Do the Illini have it in them to pull off a huge upset?
Perhaps history repeats itself. Nine years ago, Illinois made a run to the Big Ten tournament title game as an underdog. Seeded at No. 11, the Illini ended one victory short of going to the NCAA tournament despite a losing record.
But when No. 10 Illinois (13-18 overall, 5-13 in the Big Ten) enters Big Ten tournament play against No. 7 Penn State (15-15, 7-11) in a first-round game at Conseco Fieldhouse on Thursday (1:30 p.m., ESPN2), do the Illini want to play? Or does a team that battled chemistry issues want to end it?
After it became apparent an NCAA tournament berth relied upon winning the conference tournament this winter, coach Bruce Weber will see if the Illini have the heart to give it one more shot.
"I don't know that,'' Weber said. "I don't know what's inside. We talked about that and tried to prime them the last few weeks. It's one more exciting part of being part of a college basketball program.
"I hope they go in with some confidence, not a sense of being uptight now. If you have a little bit of will to win, it might make a difference. If it comes down to a play or two, that might give us an advantage. I hope they're saying the right things (in the locker room) and feel that way inside.''
Winning four games in four days is a stretch for a team that hasn't won back-to-back games since December against Missouri and Loyola (Md.). Borrowing from Illini football coach Ron Zook, the Illini must believe.
"If we're not ready to play, if we don't come and play hard and compete, that's the end of the season,'' said Illini senior forward Brian Randle. "That says it all. If guys don't want to play, and we come out and want this to be the last game, then it's the last game. There's no NIT or NCAA guarantee. That's it.''
Illinois hasn't missed posteseason since 1999. The Illini already tied a school record for losses in a single season.
Otherwise, the Illini must also answer the bell physically. Guard Chester Frazier won't practice this week to rest both knees, especially the left one placed in an air cast earlier this week. Frazier has tendinitis in both knees but is expected to play against the Nittany Lions. In last year's first round, Frazier scored a career-high 21 points in a win against Penn State.
"Win four, and we're in (the NCAAs),'' Frazier said. "That's what we've got to think about. We've got to look forward to winning four games. I don't think (the Nittany Lions) want to see me in the tournament.''
Randle played 27 minutes against Minnesota on Saturday after returning from a dislocated shoulder. Guard Trent Meacham has bone spurs on his left ankle. Eight Illini were in the training room Monday. But there is one bit of good news: Forward Rodney Alexander was cleared to play after recovering from a mild concussion after missing the game against Minnesota on Saturday.
Penn State swept the season series with Illinois for the first time since joining the league in the 1992-93 season but also has issues, since junior forward Jamelle Cornley underwent season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery Monday. A promising season already took a hit two months ago with the loss of senior forward Geary Claxton, who was the league's No. 2 scorer and rebounder at the time of his season-ending knee injury.
Yet without their two stars, Penn State defeated Indiana 68-64 in overtime Sunday.
"We knew Jamelle wasn't available for the Indiana game or the conference tourament,'' Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. "We knew Friday that his knee had gotten to the point where he couldn't go any more. That hurts us. We're a young team. Our kids banded together. There's not much else you can do.''
Other than having a will to win.
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.