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Illinois Basketball: Top 3 Illini teams of the 2010s

By Rees Woodcock

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 24: Brandon Paul
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 24: Brandon Paul /
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TULSA, OK – MARCH 18: Demetri McCamey #32 and Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate after a play against the UNLV Rebels during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 18, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK – MARCH 18: Demetri McCamey #32 and Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate after a play against the UNLV Rebels during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 18, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Senior leadership

The Illinois basketball team finished the 2009-2010 campaign on a low note. They were poised to make the NCAA tournament with a 17-8 record, only to lose five out of their final six games. This landed them in the NIT.

Entering the 2010-11 campaign, Illinois was looking to make a run. They had what looked to be a legendary recruiting class coming in that included future NBA player, Meyers Leonard. This was going to be the start of something special.

Illinois started quickly, winning 10 of their first 11 games and climbing up to No. 12 in the rankings. There were a couple of tough losses that season, but the Illini also had some big wins. They beat No. 17 Michigan State, Maryland and won on the road against Iowa.

The 19-win regular season had Illinois in the postseason. Despite a loss in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini clinched the No. 9 seed in the postseason. In the first round against No. 8 UNLV, the Illini had complete control, led by seniors Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey.

Davis led the Illini in scoring for the game with 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He also had 9 rebounds and 5 assists to go along with his tremendous scoring night. McCamey was also sensational, as he put up 17 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds.

Overall, the 2010-11 Illinois basketball team had a lot of talent. While they ended up falling to No. 1 Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament, this squad made a solid run. McCamey and Davis averaged 14.6 points and 12.5 points, respectively, that season. Senior Mike Tisdale checked in with 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as well.

This senior-laden bunch did some impressive things. They are one of the best teams I have seen Illinois put out on the basketball court in the 2010s.

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