Can They Schedule Northwestern Every Night?

The Illini basketball team has suffered from an inconsistent and injury-plagued season, especially in Big Ten play.

But Wednesday night's win was probably the best effort the Illini have put together in Big Ten play so far this year.

There's just one problem.

They were playing Northwestern.

The Illini beat the Wildcats 58-43 in Evanston last night, but was Illinois' performance more indicative of the team finally getting it together, or the fact that Northwestern really..... reeeeeally.... sucks.

I know this is easy to say, but I've seen Northwestern play about five times too many this season, and each time I come away with the distinct impression that four friends and I could probably give them a very tough game.

Illinois jumped out to a 17-3 lead to start the game, and though Northwestern made a run to close the first half, this game was never close.

Warren Carter and Shaun Pruitt destroyed the Wildcats 1-3-1 zone inside, Carter going for 17 points and 8 rebounds while Pruitt finished with 13 and a career high 15 rebounds.

Rich McBride, who's shot has returned during the Illini's recent win streak, scored 15 points on five three-pointers. A few of which were probably shot from well beyond NBA range.

Bruce Weber was happy with the effort, and thinks that the Illini defense and rebounding were the key.

"The defense was the key. We have a good feel how to guard them. Our coaches do a good job. We didn't have that feel the first time we played them four years ago. Slowly but surely, you figure it out...We told our kids (Northwestern is) not a great rebounding team. They don't really go to the glass, especially on the offensive end. We said we had to dominate the boards. And every time we got a rebound and an extra possession, they had to guard us longer than they wanted...We had 16 offensive rebounds. They had 16 total rebounds.''

The win moved the Illini to 5th place in the Big Ten at 6-5, and to 18-8 overall. The Illini travel for a tough game in Indiana on Saturday before facing Northwestern again on February 18th in Champaign.

Rich McBride realizes the importance of the Illini finishing the season strong.

"The NCAA tournament, that's what we're fighting for. It's something huge. It's our tradition. We've been going to the NCAA tournament every year (for seven straight seasons), and we don't want to be the team that doesn't make it. We think we still have a pretty good chance. Coach set a goal for us to get 21 wins, and we're fighting every day to make that goal.''

The Illini have 5 games left. They must win three of them to reach their goal of 21 wins and lock up a NCAA tournament bid. (Besides Indiana, all the games are very winnable- NU, Michigan, @Penn State, @Iowa.) If they don't, they'll need a strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament.