The top-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini open Friday with a Midwest Region contest in Indianapolis against Colonial Athletic Association champ Drexel in the 1 vs. 16 matchup.

Winning seven in a row and 14 of 15, as the 23-6 Illini have done, while playing in the nation's best conference this season will certainly get everyone's attention. With the exception of unbeaten and top-ranked Gonzaga, Illinois is the hottest team in college basketball.

National Player of the Year candidate Ayo Dosunmu (20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game) and 7-foot center Kofi Cockburn (17.6 points, 9.6 rebounds) form quite a 1-2 punch. But the Illini aren't just a two-man show.

Six Illinois players scored in double figures in a 91-88 overtime decision against Ohio State that cinched the Big Ten tourney crown, including three off the bench. Dosunmu, Cockburn and Andre Curbelo each tallied 16, Da'Monte Williams added 13, Georgi Bezhanishvili hit for 12 and Trent Frazier had 10.

The Illini rank in the top 20 nationally in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebound margin and assists. While they occasionally get loose with the ball and can struggle at the line, those issues have yet to haunt them when it matters.

Meanwhile, Drexel (12-7) had trouble finding a rhythm in this pandemic-shortened season, enduring 12 postponements for COVID-19 reasons. The Dragons' longest winning streak is the four-game run they are on at the moment, including three straight in the CAA tourney.

Entering the CAA event as the sixth seed, Drexel stopped College of Charleston and Northeastern to reach the final. Eighth-seeded Elon was waiting there for the Dragons, who won a 63-56 grinder to earn their first NCAA bid in 25 years.

Game time is 12:15 local time this afternoon.