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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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21 Dec 1996: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lon Kreuger confers with guard Kiwane Garris during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois won the game, 79-63.
21 Dec 1996: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lon Kreuger confers with guard Kiwane Garris during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois won the game, 79-63. /

1997 – No. 6 Illinois v No. 14 Chattanooga

The Illinois basketball team was pretty average toward the end of the Lou Henson era. They were still making the NCAA tournament but weren’t really a contender to go deep. But, Lon Kruger stepped in and attempted to turn this program back into a national title contender. He impressed the fan base in his first season in Champaign by making the NCAA tournament with a 21-9 record.

That postseason featured some great NBA players. The No. 1 seeds were North Carolina who had Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter, Minnesota featuring Bobby Jackson, Kansas with Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce and Kentucky with Ron Mercer.

There were some massive upsets in this NCAA tournament. No. 10 Texas, No. 15 Coppin State, No. 12 College of Charleston and No. 10 Providence all advanced to at least the second round. Another upset-minded team was No. 14 Chattanooga. They ended up beating No. 3 Georgia in the first round of the tournament. That means the Illini – who beat No. 11 USC in the first round – would have a second-round matchup against this hot Cinderella Story.

Illinois took a one-point lead into halftime against Chattanooga. They played well with Kiwane Garris leading the way with 19 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Illinois also had Matt Heldman and Chris Gandy Drop 11 and 13 points, respectively. The Illini ended up dealing with some foul trouble and this is one ingredient in an upset recipe.

The Mocs had five guys score at least 11 points led by Willie Young who dropped 15 points. This enabled them to fight back in the second half and outscore Illinois by 13 points. No. 6 Illinois dropped the second round matchup against No. 14 Chattanooga, 75-63.

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