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NCAA tournament

Exclusive with Morez Johnson, Key Building Block for 2025-26 Illini

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(Update: Morez Johnson officially enters the transfer portal, just three days after this exclusive interview was first published) Unfortunately, it's already time to look ahead to next season, Illini basketball fans. Once again, the second round of the NCAA Tournament continues to be a bugaboo/road block (they have exited the tourney in this exact round in five of their last … [Read more...] about Exclusive with Morez Johnson, Key Building Block for 2025-26 Illini

How Illini Stars Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic First Got Into Hoops

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Illinois stars Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time tonight, as the #6 seed Illini beat #11 seed Xavier 86-73 in the first round at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Until Friday night, the pair of Eastern European sharpshooters has only watched it from afar, on television. Jakucionis, a combo guard with high NBA Draft stock from … [Read more...] about How Illini Stars Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic First Got Into Hoops

Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule

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Tomorrow will mark the fifth time that the Illinois Fighting Illini face the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament. UK has won all four of the previous meetings: 1942 Elite Eight: 46-44,1949 Final Four 76-47, 1951 Final Four 76-74 and 1984 Elite Eight 54-51. That last one has a special historical significance, as it was played at Rupp Arena and thereby gave UK an unfair … [Read more...] about Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule

Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes

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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

Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials

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Friday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 35th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and fifth in a row following an 8-year drought. It would have been six in a row, had the covid-19 pandemic not cancelled the 2020 tournament. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 45-35. Their March Madness destination is Milwaukee, the Fiserv Forum, and their … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials

All-Time March Madness All-Name Teams

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When it comes to creative names in the college sports these days, the Key & Peele "East-West College Bowl" sketches changed the game forever. Remember that this March Madness. Jordan Peele and Michael Keegan are two brilliant humorists and social theorists, and their three part sketch about the uniqueness of player names is a must watch for anyone who has been involved … [Read more...] about All-Time March Madness All-Name Teams

Virginia Cavaliers Should Beat Auburn, According to Data Models

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During a four day span in March of 2016, the United Center in Chicago, Illinois hosted two events that had served as a major crossroads in the recent history of Virginia Cavaliers basketball. On Sunday March 27, Virginia blew a 16 point lead to a #10 seeded Syracuse team that most people believed only got into the big dance due to their brand name. The epic collapse in this … [Read more...] about Virginia Cavaliers Should Beat Auburn, According to Data Models

Big Ten Has Three National Title Contenders, but None are Among the Favorites

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Lots of college basketball pundits have deemed the Big Ten the strongest conference in the nation this season, and the numbers seen to verify this. From top to bottom, it's the strongest conference in the country, but it's strongest teams aren't among the elite of the elite nationally. The Big Ten has three teams, #6 Michigan State, #10 Michigan and #13 Purdue that have a … [Read more...] about Big Ten Has Three National Title Contenders, but None are Among the Favorites

Michigan vs. Louisville: 2013 National Championship drinking game

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Welcome to the fifth annual NCAA Tournament National Championship Drinking Game, one of our favorite articles every year here at The Sports Bank.  If you missed our first four editions, you can check out the 2009 Michigan State vs. North Carolina version, the 2010 Butler vs. Duke edition, 2011's UConn vs. Butler, and last year's Kentucky vs. Kansas drinking game. Even if you … [Read more...] about Michigan vs. Louisville: 2013 National Championship drinking game