There's little doubt that the marquee match on the Illini volleyball schedule this weekend is in Minneapolis. When Illinois visits Minnesota at 7 p.m. Saturday, it will be a matchup of ranked teams and a rematch of that titantic defensive struggle at Huff Hall on Oct. 3 - a battle the Gophers pulled out in five sets.
But here's something to ponder as No. 16 Illinois (17-5, 9-3 Big Ten) awaits its trip to Minnesota (18-6, 8-4): one night earlier, Don Hardin's team must visit an Iowa squad that is 7-1 on its own court. The one blemish? Against No. 1 and undefeated Penn State.
"Iowa has been tough for everyone in their place," Hardin said.
Expect to hear similar sentiments from the Illinois coach the remainder of the Big Ten race.
Winners of five in a row and eight of their last nine, the Illini enter their final eight league matches in second place and the hottest team in the Big Ten this side of Penn State. But the road ahead, beginning this weekend, figures to put torrid Illinois to the acid test. Five of those matches are on the road, including visits to No. 18 Purdue, to a Wisconsin team that until this week was nationally ranked, and to a Northwestern squad that won at Huff Hall last month.
"This next stretch really has us concerned," said Hardin said, whose team also is due a visit from Penn State. "We've got a tough swing on the road, especially when you look at the rankings and the teams right with us (in the standings). I think the first-half (of the Big Ten schedule) was a little friendlier for us."
That said, Hardin is looking forward to seeing how his team responds. Barring a collapse, the Illini are a lock for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2004. And they're looking more and more like at team that should receive strong consideration from the NCAA to host first- and second-rounds matches in the tournament.
But should Illinois not open the NCAAs at home, a road-heavy stretch run that begins this weekend could pay dividends in the postseason.
"Either way, It looks like we're a favorite for the NCAA," Hardin said. "These matches are preparing us better and better for what we'll face in the tournament."