After big week, Illinois soars up AP Top 25 basketball rankings

The Illinois Fighting Illini have been lighting up the court in recent weeks, and their success has resulted in a big jump up the AP Top 25 rankings.

Thanks to a big week that saw them triumph over Washington at home and then No. 5 Nebraska in Lincoln, Illinois has jumped to the No. 5 spot in the national rankings, the first time they’ve hit the top-five since Nov. 2020.

The Illini have run their record to 19-3 on the season and 10-1 in Big Ten play thanks to an 11-game winning streak that has seen them score three road victories over ranked teams, including over No. 4 Purdue in West Lafayette on January 24 and then against Nebraska on Sunday.

The undefeated Arizona Wildcats were the unanimous No. 1 in the rankings as they continue their best start in school history. Michigan, sitting at 20-1 on the season, is No. 2 in the rankings, followed by UConn and Duke. Nebraska and Michigan State are also in the top-10, with Purdue sitting at No. 12 in the country.

Freshman sensation Keaton Wagler has been driving the Illini offense in recent weeks, registering 28 more points against Nebraska on Sunday and a record 46 points against Purdue.

According to the Associated Press, Wagler is the first player in the history of the AP poll to score 25 or more points in multiple road wins against top-five opponents in a single season.

With five players averaging double-figure point totals, the Illini have soared into a tie with Michigan  for the top spot in the conference, with the two teams set for a high-profile clash in Champaign on February 27.

Before then however the Illini still have a couple of tough road games against No. 10 Michigan State and then a California swing that will see them face USC and UCLA.

They also have home games against Wisconsin and Indiana on the schedule.