Nearly two weeks ago, Purdue’s prospects for a long March Madness run looked poor, and Illinois’ appeared worse.Matt Painter’s Purdue crew was suffering through the program’s first four-game losing streak in five years. Meanwhile, Brad Underwood’s bunch was dealing with national ridicule after taking a 43-point beatdown from Duke — the largest loss in Illinois’ 120-year history.But look at what a fabulous fortnight can do.As the 18th-ranked Boilermakers (21-9, 13-6) and the Illini (19-11, 11-8) prepare for their Big Ten Conference regular-season finale Friday night in Champaign, Ill., both squads have regained the swagger necessary to make some amazing March memories.Illinois worked out its anger over the 110-67 loss to Duke on Feb. 22 at Madison Square Garden by burying Iowa and then-No. 15 Michigan by 20 points apiece.”I couldn’t be prouder of a group of guys than I am this group,” Underwood said. “After New York, it would have been very easy to pitch a tent and say, ‘We’re done. We don’t want to fight very hard.'”This group has done just the opposite. (We had) some of the best practices of the year. Nice to be able to practice. But just to get the energy back in practice, it allows you to improve and get better.”Illinois’ most tangible improvement came at the 3-point line. After shooting just 26.2 percent from long range in the previous 12 games, the Illini shot 37.8 percent (14 of 37) in a 93-73 victory over Michigan.Purdue, meanwhile, got its groove back by beating UCLA and Rutgers at home. In Tuesday’s 100-71 win over the Scarlet Knights, junior point guard Braden Smith — the favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year honors — posted 23 points, nine assists, seven 3-pointers and five rebounds in 32 minutes.