Illinois Football Preview

Here is my final Big Ten Football preview. To see previews for all 11 teams go to www.comradio.psu.edu, they should be up soon.

Illinois Fighting Illini

LAST SEASON: In 2008 Illinois went a disappointing 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten. They finished in a three-way tie for sixth in the conference with Wisconsin and Minnesota. Sitting at 5-4 with a shot at a bowl game, the Illini lost their final three games to Western Michigan, Ohio State and Northwestern to fall short of bowl eligibility. This of course came one season after their trip to the 2007 Rose Bowl.

Is it Enough?

The one thing that kept Penn State basketball from their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001 last year was their non-conference schedule. Quite frankly it was dreadful and loses to Temple and Rhode Island were the nail in the coffin of those tournament chances.

Everything ended well in the 2008-2009 season though when the Nittany Lions stormed to the NIT Championship. Will the 2009-2010 season end in the big dance this time? That is the question Penn State basketball fans want to know.

The 2009 non-conference schedule has been released and at first glance it looks stronger than last year. Will it be strong enough in the eyes of the selection committee come March 2010 if the Lions have put themselves in the mix for a spot in the 65 team field?

The schedule kicks off with two home games in the Bryce Jordan Center against Penn on November 13 and Robert Morris the 16th. Penn who is usually an Ivy League power had a down year last season and hurt Penn State’s RPI. At 252 they are the lowest on the Nittany Lions schedule this season which bodes well. Robert Morris went 24-11 and made the NCAA Tournament last year.