Once hopeful, Illinois now trying to just hang on

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Coach Bill Self's main concern is getting No. 21 Illinois to play its best heading into the NCAA tournament. That's just a month away, and the Illini have never looked worse.

Illinois (15-7, 4-5) has lost three games in a row, is in danger of slipping out of the rankings for the first time this season and has yet to win a conference road game. Picked by many to contend for the Final Four, the Illini are not even a lock to make the tournament.

"It's occurred to me. There's a ton to play for, but we've got to start making it happen real soon," Self said Tuesday.

Few could have imagined Illinois in this position a month ago.

The Illini's preseason expectations appeared to be on the mark when they started 12-2 -- both loses coming against top ten teams -- and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the AP poll.

The team's confidence started to unravel with back-to-back road losses at Wisconsin and Purdue. Then came an 88-57 rout by Indiana, a loss on the road to Ohio State and a home loss to unranked Michigan State.

Against the Hoosiers, Illinois gave up a Big Ten record 17 3-pointers and was outscored by 20 points in the second half. It was the worse loss for the Illini in over a decade.

So what exactly happened to Illinois?

Confidence breakdown

"Our confidence is shaken," Self said. "It's probably more mindset than it is x's and o's. I certainly think that's the case now, and that's my job as a coach."

One glaring reason for Illinois' struggles over the past three games has been the inconsistent play of guard Frank Williams.

Williams, the Big Ten player of the year last season, is shooting 32 percent from the field over that stretch and isn't getting teammates involved, averaging two assists per game.

Self also has questioned whether the junior guard is giving his full effort on defense. But he's quick to say it's the entire team, not just Williams, playing poorly.

"With All-American status comes those sorts of things, and Frank knows that. I think that's a responsibility he's got to understand and except better. Everyone is watching every move he makes," Self said.

With five conference losses, Self has conceded the Big Ten race. Now he's focused on getting the Illini ready for -- and into -- the tournament.

The Illini, still without a conference road win, travel to Michigan on Thursday. Illinois beat the Wolverines by 24 earlier in the season.