Post-season play for Illini comes down to winning Big Ten tourney
llinois' shot at an NCAA men's basketball tournament berth for the ninth consecutive year is down to one hope: winning the Big Ten tournament and grabbing the league's automatic berth.
"That's probably where we're going to have to make a statement,'' said Illini forward Brian Randle.
Otherwise, Illinois' dream for playing in postseason will come down to making a late impression in the season and earning a berth into the NIT or the College Basketball Invitational, a 16-team tournament with four geographic brackets that will compete with the NIT for teams.
After the NIT trimmed its field to 32 teams and awarded invitations to all conference regular-season champs that didn't receive an NCAA berth, the CBI was formed to award more postseason opportunity. Coach Bruce Weber would like to keep playing, no matter what tournament offers a bid.
"It would be nice for everybody, especially the seniors and the momentum of the program, to have a great finish and get into one of the postseason tournaments,'' Weber said. "That's our goal right now. That's easier said than done.''
The teams will be invited to the CBI along the same criteria used by the NCAA and NIT -- overall and conference records and late-season play.
Since the NIT also appears as a longshot for the Illini, the CBI may be Illinois' real option for postseason. The tournament that doesn't require winning records. All CBI games will be played on campus sites, and the championship round is a best-of-three series.
The tournament is run by the Gazelle Group, which operates inseason tournaments 2K Sports College Hoops Classic that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer and the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBS Classic. While a berth is dependent on a strong finish, athletic director Ron Guenther would get the final call if the Illini would lobby for bid.
"A lot will depend if we're in a position that they'd consider us,'' Weber said. "We have to get some wins here down the stretch to have a chance for the NIT or the (CBI). It's something we've talked about.
"There are some question marks (with the CBI), but we have to have a good finish before we even think about it, then we go to Mr. Guenther and get a feel for what he thinks.''
Illinois (10-13 overall, 2-8 in the Big Ten Conference) hosts No. 14 Indiana (18-3, 7-1) Thursday (8 p.m., ESPN).
PUTTING ON POUNDS: Illinois freshman reserve center Mike Tisdale ran into the coaches' offices Monday with good news. The former Riverton High School star hit 230 pounds on the scale. Thanks to six meals a day, Tisdale said, he's still gaining the weight he needs to battle in the low post.
"It was like he had a major accomplishment,'' Weber said. "He's just a great kid with his hard work and attitude. He's going to be a great player for us.''
For a big man to gain weight during the season "is very unusual,'' Weber said. When Tisdale arrived on campus in June, he was somewhere closer 210 pounds.
"His attitude, leadership, enthusiasm, love for Illinois and just being happy to be here, all those things are a positive influence for everyone,'' Weber said.
INJURY REPORT: Freshman forward Bill Cole was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right leg Monday. With nagging pain in Cole's leg, Weber is concerned a stress fracture has developed.
Redshirt freshman Rich Semrau sprained the medial collatereal ligament in his left knee in practice Monday and likely miss practice for two or three weeks.
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .