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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini duos since 2000

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 2, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrate during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) celebrate during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS – MARCH 19: James Augustine #40 (2nd R) of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks to teammates Luther Head #4 (R), Dee Brown #11 (headband) Deron Williams (obsecured) and Jack Ingram #50 (C) in a hudle during their 71-59 win over the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second round game of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament March 19, 2005 at RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS – MARCH 19: James Augustine #40 (2nd R) of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks to teammates Luther Head #4 (R), Dee Brown #11 (headband) Deron Williams (obsecured) and Jack Ingram #50 (C) in a hudle during their 71-59 win over the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second round game of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament March 19, 2005 at RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Dee Brown & James Augustine

  • 27.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 3.0 steals
  • Round 32, Sweet 16, National Title, Round 32

Dee Brown was an incredible basketball player for the Illini, and you are going to run into his name multiple times on this list. At the No. 4 spot of the best Illini duos since 2000, you will find Brown and his big man, James Augustine.

Augustine isn’t looked at as an all-time great for the Illini. He seems to be on the backburner of the players you think of when you talk about the national title run. But this kid had all of the talent in the world, and he put up some big numbers in Champaign.

Brown and Augustine came into the Illinois basketball program together in 2002-03. From that point on, the team saw tremendous success. They made it to the second round as freshmen. A Sweet 16 trip was to follow as sophomores. As juniors, that amazing national title run happened that saw Illinois come so close to winning it all. And, as seniors, the duo was able to get the Illini back to the NCAA tournament and make it to the second round again.

Four NCAA tournament appearances and every year they got out of the first round. Brown and Augustine put up some incredible numbers along the way as well. In that final year together, they combined for 27.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 3 steals per game. The great individual and team success are what put this duo at No. 4.

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