Illinois Basketball: Top 10 Fighting Illini Basketball Teams of All Time
The Bill Self era was in full swing when the 2001-2002 Illinois basketball team stepped onto the court. They went into that season ranked 3rd in the preseason polls and were looking to build on the year before.
In Self’s first season the Illini were great. They won 27 games and the writing was on the wall for more great things to come.
Illinois had superstar guard Frank Williams coming back for what would be his last year at Illinois. In 2001-2002 he was scoring at a clip that was rarely seen in the history of the Illinois basketball program.
Williams averaged 16.2 points per game while also adding in 4.7 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game. He would enter the NBA Draft after this season.
Alongside Williams was a cast of players that held their own. Cory Bradford ended up setting the NCAA record for consecutive games with a three-point field goal made at 88.
Brian Cook ended up going in the NBA Draft and had a successful 12 year career in the league. Robert Archibald was also drafted. He spent four seasons in the NBA and finally finished up his career in Europe. He also is a contributor on the Great Britain team in the Olympics.
This cast helped propel the Illini to great heights. They entered the NCAA Tournament that season as a No. 4 seed. After a double-digit wins against San Diego State and Creighton, Illinois advanced to the Sweet 16 to take on the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks.
The Illini fell just short in that game but this team will never be forgotten.
That team was one of the best the Illini have ever had. They go down as one of the top 10 teams in Illinois basketball history.
Next: #9 Best Illinois Basketball Team