Observations from Thursday's action at the Big Ten tournament ...

--While watching UI seniors Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson rip Indiana on Thursday, one thing kept popping into my head: Enjoy watching this while it lasts because it will be ending soon. Whether that ending arrives on Friday, or Saturday or Sunday is immaterial. What matters is that Smith and SImpson are again putting on an impressive display of basketball, one that won't be repeated often in future generations.

Smith is a singular talent, and her prolific contributions to the program will be celebrated when she breaks Ashley Berggren's career scoring record, which could happen on Friday. Simpson played with a passion, typical of the zeal she has displayed annually at this event since her sophomore season. Her stat line looked like her mother filled it in: 12 points, eight steals, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals. Those two carried the Illini ... and I know what you're thinking: So, what else is new? They've done it all season.

But, at some point soon, it will be over, and Illini fans won't have the pleasure of watching two of the program's most prolific producers. Given the success the Illini have enjoyed in the Big Ten tournament during the last three seasons of their careers (a 5-2 record), it's hard to envision what this team will look like next March. One thing is certain: Watching won't be nearly as much fun without them.

--I mentioned in the previous blog post that I'm eager to see how Simpson might fit in at the WNBA level. Again, I have no expertise in projecting how college players will transfer their ability to the WNBA, but I can't wait to see how Simpson might do. Big Ten Network analyst Mary Murphy said on the air Thursday that her colleague -- analyst Stephanie White, a Chicago Sky assistant coach -- believes Simpson can play in the WNBA.

I can't wait to find out. 

--So, can Illinois beat top seed Ohio State on Friday? The Buckeyes won both regular season meetings, the first convincingly, the second a little less so.

I don't think the Illini are about to embark on a 2008-like run, mostly because that team had beaten Ohio State during the regular season and broken through the Buckeyes' veil of invincibility. This year's Ohio State team did lose to Indiana, and Purdue, and at home against Michigan State. It isn't a juggernaut. But the Buckeyes have a major edge in big-game experience and skill, and the Illini will need their best effort of the season -- along with some aid from OSU -- to get a win. 

There does seem to be a blueprint, however, to beat the Buckeyes. OSU coach Jim Foster, of all people, pretty much spelled it out recently. If you want to rankle the Buckeyes, get physical with them. And that starts with center Jantel Lavender, who isn't a fan of physical play. 

"I think Jantel is a target every night, and how she reacts and responds to it sets the tone for our team," Foster said while acknowledging that sometimes his players get frustrated by the physical play.

--You want an indication of which athletic directors in the Big Ten take their women's basketball programs seriously? Check this out: Northwestern AD Jim Phillips (a 1990 Illinois graduate) was at his school's first-round game against Michigan on Thursday afternoon. He didn't have to be. It wasn't a huge game in the big picture ... or any picture. But there is no doubt that it is important to Phillips to have a strong women's basketball program. His commitment was evident when he lured coach Joe McKeown away from George Washington -- where he'd built a powerhouse program that perennially played in the NCAA tournament -- to revive the Wildcats' moribund program. You can't acquire that type of coach without being committed, and Phillips' presence Thursday spoke volumes. 

--Reminder: We'll have a 1 p.m. chat Friday. Click here to submit a question.