Feb. 24—Illinois managed to hold on to seven votes in last week’s Associated Press Top 25 after splitting a pair of home games against UCLA and Michigan State. Both featured a late-game collapse by the Illini, who weathered it to beat the Bruins and decidedly did not in a 0 of 19 shooting finish to lose by double figures to the Spartans.
It was difficult to defend voting for Illinois at that point. (I, in fact, didn’t have to because I dropped the Illini from my ballot). But if it was difficult to do that a week ago, it will be impossible this week if Illinois remains on anyone’s AP Top 25 ballot.
The predictive metrics still consider Illinois top 25 worthy, with the Illini checking in at 23rd in Torvik, 24th in BPI and 25th in Kenpom. The results-driven metrics paint a more accurate picture. Illinois’ highest mark among the three used by the NCAA tournament selection committee is 31st in KPI. The Illini are also 33rd in Wins Above Bubble and 40th in Strength of Record.
Mostly, though, Illinois extended its losing streak to three straight games by getting blown out by Wisconsin and absolutely demolished by Duke. The Illini are just 5-8 since Jan. 11.
Meanwhile, Illinois isn’t the only team that had high expectations and has since faltered. Kansas’ tailspin continued with an absolute beatdown at BYU, and Purdue lost its fourth straight game Sunday by 15 at Indiana. Those two teams were ranked Nos. 2 and 11, respectively, on my preseason ballot and are now no longer a part of it.
Here’s how my full ballot shook out this week:
1. Auburn
2. Duke
3. Florida
4. Houston
5. Tennessee
6. St. John’s
7. Alabama
8. Michigan State
9. Iowa State
10. Texas Tech
11. Maryland
12. Texas A&M
13. Missouri
14. Wisconsin
15. Mississippi State
16. Clemson
17. Michigan
18. Memphis
19. Louisville
20. BYU
21. Kentucky
22. Marquette
23. Arizona
24. Saint Mary’s
25. New Mexico
