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The Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year, marking their 33rd appearance in college basketball’s prestigious “Big Dance.” Throughout their history in the tournament, the Illini have had numerous unforgettable March Madness moments, as well as some frustrating ones that have left fans exasperated. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most memorable highs and lows in Fighting Illini NCAA Tournament history.
You can place bets on Illinois teams at the state’s retail sportsbooks, but it is not permitted to do so using one of the seven online sports betting apps in the state.
Illinois comes into the game against the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks with a record of 20-12. They are the No. 9 seed in the West Regional and will compete in the first round on Thursday.
Worst Illini moment: April 1, 1989 – Final Four loss to Michigan
The 1988-89 Illini team, also known as the “Flying Illini,” was possibly one of the most skilled teams ever put together in the history of the school. It featured all the key players from the previous season, including Kenny Battle, Kendall Gill, Nick Anderson, and more.
The Fighting Illini made it to the Final Four in Seattle, where they squared off against Michigan, a team they had defeated twice during conference matches. After a game with 33 lead changes, the score was tied at 81. In the final moments, Michigan guard Sean Higgins grabbed a missed three-pointer and scored a putback, giving Michigan an 83-81 lead with two seconds remaining. The Illini attempted a length-of-the-court inbounds pass, but it was intercepted by Michigan’s Glen Rice as the clock ran out.
Illini fans had a tough time with this one. It was Illinois’ fourth appearance in the Final Four, and the team had the potential to take home the championship. The loss in this game was truly devastating.
Best: March 26, 2005: Comeback win over Arizona to advance to Final Four
The 2004-05 Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team is considered one of the best teams in the university’s history, alongside the ’88-’89 squad. They tied the NCAA record for most wins in a season with 37 victories, finishing with an impressive 37-2 record.
The Illini were guided by a three-guard starting lineup of Deron Williams, Dee Brown, and Luther Head. However, they faced a tough challenge against the Arizona Wildcats in the Elite Eight on their journey to the Final Four.
With only 4 minutes remaining in regulation, the Illini were down by 15 points to the Wildcats. However, what came next was a remarkable sequence of events for Illinois. Through a combination of three-pointers and steals, the Illini managed to reduce the deficit to just three points in a thrilling comeback. They continued to press aggressively, resulting in another steal that set up Williams for a crucial three-pointer. This shot is widely considered one of the most significant moments in Illinois basketball history.
The Illini continued to push in overtime, extending their lead to 90-84. Despite a late rally from the Wildcats, they managed to secure a 90-89 victory in overtime and clinch a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 1989.
Best and worst: April 4, 2005: Championship loss to UNC
Bruce Weber’s team was gearing up for a tough showdown in the championship game against Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Both teams boasted players who would go on to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
UNC took control in the first half, leading 40-27 at halftime. Despite a strong comeback from Illinois to tie the game at 70, North Carolina regained the lead with a crucial tap-in by Marvin Williams. Illinois had opportunities to take the lead but couldn’t convert, leading to a steal by Raymond Felton and free throws that sealed the 75-70 victory for North Carolina.
This championship game will be remembered for years to come as one of the most memorable in recent history, featuring two No. 1 seeds with NBA-level talent. While it may be disappointing for some Illini fans, this team had a highly successful season. In 2014, Sports Illustrated named the 2005 Illinois team as the best team to never win a national title.
Worst: March 18, 2006: Blown 11-point lead to Washington
Sadly, the Illini were caught off guard this time. With Williams and Head being drafted into the NBA, Dee Brown took center stage and guided the team to the No. 4 seed in the Washington, D.C., Regional bracket.
In the second round against the No. 5 seed Washington Huskies, the Illini took an 11-point lead in the second half. However, Brandon Roy from the Huskies spearheaded a comeback, putting Washington ahead by three points with just six seconds remaining in the game.
Brown made a final attempt with a three-pointer that ricocheted off the back iron, securing Washington’s victory with a score of 67-64.
The Illini were not expected to win the tournament this season, but a victory in this game could have opened the door for a potential back-to-back trip to the Final Four. They would have faced off against a UConn team, who would later fall to the underdog George Mason in the Elite Eight.
Worst: March 21, 2021: Upset by Loyola-Chicago
Losing to a lower-seeded team in the NCAA Tournament is tough, but it’s even more difficult when that team is a smaller school from the same state. The situation becomes even more disheartening when the game turns into a lopsided blowout.
In 2021, the Fighting Illini took on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in the second round, a team known for their surprising journey to the Final Four in 2018.
The game was completely one-sided as Loyola-Chicago maintained a comfortable lead throughout, ultimately winning 71-58. The Illini struggled to make their three-point shots and committed 17 turnovers, resulting in a clear victory for Loyola-Chicago over the top-seeded Illinois team.
The Illinois men’s basketball team appears to be on the rise, finishing the season with a 20-12 record and earning their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Will they be able to deliver some March Madness excitement this year? Only time will tell.
