Feb 2, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) high fives Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood (L) during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Illinois basketball has had a two-year run of success that fans have been yearning for the last couple of decades.
In 2019-20, the pandemic was the only thing that could stop the Illini from getting back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in seven seasons. That same great team, plus a few key additions, returned this past season and entered the Big Dance as a No.