Illinois Basketball: We are in a new age of Illini basketball

Can you believe there is an entire generation of Illinois basketball fans who haven’t had the chance to experience how good this program can be?

I had the great privilege of coming into my fandom when Illinois was coming out of a downturn. I have zero memories of Lou Henson coaching the Illini, so the first head coach I got to really experience was Lon Kruger.

Kruger was just getting this program going again when I started to really develop my love for the Orange and Blue. A rough season in 1998-99 led to a miracle run to the Big Ten Championship game as the worst seed in the conference tournament.

This was the tipping point of Illini basketball.

Illinois would go on to make eight straight NCAA tournament appearances after that incredible run to the conference title game. Two Sweet 16 trips, an Elite 8 showing and the glorious run to the national title was in that mix.

If you are 22 years old or younger, you probably have vague memories of this or none at all.

That is one of the reasons why I am so happy Illinois is starting the season ranked as the No. 8 team in the nation.

I am speaking to the younger generation of Illini fans here. That feeling of butterflies, those goosebumps that litter your arms, that is how an Illinois fan felt during the golden years of the program in the early to mid-2000s.

Getting to feel that feeling again, and having that feeling shared with younger Illini fans, it is exciting to me as a fan. Most of the generation that I am referring to has only had a smattering of NCAA tournament showings and none deeper than the second round.

Yes, last year was great and Illinois was going to make the NCAA tournament. But the rankings that were released by the Associated Press on Monday brought a new age of Illinois basketball. We aren’t just competing to make the postseason anymore. We are a national title contender once again.