NCAA Tournament March Madness

#329 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@Valparaiso196L66-63
11/7Nicholls St265W65-57
11/11@Notre Dame64L78-58
11/14@Kentucky19L99-53
11/25@Cent Arkansas250L81-60
11/28@Purdue5L109-62
12/6Lindenwood25344%
12/10E Kentucky26846%
12/14@Iowa St20%
12/18SIUE19834%
1/1@SE Missouri St24322%
1/3@TN Martin22720%
1/8Tennessee Tech30254%
1/10Tennessee St24542%
1/13W Illinois35874%
1/15@Ark Little Rock30733%
1/22@Southern Indiana30332%
1/24@Morehead St32336%
1/29TN Martin22739%
1/31SE Missouri St24342%
2/5@Tennessee St24522%
2/7@Tennessee Tech30232%
2/10@W Illinois35853%
2/14Ark Little Rock30755%
2/19Morehead St32358%
2/21Southern Indiana30354%
2/26@Lindenwood25323%
2/28@SIUE19816%