So the Illini are riding a two game losing streak against the two best teams in the Big Ten (by ranking) and it has taught us one thing, this team is not yet ready to threaten for any titles any time soon. However, that does not mean this team is out of contention for an NCAA tournament bid, as some people have already to despaired.

It does however mean that the games against the bottom half of league (of which we are only halfway through) mean that much more. The next four games are once again against these teams. Northwestern, Penn State, Indiana and Iowa. The Illini must win these four games, or at least take 3 of 4. This would put the Illini at 8-2 in conference, and in a very good position heading into the murderers row that follows. MSU, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Purdue. Optimistically and pessimistically the Illini will probably be 4-4 through this stretch, leaving the Illini at 8-6 in conference.

The Illini of course could outperform our expectations and steal a win, or they could massively disappoint and drop a couple to the dredges of the conference. Basically what I am saying is, there is still plenty of opportunity for the Illini to get their wins, and hopefully get some quality ones. That all starts of course with Northwestern.

Northwestern was of course the team that took the Illini to overtime at home all the way back in 2009. Thanks to Mike Tisdale's extreme excellence in play, the Illini were able to come away with the win. I would very much prefer to win this game in regulation, if possible and even have the game sewed up comfortably with say five minutes to go.

Even I know that is not likely. Its just not in this team's MO.

Maybe, just maybe, if the three Illini juniors can have solid games all at once, the team can start running away with things again. But running 2/5s of an offense does not often result in such an outcome.

We know Tisdale has an advantage over the Wildcats. We know if he stays out of foul trouble he can probably clean up in this game. So? Lets do that can we? Maybe lock down on perimeter defense to minimize the 200,000 three pointers NU will take? I don't know. I just want to see Demetri pass to someone who can make the open shot.

I seem to have no other insight into the game other than desperate pleas for consistency and quality, which is a good sign that I am worried about the overall trajectory of the season as well as out of witty comparisons of this basketball and the popular culture meme dujour.

Wait! Mike Tisdale is like an avatar. 7 feet tall, loves the outdoors and is skilled with a bow and arrow. Also he is controlled remotely by Sigourney Weaver. Damn skippy, I still got it.

Game is 7pm Central Saturday on the BTN