Beware the ides of March.
It’s a heady bit of advice given to Julius Ceaser, but Shakespeare’s classic line most certainly applies to college basketball players and their coaches. Mid-March marks not only conference tournaments, but the big dance itself: the NCAA Tournament.
Last year’s Illini shared the fate of Ceaser, bowing out far earlier than they would have liked. However, just like spring brings new life, a new season brings fresh hopes and aspirations.
Although the 2021-22 Illini lost their best player and leader in Ayo Dosunmu to the NBA, this current iteration arguably — and astonishingly — surpassed them, at least in one aspect.