Illinois basketball set a standard for the University after reaching its first Final Four since the 2004-05 season.
They have reached a point in the Brad Underwood era where we should expect success, whether it's on the court or on the recruiting trail. Underwood has brought the men's program a long way during his tenure, reaching the NCAA tournament in each of the last six years.
The 2026-27 season is poised to be spectacular, and the students in Champaign can smell it. They showed that enthusiasm on Tuesday when student season tickets sold out in a record-setting nine minutes.
Not bad, @TheOrangeKrush. Not bad.
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) September 22, 2026
STUDENT SEASON TICKETS SOLD OUT IN NINE MINUTES. pic.twitter.com/o6fFV65wCB
According to Illinois Athletics, this is the sixth year in a row that Orange Krush tickets have sold out, with the time of sale breaking down as follows;
2021-22: Less than three hours
2022-23: 36 minutes
2023-24: Less than 24 hours
2024-25: 26 minutes
2025-26: 18 minutes
2026-27: Nine minutes
There is a buzz around campus for this season. Five of Illinois' top scorers from the Final Four team are returning. They will open up the season on November 2 against Fairleigh Dickinson to tip off their non-conference schedule.
The Orange Krush will make the State Farm Center a tough place to play at this season
It feels like 2004 again, as fans scooped up whatever tickets they could in preparation for a stellar season. The Orange Krush proved to the country that they are the best fanbase in college sports and how much they truly care about their teams.
Illinois athletics are deeply ingrained in the fabric of the University of Illinois, with students showing their support every chance they get. It doesn't matter if it's through ticket sales or through purchases made at the NIL store; the Orange Krush is a top-notch student section.
We all knew that the State Farm Center was going to sell out this season after the run the men's basketball program went on last season. But for the students to sell out the season tickets in nine minutes? That's a level of fandom that supersedes all others.
Thank you to the student body for supporting our boys. Let's get ready for the ride of our lives!
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