Thursday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 36th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and sixth in a row. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 46-36. As a Xennial, (neither Gen-X nor millenial) generation member, my Illini fandom experience begins in 1991, a few years before I enrolled at the school. On this March Madness eve, let's stroll … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials and Xennials
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Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
The 2024-25 Illinois basketball team will begin their NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday night's Texas vs. Xavier First Four play-in game. Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood will no doubt have his team believing: "We're gonna make our dreams come true...Doin' it our way...Nothin's gonna turn us back now. Straight ahead and on … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood has been great for the program, on a big picture level. He inherited a dumpster fire from John Groce, and within three-to-four years he had the Illini nationally relevant again. And overall, Illinois basketball is in a great place. Credit Athletic Director Josh Whitman on this hire. However, every season of the Underwood era, or so it … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
St. Louis Cardinals postseason inspiration for Illini NCAA Tournament hopes
The St. Louis Cardinals are huge in Champaign-Urbana. They compete with primarily the Chicago Cubs, but also the White Sox to be the favorite MLB team in the community dominated by the University of Illinois campus. The Cards do come first though, and perhaps Illini coach Bruce Weber knew that when he made his appeal to Illini Nation that his team's post-season chances aren't … [Read more...] about St. Louis Cardinals postseason inspiration for Illini NCAA Tournament hopes
Illini Season Ends at the Hands of Kansas
Two "Chicago" college basketball teams saw their season end late last night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were eliminated at the hands of the Florida State Seminoles, and Illinois was bounced from the tourney by the Kansas Jayhawks. … [Read more...] about Illini Season Ends at the Hands of Kansas
Illini get Tourney Win, Need to Beat a Higher Seed
It was a pretty sweet NCAA Tourney win for the Illinois Fighting Illini last night. They absolutely crushed UNLV, and former Illinois Coach Lon Kruger in game that was much more lopsided than the final box score indicates. And it was their first Tournament win in a half decade. That pretty much makes this season the most successful one in Champaign since 2006. For one … [Read more...] about Illini get Tourney Win, Need to Beat a Higher Seed
Illinois NCAA Tournament #9 Seed, Playing #8 UNLV, in Tulsa
The Illini just found out they're headed to Tulsa take on UNLV Running Rebels from the Mountain West in the first game (second round) of the NCAA Tournament, college basketball's premier event. They'll be seeded #9 while their opponent, the Running Rebels are seeded #9. Yes indeed, they are facing their old Head Coach Lon Kruger. Illinois to 2-4 on a neutral court this … [Read more...] about Illinois NCAA Tournament #9 Seed, Playing #8 UNLV, in Tulsa