ranked teams such as Villanova, Creighton and Butler, and that's one of the hidden treats for big Chicago sports fans.
The Blue Demons won't hit Lunardi's radar this year and the KenPom rating is irrelevant (170, if you must know).
But Dave Leitao has his crew on the right track, and Wintrust Arena could be a fun place to watch big-time basketball in the next few years.
Northwestern
https://twitter.com/JJoelBoyd/status/813974969973620736 The Wildcats faithful are riding high after the Pinstripe Bowl win and the belief coming into 2017 that this is the year. Incredibly, Northwestern has never made the NCAA Tournament, the only longtime Power 5 conference school to hold that "distinction." The Wildcats have nice wins against Texas, Wake Forest and Dayton, and will have plenty of chances for more in Big Ten play. Sophomore Vic Law and junior guards Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh are a strong core for coach Chris Collins, who have a string of winnable games to open the 2017 before the schedule kicks up later on. Joe Lunardi's Bracketology currently has Northwestern in the field, and not in a play-in game, slotting the Wildcats as one of the "Last Four Byes." The Wildcats are No. 43 in the KenPom ratings, ahead of Minnesota and Michigan State. You have to wonder if they psychological effects of the drought will be too much for this team to handle as the schedule gets tougher.Illinois
https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/814140108018450432 Malcolm Hill is the man for coach John Groce, as the senior is pouring in 18.6 points per game as the calendar turns, good for second in the Big Ten. Still, the best days are still yet to come for Illinois, as East St. Louis post stud Jeremiah Tilmon is signed and sealed for next season. The best non-con wins for Illinois were North Carolina State and VCU, and Winthrop is the only huge problem in the loss column. Ironically, the Illini could have two of its most important games against fellow in-state bubble team Northwestern, as the teams meet Feb. 7 in Evanston and Feb. 21 in Champaign. Bracketology currently has the Illini as one of the "First Four Out" of the 68-team field. KenPom has Illinois at No. 72, so there's work to do.DePaul
[caption id="attachment_82121" align="alignnone" width="530"] Billy Garrett Jr., right, leads DePaul.[/caption]
This isn't the year yet for DePaul, but we should start talking about the Blue Demons.
And, while we're at it, we should check out the Blue Demons and go see a game this year at Allstate Arena, and say goodbye to the Rosemont Horizon. The Big East is solid this year, and there's chances on the DePaul home schedule to see ranked teams such as Villanova, Creighton and Butler, and that's one of the hidden treats for big Chicago sports fans.
The Blue Demons won't hit Lunardi's radar this year and the KenPom rating is irrelevant (170, if you must know).
But Dave Leitao has his crew on the right track, and Wintrust Arena could be a fun place to watch big-time basketball in the next few years.
