It’s rare that a college basketball coach spends much time worrying over their team’s ranking – especially five months ahead of when it even begins to matter – and rare still that they would be willing to admit it publicly. Generally speaking, bigger fish always need frying, and fretting over a number all but pulled from thin air would be a massive time suck. When asked if he gives much thought to preseason rankings on Saturday, before Illinois’ final practice ahead of Sunday’s home exhibition against Illinois State (2 p.m. CT, B1G+), coach Brad Underwood gave a pat response: “No.” And, honestly, why should he? Underwood himself has stated often this preseason – including again on Saturday – how much there is still to learn about his 17th-ranked Illini and another overhauled roster of talented but new-to-one-another players. Still, Underwood doesn’t pretend that national rankings have no influence on perceptions that may be important to, say, NCAA Tournament seedings miles down the road.”I’ll pay attention a
