3. That’s the Magic Number

Our recent lot in NCAA Tournament life is pretty simple. If we make the tourney we live in the top half (seeds 1, 4, 5, 8,9, 12, 13, and 16) of the bracket. Dating back to the Flying Illini, in our last 21 NCAA appearances we’ve been in the top half of the bracket 17 (!) times. Four 1-seeds (2021, 2005, 2001, 1989), Five 4-seeds (2022, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000), four 5-seeds (2009, 2004, 1998, 1990), one 8-seed (1994), two 9-seeds (2o23, 2011), and one 12-seed (2007).

Obviously it’s not the 1-seeds that are the issue. We’ve held up to that seed pretty well in those four appearances (two Final Fours and an Elite Eight). The issue is that at the top of the bracket it’s kind of all or nothing - especially that dreaded 4/5 line. Either you are the top dog or you have to face the top dog way earlier than you want to.