ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has predicted that the Illinois Fighting Illini, coached by Brad Underwood, may face an early exit in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Illinois, holding a 21-12 record this season, has been seeded No. 6 in the Midwest Regional. They are set to face the winner of the First Four matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Xavier Musketeers.
Bilas anticipates that Texas will prevail over Xavier and subsequently upset Illinois. He highlights Texas guard Tre Johnson as a key player, noting, “Tre Johnson is one of the best scorers in the tournament, and often a First Four team advances.”
Illinois has shown offensive prowess this season, averaging 83.8 points per game. However, their defense has been less consistent, allowing an average of 74.6 points per game. This defensive vulnerability could be a factor in their tournament performance.
The Illini’s success may hinge on their ability to tighten their defense and maintain their offensive efficiency. Their performance against either Texas or Xavier will be crucial in determining their advancement in the tournament.
