Illinois Quickly Rises in Jon Rothstein's Rankings – But Should the Illini be Higher?

Behind Tuesday's huge win over Texas Tech, the Illini found themselves jumping 10 spots in Rothstein's rankings. Are they still too low?

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Especially in a sport as fluid and reliant on team chemistry as basketball, it’s difficult to get an accurate read on teams in the preseason. Even early in the season, specifically before a squad faces a worthy foe, it can be tough to get a read on its quality. That is the lone argument that could be made in defense of our friend Andy Katz – who left us in an incredulous state with his Power 37 rankings on Monday, prior to Illinois’ win against Texas Tech.

Where does Jon Rothstein rank Illinois?

Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

As for CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, well, he doesn’t have the same excuse. After the Illini’s encouraging 81-77 victory over the Red Raiders, Rothstein still placed them just outside his top-10 rankings, at No. 11.

Today’s edition of the ROTHSTEIN 45 is LIVE following recent updates:

1. Purdue
2. Houston
3. Alabama
4. Arizona
5. Louisville
6. Michigan
7. UConn
8. UCLA
9. Duke
10. BYU

CC: @FDSportsbook,@FanDuelResearch.https://t.co/QsFDqufuQH

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 12, 2025

It's worth noting that Rothstein had Illinois at No. 21 on his AP poll ballot, a steep drop from the voter consensus, which pegged the Illini at No. 14 on Monday. Clearly, Rothstein is lower on Illinois than the rest of the country.

But even with that in mind, on the heels of the Texas Tech triumph – which was accomplished without the likes of big man Tomislav Ivisic and guard Mihailo Petrovic, among others – one would expect the Illini to at least crack Rothstein’s top 10.

For his part, Rothstein was quite complimentary of Illinois and coach Brad Underwood, in particular. On X, Rothstein said Underwood has brought “Bo Ryan type consistency” to Illinois, which is perhaps the highest praise that can be paid to a Big Ten coach.

Brad Underwood has brought "Bo Ryan type consistency" to Illinois.

Program has been incredibly consistent since 2020-21.

A needle moving win in Champaign against Texas Tech, who got 35 from JT Toppin. https://t.co/Gy1wL0Cgy0

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 12, 2025

At Wisconsin, where Ryan led the way for 14-plus seasons, he oversaw 14 NCAA Tournament trips, and the squad he coached for 12 games before Greg Gard took over in 2015-16 also earned a trip to the Big Dance. Ryan's Badgers regime represents the pinnacle of consistency, and in the eyes of Rothstein, it appears Underwood is nearing that status.

Still, that doesn’t change the utterly perplexing fact that Rothstein rates Illinois outside his top 10. Argue about where the Illini belong within that grouping, but there’s no discussion to be had about whether they belong there. Tuesday proved it.

Highlights of our 81-77 victory at State Farm Center over No. 11 Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/kJTJMxuIsn

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) November 12, 2025

Somehow, despite laying three eggs against measly mid-major squads, UCLA still sits at No. 8 in Rothstein’s rankings, while Michigan – which escaped with a one-point win in overtime against Wake Forest in Detroit on Tuesday – remains at No. 6.

The analytics support the Illini (both Bart Torvik and KenPom have Illinois in their top five), and after the win over the Red Raiders, it’s no longer up for debate: Illinois is currently one of the country's top-10 men's basketball programs.