NCAA Tournament March Madness

#333 E Illinois

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Projection: need to automatically qualify

Eastern Illinois’ resume shows a lone real bright spot and a series of damaging defeats that collectively explain why the safe path to the NCAA tournament is through the Ohio Valley’s automatic berth. A gritty showing on the road at Valparaiso and the home victory over Nicholls State are the kinds of results committees notice, but those are overwhelmed by heavy losses on true road trips at Notre Dame, Kentucky, Central Arkansas and Purdue that make the staff question the program’s ability to compete outside its league. The conference schedule and upcoming home dates against Lindenwood and SIUE offer opportunities to rebuild momentum, while a looming trip to Iowa State presents little upside and more exposure to another lopsided defeat. With few quality nonconference wins and several resume-damaging road blowouts, winning the conference tournament looks like the most realistic route to the field.

Date Opponent Ranking Outcome
11/4@Valparaiso199L66-63
11/7Nicholls St255W65-57
11/11@Notre Dame62L78-58
11/14@Kentucky20L99-53
11/25@Cent Arkansas257L81-60
11/28@Purdue6L109-62
12/6Lindenwood24941%
12/10E Kentucky27345%
12/14@Iowa St20%
12/18SIUE22436%
1/1@SE Missouri St22719%
1/3@TN Martin21417%
1/8Tennessee Tech26043%
1/10Tennessee St25341%
1/13W Illinois35472%
1/15@Ark Little Rock31633%
1/22@Southern Indiana32134%
1/24@Morehead St32335%
1/29TN Martin21435%
1/31SE Missouri St22737%
2/5@Tennessee St25322%
2/7@Tennessee Tech26023%
2/10@W Illinois35451%
2/14Ark Little Rock31655%
2/19Morehead St32358%
2/21Southern Indiana32156%
2/26@Lindenwood24922%
2/28@SIUE22418%