Since Selection Sunday, I’ve been sitting in my feelings about Illinois Basketball. So, here are my three seasons why Illinois makes the Final Four.

Yes, I’m going there. Here’s my case:

One: this team has been built for March. The Illini have gone through enough adversity this season to know how to respond when things get hard. Tournament basketball rewards teams that don’t panic. This group doesn’t panic.

Two: Keaton Wagler just won Big Ten Freshman of the Year. You don’t win that award without being something special. A freshman who performs at that level in a conference that hard is exactly the kind of player who outperforms expectations in the tournament, because he has nothing to prove and everything to gain.

Three: the bracket will break right for someone. It always does. This is a team capable of beating anyone in the country on a given night. That’s all you need.

I’m not predicting a championship. I’m predicting a run. There’s a difference, and right now, the difference feels significant.

Please let this be the year…