After dropping back-to-back contests against ranked Big Ten teams, Illinois fell two spots to No. 22 in the latest Associated Press Top-25 poll, released Monday morning.

Illinois fell one spot from No. 19 to No. 20 after succumbing to then-No. 18 Iowa, 72-65, at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Friday, the Illini were outplayed at home by the No. 9-ranked Terrapins, 75-66, marking the second victory for Maryland in the series against Illinois this season.

Illinois is one of four Big Ten teams to earn spots in the latest AP poll; Maryland coasts at No. 9, Penn State moves up to No. 13, Iowa falls to No. 21, and Michigan State, Michigan, Purdue, Ohio State, and Rutgers received votes.

Up next, the Illini will play the Michigan State Spartans Tuesday night at the State Farm Center in front of a sold-out crowd. Illinois dropped a road game to Michigan State earlier this season, 76-56, on Jan. 2.

Tip-off for Tuesday’s game is at 8 p.m.

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