Illini Win Close Game!

Well, "win" might be too strong a word - "Illini Don't Lose Close Game" would probably be a more accurate description of Wednesday night's game against Michigan in Champaign. The Illini nearly blew a 10-point halftime lead and had to hang on for a 54-52 decision as two potential game-winning shots by Michigan went awry in the final seconds. And all of this came as the Illini were holding the Wolverines to 2-18 shooting from behind the arc for the game, mind you. I'm thinking that Michigan will be a good sleeper pick in the Big Ten next year, since they have everyone back (on a roster of mostly sophomores and freshman), and are well-coached (notice the way they were able to come back despite not hitting their three-pointers, and how adjusted their offense and started getting baskets on back-door cuts when the Illini were heavily pressuring the 3-point line on defense). But at least for tonight, we can celebrate the fact that the Illini didn't blow the home game they absolutely had to win in order to have a shot to reach the NCAA tournament.

I'd like to think that winning a tight game will finally enable the Illini to get on a little roll going into the final weeks of the regular season and into the Big Ten tournament. But more realistically, they'll follow this one up by laying an egg or two, and we'll all be on pins and needles right up to Selection Sunday.