GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Illinois protection is in a greater spot getting into the 2026 NCAA Tournament than it was prior to the Illini’s 2024 Elite Eight run.
No. 3 seed Illinois (24-8) enters Thursday’s first-round NCAA Tournament tipoff (8:25 CT, TNT) in opposition to No. 14 seed Penn with the No. 24 adjusted defensive effectivity within the nation, in accordance to BartTorvik.com. The 2023-24 Illini, Brad Underwood’s most profitable postseason crew at Illinois, entered the NCAA Tournament No. 92 in defensive effectivity earlier than rattling off three straight wins in March Madness to attain this system’s first Elite Eight in 19 seasons.
Still, the protection stays a official concern for the Illini — who have the No. 2 offensive effectivity within the nation — due to its inconsistency and struggles in opposition to NCAA Tournament-caliber groups.
Illinois has misplaced 5 of its final 9 video games (4 in time beyond regulation), and whereas the Illini are in a capturing droop — 29.7% from three over the last seven video games — a lot of the points are on protection. According to KenPom.com, six of the Illini’s eight least environment friendly defensive performances of the season have come over the last 9 video games.
For Illinois to make any form of prolonged run within the NCAA Tournament, the protection, led by Illini assistant and defensive coordinator Camryn Crocker, will want to tighten up.
