Illinois enters the Big Ten tournament still trying to figure out what

kind of team it is. At least for 40 minutes. It's a team loaded with

potential that simply hasn't tapped fully into it on a consistent basis.

But it's win-or-go-home time. Better figure it out. Beat writer Scott

Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

It's hard to pin down this Illinois basketball team. From game to game. Or

half to half. It's led to some huge wins (remember UCLA and Texas?) and

some disappointing losses (Ohio State simply the latest). So there's not

telling how Illinois will fare in the final week of the regular season and

postseason play. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this

week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois will play five times in the next two weeks to wrap up the 2022-23

regular season. While a Big Ten title isn't a mathematical impossibility,

it might as well be. A top four finish in the conference standings is also

a long shot. But an Illinois team that has coach Brad Underwood believing

in it more than at any point this season could still build toward more in

March. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's

Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois didn't get back into the AP Top 25 this week even after a ranked

win against Rutgers. While the Illini have won eight of their last 10

games, there just hasn't been enough quality to go with the quantity. Beat

writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini

Basketball.

Illinois is down to eight regular season games left on the schedule. Eight

more opportunities to stay near the top of the Big Ten and eight more

opportunities to improve its NCAA tournament standing. Not that it will be

easy. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's

Inside Illini Basketball.

For close to 50 years, Ed Bond has helped bring Illini basketball to life

on the radio. In that time, the producer has seen much change, from

technology to travel. In a special appearance on 'Inside Illini

Basketball,' Bond strolls Memory Lane with stories of his favorite

coaches, players and stadiums. Like the time Lou Henson had to hurry home

from Minneapolis after his Flyin' Illini booked a trip to the Final Four

so he could watch "Murder, She Wrote" with his wife Mary.

The Big Ten is competitive. The nightly results — where any team can win —

have shown that throughout the season. But there's a real conversation to

be had about how good the conference is compared to its counterparts

across the country. Illinois is right in the thick of the overcrowded

middle of the Big Ten with a couple opportunities this week to move up and

out. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's

Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois is trending in the right direction after a borderline disastrous start to Big Ten play. What that means as the season progresses is still to be determined, but there have been signs the Illini have figured out a path to success. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more.

What stood out most as the Illini won for the first time in four Big Ten

tries? Brad Underwood was calm, cool and collected on the sidelines.

33-year N-G columnist Bob Asmussen - of Bob's Buzzer-Beaters fame - likes

Coach's new demeanor ahead of games against Nebraska and Michigan State,

But will it last? That and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Has the vibe around the Illinois basketball program seemed off? Yeah, a

little. But the Illini are still ranked — higher this week, even — and can

still claim two elite-level victories. Beat writer Scott Richey discussed

that and the upcoming Braggin' Rights game in this week's Inside Illini

Basketball.