Illinois Basketball: Recapping a Successful 2023-2024 Season
Though it was not the best note to end on, Illinois Basketball‘s 2023-2024 season has come to an end. The magical 7-game-win streak came to a screeching halt at the hands of the defending national champions. Illinois Basketball was simply outclassed, but this program should leave any fan feeling sour. This was the most successful Illinois Basketball season since 2005. Despite the ending that just occurred, I just wanted to highlight two items among many memories from this season. Illinois Basketball won the Big Ten Tournament and made the Elite Eight.
A Big Ten Tournament Championship
The run to a Big Ten Tournament Championship was probably the most eye-opening for me. Illinois Basketball came into the tournament leaving fans wanting more, particularly on the defensive end. They fell short at home against Purdue and fans were thinking that this team had a limited ceiling. That looked to be true to start as Illinois fell behind 10 points to Ohio State with around 11 minutes to go in the second half. However, that moment was when Illinois found its magic. They won that game against the Buckeyes and subsequently won the Big Ten Tournament.
An Elite Eight
Illinois basketball started their NCAA tournament with some alarm bells going off. They fell to an early 9-0 deficit against Morehead State and fans had that all-familiar feeling of panic in March. They then came alive again and dominated the rest of the game and the next. I think the one moment I will never forget for a very long time was staying up until 1 in the morning on a stress-filled night to watch Illinois hold off Iowa State. Clinching the Elite Eight for the first time in so long was just a surreal feeling and I will never forget the amount of pride I felt for my alma mater and for a school I am blessed to talk about.
The University of Illinois is a special place filled with special human beings. Their basketball team had its best season in my adult life so far and they will certainly make more memories. However, for the ones that have been created this year, I thank the team and everyone who rocks with the Illini.
I-L-L!
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