Illinois Basketball: Top 5 most important players for the Illini

The Illinois basketball team has a pivotal season coming up that will hopefully see the end of their postseason drought.

In my time as an Illinois basketball fan, I have seen the highest of highs. The NCAA tournament run back in 2005 that led to the title game where Illinois barely fell to North Carolina was some of the best times as a sports fan.

But, the lowest of lows have happened recently. That title run seems so long ago in part because of the five-year drought the Illini have been on. They haven’t made the NCAA tournament since 2013 and this has to stop. That is why I put together a list of the top five Illini players who will get us back to the promise land.

Every Illinois player is important. They will all have their role in the journey back to the dance floor. But, there are a select few who will determine if the team can get over the hump or if they will flounder once again and make it six straight missed NCAA tournaments.

This upcoming season is going to be nerve-racking, but I think the team can do it. They can get back to the postseason.

Here are the top five most important players for the Illini.