The 2024 March Madness had quite a bit of unthinkable things happen in this year’s “Big Dance.” From NC State’s historic run, Oakland upsetting Kentucky, and UConn winning back-to-back national championships. But the one thing that stood out to me the most was the Elite 8 run by the University of Illinois. Their first Elite 8 appearance since 2005, and as an Illini fan I didn’t get to witness that as I wasn’t born yet. After all the talks about the Illini not making it far in the tournament to losing in the first round. As an Illini fan, I heard it everywhere and from everyone. And all I could do was just believe in the team and that’s what I did.
Many people didn’t expect the Illini to do well in the season not alone in March Madness. From suspensions to losing to teams that they should have beaten. There were many reasons why this year was gonna be like all of the previous seasons. Each year the team makes the tournament just to lose the first or second round to a team that they should beat. Watching your favorite team lose to small schools that you haven’t heard of stinks because you know they can compete with the best.
The Illini were given the third seed in the east bracket as they would face Morehead St. in the first round. Illini would win that contest 85-69 in a great momentum win for the Illini to head into the second round. This win would give them so much momentum heading into the second round as they would play a well-rounded Duquesne team. But Duquesne was no match for the Illini as they would win 89-63. The Illini would move on to the Sweet Sixteen to play number two-ranked Iowa State. That game was a dog fight as it was neck and neck the whole entire game. Both teams were trading leads until late in the fourth quarter when the Illini got a defensive stop and took a three-point lead with only a couple of seconds left in the game. The Illini’s defense got the stop to win the very close game.
With that win, the Illini would be heading to the Elite Eight. This would be their first Elite Eight appearance since 2005, the year they made it to the Final Four. In this elite eight-game, they would have to face college basketball juggernaut, UConn. UConn was beating their opponents by 20-30 points in the tournament. Proving that they were the best team in the tournament and were going for back-to-back national championships. In this game, the Illini were holding their ground; scoring points, playing great defense, and even taking a lead at times. The Illini were playing great team basketball in the first half, led by Marcus Domask, a transfer from SIUC who had 17 points for the Illini. Heading into halftime the Illini were trailing the Huskies, 28-23. Illinois was looking to have a great second half as they were keeping up with the Huskies. But coming out of halftime UConn had a switch of mindset as they came out on fire. Out scoring Illinois 30-0. The Illini’s defense was no match for the Huskies big man, Donovan Clingan who had 22 points and 10 rebounds. In the Huskies blowout win over the Illini, 77-52.
Even though they didn’t make it further than the Elite Eight, Illini fans were happy for the team’s performance in the tournament. Proving that Illinois Basketball can hang with the best teams in the country and can be on the topic of best in the country. And finally overcoming the 19-year drought of not making it past the Sweet Sixteen.
Many fans are hopeful for next year’s season as the team should be as good or even better than before.
