Underwood has landed on a formula that has Illinois positioned at 11-3 (4-1 Big Ten) and climbing any and all college basketball rankings. It was lethal against Oregon, Penn State and others. Against unranked Washington, it almost killed the Illini. Does Underwood want to tinker now or risk "almost" in the win-or-die environment of March?

Kasparas Jakucionis had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds as No. 22 Illinois held on to defeat Washington 81-77 on Sunday afternoon in Seattle and complete a sweep of its trip to the Pacific Northwest.