Illinois Basketball: One Possession Away from March Madness Glory

0:00On March 15th, Illinois basketball has struggled in tight games all season, dropping every single one-possession contest they've played. That's five heartbreaking losses, 83 to 80 against Nebraska, 85 to 80 in overtime at Michigan State, 92 to 90. In overtime to Wisconsin, 95 to 94 in overtime to UCLA, and 91 to 88 in overtime to Wisconsin again. They've shown they can build leads, like their 15-point edge in the second half of that big 10-quarter final against the Badgers, but they let teams hang around and paid for it down the stretch. Coach Brad Underwood owned up to it after the latest defeat, saying he needs to coach better in those moments and that the team can't afford to take. Any possession off. He pointed to simple things like rebounds and blocks that flip the games, like John Blackwell grabbing one uncontested at the end against. Wisconsin. If the Elimi had just nailed one key rebound, stop, or free throw in each of those matchups, they'd sit at 29 wins and three losses right. Now a lock for a number one NCAA seed instead of the number

1:06three, they're projected as heading into the tournament. One possession defines March madness, and with the big dance underway, Illinois has a chance to flip the script and show they belong among the elite.