Did The Illini Fool The Selection Committee?
It’s time for another one of my crazy sports conspiracy theories. The Illini were cruising along, looking like a solid 5 seed and maybe even a 4 seed in the NCAA Tourney. Then they lost Frazier to a fractured hand/wrist and said he would probably not be back for the Big Ten tourney but he may be ready in time for the Big Dance. After playing just so-so in the Big Ten tourney and not really raising or lowering their tournament resume, the Selection Committee then gives the Illini the 5 seed they were expected to get (albeit with a tough draw having to play the Hilltoppers in the first round and then the Zags in Portland). Then all of a sudden reports come out that say Frazier will almost definitely not be ready for the tournament. Hmmm…
So is the Selection Committee saying that the Illini are just as good a team without Frazier as they are with him? That seems unlikely. What does seem likely, however, is that the Illini were able to plant just enough doubt in the committee’s minds that Frazier might not be done for the year, that the committee felt obligated to give them the seed they would have had if Frazier was healthy.
God-willing Frazier is able to suit up and be healthy enough to make a difference, but that cast on his hand/wrist looks huge and pretty serious. Either way, well-played Illini.
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