Did Illinois Basketball Hang on to a Spot in This Week's AP Top 25 Poll?

It was going to be touch-and-go for the Illini, who came into the week ranked No. 23 but lost yet again

Feb 5, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) goes to the basket in front of Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) and a referee during the second half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

After five consecutive weeks in which Illinois absorbed at least one loss, the Illini – ranked as high as No. 13 in early January and clinging to a No. 23 ranking as of last week – finally fell out of the AP Top 25 poll Monday.

The slip was a sign of their recent struggles – including a 3-5 stretch plagued by injuries and illness – and was perfectly justified. The Illini (16-8, 8-6 Big Ten), quite simply, had been losing more thsan winning and objectively hadn't been playing well. That's how it goes.

The upshot: Illinois was one of the teams hanging around the outskirts of the top 25 that received the most votes – 59 – behind UCLA (123) and defending champion UConn (106). More importantly, the Illini are coming off arguably their most impressive win of the season (a 95-74 road thumping of Minnesota) despite still falling short of full health.

POLL ALERT: Auburn edges Alabama to remain No. 1 in AP Top 25 despite loss, Florida and Duke tied at No. 3; UConn drops out of poll.

Full poll: https://t.co/ZJG5mgWrsa pic.twitter.com/uPS6iaXOQh

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) February 10, 2025

Illinois faces one of the most difficult finishing kicks of any team in college basketball – including six of seven games to close the regular season against opponents currently positioned in the top 25 of the NET rankings.

On the one hand, the remaining schedule is a meat grinder. On the other, it's nothing new for the Illini, who have one of the most muscular strengths of schedule in college basketball but are now – if for only one game – playing their best basketball. A win over the Bruins and then Michigan State this week would very likely send Illinois skyward and back into a spot in next week's AP poll.

AP Top 25: 1. Auburn, 2. Alabama, 3. Florida, 4. Duke, 5. Tennessee, 6. Houston, 7. Purdue, 8. Texas A&M, 9. St. John's, 10. Iowa State, 11. Michigan State, 12. Texas Tech, 13. Arizona, 14. Memphis, 15. Kentucky, 16. Wisconsin, 17. Kansas, 18. Marquette. 19. Ole Miss, 20. Michigan, 21. Missouri, 22. Mississippi State, 23. Clemson, 24. Creighton, 25. Maryland.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Basketball Report Card: Grades at Minnesota (Game 24)

Will the NCAA Tournament Committee Put Illinois' Season in Perspective?

3 Takeaways From Illinois Basketball's Win at Minnesota