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Illinois Basketball: History of Illini upsets in the NCAA tournament

By Rees Woodcock

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: A detail of a net hanging from the rim with an official NBA 2012 Orlando NBA All-Star logo during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: A detail of a net hanging from the rim with an official NBA 2012 Orlando NBA All-Star logo during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: A detail view of the March Madness logo that is embossed into the official tournament basketballs is seen during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: A detail view of the March Madness logo that is embossed into the official tournament basketballs is seen during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1987 – No. 3 Illinois v No. 14 Austin Peay

By the 1987 NCAA tournament, the field had turned into a full 64-team bracket. That means it was harder to win a title with so many teams vying for the same goal. That also means there is a chance for bigger upsets and Illinois was victim to just that.

This NCAA tournament had some big names in it as well. The No. 1 seeds were North Carolina led by Kenny Smith, Indiana led by Keith Smart and Steve Alford, Georgetown led by Reggie Williams and UNLV who had Armen Gilliam and Freddie Banks.

Sadly, Indiana won the national title in 1987. They were a pretty good team that featured some extremely talented players. There were a few upsets in the tournament as well. No. 6 Providence made it to the Final 4. No. 13 Xavier beat No. 4 Missouri that season as well. Oh yeah, and Illinois might have lost as a No. 3 seed.

Illinois had a really good team in 1986-87. They were led by Ken Norman who averaged 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Illini even finished the regular season 23-7. But, then they went up against the Austin Peay Governors. Illinois didn’t play badly. They had four players with 12 or more points. But, they were 0-of-7 from three-point range and Austin Peay was hitting.

The Governors had Lawrence Mitchell and Darryl Bedford each drop 22 and 24 points, respectively. Austin Peay also shot 6-of-16 from three-point range as well. This recipe spells disaster and it did for the Illini that day. No. 3 Illinois fell to No. 14 Austin Peay 68-67. The Governors would come close to nipping Providence in the next round but fell by three points.

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