I’m honestly floored by the number of views this little passion-project of mine has been getting in the first few days of its run. I appreciate all of you checking in and reading.
Because I’m a teacher, and in the words of a great sailor-man, “I yam what I yam”… here’s an assignment for you all:
Know someone who remembers Matt Heldman? Send them today’s newslette. And make sure they see the video at the bottom of the page.
Welcome to The Dunker Spot!
First things first, Illinois is up to 11 in the AP polls this week, and that got me thinking: I wonder what our recent history in the AP polls has been like. So here are some quick hitters for you.
Since the 2020 season, Illinois has been in the top 25 for 70% of the time.
Illinois peaked at #2 in 2021, sat at #6 ih 2024, and is was at #8 for a hot second this season.
This one is also one of my favorites: For most seasons since 2020, Illinois’ average ranking in the AP poll is higher than it’s pre-season ranking, which I think speaks to a couple things. One, a testament to BU and staff for getting some under-the-radar gems (hello Keaton Wagler) and two, development over the season. I know Underwood has his detractors when it comes to micro-level in-game management, but on a whole…Underwood teams make progress and improve
Year - Pre-Season - Avergage
2020 - NR - #21
2021 - #8 - #10
2022 - #11 - #16
2023 - #23 - #18
2024 - #25 - #14
2025 - NR - #20
2026 - #17 - #14 (and presumably, hopefully, rising 📈)
THIS DAY IN ILLINI HISTORY
January 20, 2005: Luther Head’s Takeover Saves Perfection
Twenty-one years ago today, Illinois was untouchable. The #1-ranked Illini walked into Assembly Hall riding an 18-0 record, the nation’s longest winning streak, and expectations that would have crushed lesser teams. #23 Iowa had other ideas.
What should have been a comfortable home victory turned into a white-knuckle overtime thriller that nearly ended the Illini’s then-perfect record. The Hawkeyes pushed Bruce Weber’s squad to the absolute limit, forcing extra minutes in front of a sellout crowd. When Illinois needed someone to take over, Luther Head delivered an impeccable performance.
Twenty-five points. Six steals. Six rebounds. Playing 44 of 45 possible minutes. But the raw numbers don’t capture what Head did when the perfect season hung in the balance. Trailing in the second half with Iowa threatening to become the first team to topple the Illini, Head went on a personal 12-0 run—twelve straight points that shifted momentum and saved the season. He attacked relentlessly, launching 13 three-point attempts (tied for sixth-most in a single game in Illinois history) while his defensive intensity created chaos for Iowa all night.
Those six steals went beyond impressive, they were pure survival-mode. In a game decided by five points that required overtime, Head single-handedly erased six Iowa possessions. Then with 40 seconds left in overtime and the game still in doubt, he drove for a clutch layup that finally put the 73-68 victory out of reach.
While Head played the role of aggressor, Dee Brown orchestrated from the point with a double-double—10 points and 10 assists—allowing Head to stay in pure attack mode. The win was Illinois’ 19th straight a season that can only be described as magical. Head. Williams. Brown. Augustine. Powell. Household names in Illinoi, but this game put Head in the spotlight nationally and featured him at his most dangerous: the assassin who could take over when the moment demanded it.
The Rest of January 20
The date has produced scattered moments across Illini history, though none approach the stakes of that 2005 thriller:
2009: #25 Illinois handled Ohio State 67-49 in a defensive slugfest
2001: #11 Illinois demolished Penn State 92-60
1996: Illinois escaped West Lafayette with a 71-67 road win at Purdue. That year’s Illinois team had started 0-5 in 11th place (out of 11 - remember when the Big Ten only a little bit bigger than ten?) and Purdue was 4-0 in conference play so far that season. With the Illini down 60-64 with 2-1/2 minutes left, Illinois went on an 11-3 run to win the game thanks to big buckets by Matt Heldman, Jerry Hester and some clutch free-throws by Kiwane Garris to salt the game away.
1951: #14 Illinois took down Iowa 69-53
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
Games to Watch - Ranked by Watchability
Watch Score = Combined NET Rankings (Lower = More Watchable)
1. Indiana (NET: 38) @ Michigan (NET: 1)
Watch Score: 39 | 7:00 PM ET | Peacock
✅ Quad 1 opportunity for Indiana
The marquee matchup of the night. #1 Michigan hosts a ranked Indiana squad in what should be the most competitive game on the slate. Michigan’s been rolling all season (13-0), and Indiana needs a statement road win. This is appointment television.
2. Purdue (NET: 5) @ UCLA (NET: 45)
Watch Score: 50 | 10:00 PM ET | Peacock
✅ Quad 1 opportunity for UCLA
Big brands, late-night West Coast hoops, and real tournament implications. Purdue travels to Pauley Pavilion looking to stay near the top of the Big Ten standings, while UCLA desperately needs quality wins. Braden Smith vs. Tyler Bilodeau—this one matters.
3. Michigan State (NET: 12) @ Oregon (NET: 101)
Watch Score: 113 | 9:00 PM ET
✅ Quad 1 opportunity for Oregon
Tom Izzo takes the Spartans to Eugene for a Big Ten road test. Oregon needs wins like this to build their tournament resume, while Michigan State looks to keep pace in the conference race. Matthew Knight Arena could get loud.