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Illinois Basketball: 5 teams the Illini need to play in the NCAA tournament

By Rees Woodcock

Michigan guard Eli Brooks (55) makes a layup against Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) and center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
Michigan guard Eli Brooks (55) makes a layup against Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) and center Kofi Cockburn (21) during the first half Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. /
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ST. LOUIS – APRIL 04: Raymond Felton #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels fends off the Illinois Fighting Illini defense for a rebound in the second half during the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS – APRIL 04: Raymond Felton #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels fends off the Illinois Fighting Illini defense for a rebound in the second half during the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. North Carolina Tar Heels

There are some people who might be reading this and wondering why I put North Carolina in the top five. If you are 21 years old or younger, the Tar Heels probably don’t mean too much to you, but they do to me.

The magic that the 2004-05 season had was something special. A legendary Illinois team had one loss on the season, and even that defeat was slopped into by Ohio State. But this team was one for the ages. They were trucking in the NCAA tournament as well. After an amazing comeback against Arizona, the Illini then steamrolled Louisville to get to the national title game.

What was the challenge facing the Illini? The North Carolina Tar Heels.

This wasn’t your regular North Carolina team, though. Most programs have one or two future NBA players, but not this team. The Tar Heels trotted out six future NBA players. The highest draft pick for North Carolina in 2005, Marvin Williams who went No. 2 in the 2005 NBA Draft, came off the bench. That is how good the Tar Heels were that season.

Illinois was so close to winning the national title that year. If James Augustine didn’t get into foul trouble early on in the game, things would have been different. But he did get into foul trouble, and Illinois still managed to only lose the game 75-70. Side note, I actually pick this as my final score every year on my bracket I fill out.

It would be amazing to face off against North Carolina again in the NCAA tournament. This time, we can send the Tar Heels home with a loss. I know it wouldn’t feel as good as winning the national title back in 2005, but if we can beat North Carolina en route to a title this year, that would help heal those wounds nearly two decades ago.

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