After the loss to Ohio State......Illini junior forward Mike Davis described Sunday's 1 pm tip with the Badgers at the Assembly Hall  as being like Game 7 of the World Series.  Win the ring....or come up short of your season-long goal.

While that description is a good one....Bruce Weber gave me another one yesterday.  He told me that the upcoming 2-game series with Wisconsin (one regular season...one Big Ten Tourney game) is more like an NBA playoff series..... and I think I understand his logic on this. 

In the NBA when you are up 3-2 in the best of 7 series....you need a win to advance in the playoffs(in Illinois' case...inch closer to an NCAA Tournament berth).  If you dont win, you still have Game 7 in your back pocket.

Even if the Illini lose at home on Sunday (perish the thought)....I  feel that a win against the Badgers in Indianapolis on Friday should still nail down the invitation to the Big Dance. 

But if  you are an NBA team and you lose BOTH Games 6 and 7......it is "See you next year."  Or in the Illini's case..."See you in the NIT."

With an Illini win over the Badgers on Sunday  they clinch the series...and...in my mind....the NCAA berth. 

I say dont mess around.    Win the series in 6 games. Dont have the season come down to a " Game 7" against Wisconsin  in Indianapolis.  Because then the Mike Davis comparision to the 7th game of the World Series would fit perfectly. And Game 7's make me really nervous.

The Big Ten Tournament starts on Thursday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.