February was bleak for Illinois. More injuries and illnesses. More losses. Waning hope. But now it's March, and all is apparently well after a 2-0

week that saw Illinois beat up on Iowa at home and then do the same at Michigan five days later to generate the kind of momentum you need this

time of year. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois just experienced its worst loss in program history — a 43-point

thumping at the hands of then No. 3 Duke on basketball's biggest stage. That blowout was emblematic of the continued struggles Brad Underwood's team has experienced the past six weeks. Struggles that need fixed as the regular season winds to a close if Illinois still has aspirations at meaningful postseason basketball. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Beat writer Scott Richey recorded this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball before news broke of, well, Morez Johnson Jr.'s broken wrist.

That only would have added to the discussion of the up-and-down (and up-and-down again) last two months for Illinois. A round of true/false with our beat writer shines a light on where the Illini stand with five games to play in the regular season.

Kofi Cockburn and Terrence Shannon Jr. will be back in town this week to see their jerseys raised to the State Farm Center rafters. A reason to

celebrate. But the games themselves — against UCLA and Michigan State — can't be overlooked. It's a week for Illinois to prove its place among the

Big Ten's best. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more, including a visit from a top-level European center, in this week's Inside

Illini Basketball.

Illinois got whole again with Tomislav Ivisic's return and showed, in its comeback win against Ohio State, what that group is capable of doing on the court. Now Illinois will take its full strength lineup on the road for key games at Rutgers and Minnesota. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The "Tomislav Ivisic has mono" experience created two distinct results last week for Illinois. A blowout home loss to Maryland followed by

dominating 35 of 40 minutes against Northwestern for a win where the final score wasn't indicative of the gap between the two teams. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, recruiting and more in this week's Inside

Illini Basketball.

Illinois didn't lose Sunday's game at Michigan State because of the officials. Missed free throws (a lot of them) and missed three-pointers

(even more) played a part. But ... so did Kasparas Jakucionis only playing 8 1/2 minutes after some iffy calls fouled the future lottery pick out of

the game. But there were positives coming out of East Lansing — like Will Riley asserting himself — and Illinois isn't out of the Big Ten race just

yet. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Lose a home game in the Big Ten (a Quad III loss no less)? Better make it up on the road. Illinois has a pair of opportunities this week at Indiana

and Michigan State. Win both and a place atop the conference is secured for a while longer. Win one and stay competitive in the race. Lose both

and the pressure increases on the remaining games on the schedule. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini

Basketball.

Are the Illini Final Four material? We turn to the dean of all Big Ten reporters — Hall of Famer Loren Tate – for his take on Brad Underwood's

surging team, his favorite all-time Big Ten gyms and whether Illinois basketball — and football for that matter – are built for long-term success in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The resumption of Big Ten play won't be easy for Illinois, with a two-game road trip to the Pacific Northwest that begins with a top 10 team in

Oregon. Momentum is on Illinois' side, at least, after an electric win against Missouri and zero letdown against Chicago State. Beat writer Scott

Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball