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Illinois Basketball: Illini are my only hope for a normal fan life

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team is my last hope to have some normalcy of fandom this year.

I say this statement coming off a bad Illinois football loss. It was actually the worst loss in program history, and the Illini have been playing football since before Babe Ruth was born. We were able to witness history on Saturday against Iowa, but too bad it was the wrong side of history.

This loss by the football team dropped the Illini to 4-7 and out of bowl eligibility. We are now on our fourth-straight year of missed postseasons and have only made one in the last seven seasons. Illinois has only made five total bowl games since the turn over the century as well. The emotions that run through me for the football team include sadness, anger and depression. That is why the basketball team is the only way I can have a normal sports fandom.

Ironically enough, the Illinois basketball team’s postseason drought has been longer than the football team. They have missed five-straight postseason bids. But, this season feels different. It feels like this Illini basketball team is better than years past. It feels like they are going to win some games and get to the NCAA tournament. Let me phrase it this way; I need them to make the NCAA tournament.

Illinois is only 1-1 this season with their last game being a loss to Georgetown. The Illini were shorthanded, though, so I am not too worried about this loss. But, the upcoming schedule is going to get tougher for this team. They play No. 3 Gonzaga on Monday night to start the Maui Invitational. They then play either Iowa State or Arizona. This is a tough start to this season.

Even with the tough start, I think this Illinois team has the ability to win a game or two in the Maui. They are talented. They are also my only chance to have a normal fan life. Other fans get the privilege to watch at least one of their teams win games. I can’t even imagine what it is like to be a Duke, North Carolina or Kentucky fan.

Yes, I had a taste of the good life in the early 2000’s that spanned about six years, but that was just a taste. The fans of these teams that always make the NCAA tournament have it so good. And then you look at teams like Kentucky who now have both their basketball and football team’s competitive. I am so jealous.

Next. 5 observations from the Illini loss to Iowa. dark

So, Illinois basketball, you are my only chance to have a normal fan life. Please, please win some basketball games this season and get to the NCAA tournament. For my sanity, for the sanity of the Illini fan base, we need this.

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