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{{Short description|Men's basketball team of the University of Illinois}}
{{unreferencedarticle}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox CBB Team
{{Infobox college basketball team
|name = Illinois Fighting Illini
| name = Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
|logo = UIUCillini.jpg
| current = 2024–25 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
|logo_size = 150px
| logo = Illinois Fighting Illini logo.svg
|university = University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| logo_size = 100
|conference = Big Ten Conference
| university = ]
|conference_short = Big Ten
| firstseason = 1905–06; {{years or months ago|1905}}
|division =
| athletic_director = ]
|city = Champaign
| conference = ]
|stateabb = IL
| record = 1,901–1,060 ({{Winpct|1901|1060}})
|state = Illinois
| location = ]
|coach = ]
| coach = ]
|tenure = 4th
| tenure = 8th
|arena = ]
| arena = ]
|capacity = 16,618
| capacity = 15,544
|nickname = ]
| nickname = ]
|color1 = Orange
| studentsection = ]
|color2 = Blue
| h_body = 13294B
|hex1 = FF7F00
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|hex2 = 000080
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|conference_tournament = 2003, 2005
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| 3_pattern_s = _thinorangesides
| NCAAchampion2 = 1915
| NCAAchampion3 = 1915
| NCAArunnerup = 2005
| NCAAfinalfour = 1949, 1951, 1952, 1989, 2005
| NCAAeliteeight = 1942, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1989, 2001, 2005, 2024
| NCAAsweetsixteen = 1951, 1952, 1963, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2024
| NCAAroundof32 = 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2024
| NCAAtourneys = 1942, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
| conference_tournament = 2003, 2005, 2021, 2024
| conference_season = 1915, 1917, 1924, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2022
}} }}


The '''] men's basketball team''' is a NCAA Division I ] team competing in the ]. Home games are played at ], located on ]'s campus in ]. The '''Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team''' is an ] ] team competing in the ], that represent the ]. Home games are played at the ], located on the ]'s campus in ]. Illinois has one pre-tournament national championship and one non-NCAA tournament national championship in 1915 and 1943, awarded by the ]. Illinois has appeared in the ] 34 times, and has competed in 5 ], 10 ]s, and has won 18 Big Ten regular season championships, and 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships.


The team is currently coached by ], who was hired on March 18, 2017. Through the end of the 2023–24 season, Illinois ranks 13th all-time in ] and 13th all-time in ] among all NCAA Division I men's college basketball programs.
==Past Seasons==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
==History==
|- bgcolor="#FF7F00"
{{See also|List of Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball seasons}}
| <font color=navy blue>'''Season''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Overall Record''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Home Record''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Conference Record''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Conference Season/</br>Tournament Results''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Postseason'''

===1906–12: Early years===
]
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team began play during the ] with ] guiding the team to a 9–8 record as their first coach. ] took control of the team before the start of the ]. The team would win their first game but would end up dropping the next 10 contests.

Another coaching change led to ] being in charge of the team for the ]. After starting the season 14–1 in non-conference, Illinois would finish the season losing five of their 11 conference games, ending the year third in the ] with a 20–6 (6–5) record.

Even though Lane led a successful season, his style of coaching was deemed subpar. Former Illini player ] was then hired as the head coach of the ]. The Illini would not see the same success as the season prior, finishing the season with a 7–6 (5–6) record. Despite the struggles, Juul became the first coach in Illinois history to return for more than one season. However, the ] would be his last as the Illini finished with a 5–4 (5–4) record.

] took the reigns before the ]. The Illini would finish fourth in the Western Conference after earning a 6–6 (6–5) record. The ] was Thompson's last year as head coach of the Illini after they finished with an 8–8 (4–8) record.

===1912–20: Ralph Jones era===
Before the start of the ], Illinois hired former ] head coach, ]. During his three seasons in ], Jones compiled a 32–9 record, while also winning the previous two Western Conference titles. During his first season with Illinois, Jones led the Illini to a 10–6 record which was Illinois' second 10-win season in school history.

During the ], Illinois won their first-ever Big Ten title, going 16–0 (12–0). They were retroactively declared champion of that season by the ] and the ]. They would earn another Big Ten title during the ], sharing it with Minnesota.

===1936–47: Douglas Mills era===
]

Before the start of the ], ] began acting as the head coach and athletic director of the Illinois men's basketball team. In his first season, the Illini finished with a 14–4 (10–2) record, which was good enough to share the Big Ten title with Minnesota.

Before ] broke out, the Fighting Illini men's basketball program had achieved a status that had never been seen prior. Mills grouped a team of players, all around 6-foot-3, into a nearly undefeatable lineup later known as the "Whiz Kids". The ] freshman and sophomore lineup of ], ], ], ], Victor Wukovits, and ] dominated the Big Ten by posting a 13–2 conference record and winning the conference title outright. It would be their first unanimous Big Ten championship since 1915.

The Illini finished ] with a 17–1 (12–0) record, winning their second-straight Big Ten title. Despite being ranked No. 1 in the nation, they opted not to play in the ] after three of their five starters were called to duty in World War II. At the end of the season, they were named ].

The ], would be Mills' last season as the head coach of the Illini. The team ended the season with a 14–6 (8–4) record, finishing one game behind ] in the Big Ten standings. Under Mills, the Illini compiled a record of 151 wins and 66 losses while winning three conference championships in the process.

===1947–67: Harry Combes era===
] basketball coach ] was hired to succeed ] as Mills left the position to focus on his duties as the ]. Through his first five seasons as head coach, Combes led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Final Four appearances in ], ], and ].<ref name="Combes N-G">{{cite web| url=http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2012-01-22/tate-harry-combes-knew-about-offense.html | title=Harry Combes knew about offense | publisher=News-Gazette | author=Tate, Loren | date=January 22, 2012 | access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> During his tenure as coach, Combes increased the Fighting Illini's offensive output by changing their style of play. Combes implemented ] defense, causing ] at a high rate which translated into ] points.<ref name="Combes N-G" />

In 1951, Combes signed the first black player to don an Illinois uniform, 3x All-State point guard Walt Moore of Mount Vernon. Along with teammate and future Illinois standout Max Hooper, Moore led the Rams to back-to-back state championship titles, culminating with a perfect 33–0 record in 1950.

During the ] season, ] and ] were inserted into the starting lineup as the first two African-Americans to start and letter in basketball at Illinois.<ref name="alumniarticle">{{cite web | url=http://www.uialumninetwork.org/article.html?aid=583 | title=Three Illini Basketball Legends Join Honored Jerseys | work=University of Illinois Alumni Association | access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> Combes also oversaw the Illini's move from ] to ] in ] and during that same season the Illini won a fourth Big Ten Conference championship under Combes. However, the Illini lost to eventual national champion ] in the ] of the ]. The following ] season, saw several upset victories over defending national champion ] and national powerhouse ] at ] in ].<ref name="Combes N-G" />

Combes' tenure came to an end as a result of the ]. As head coach of the basketball team, he was primarily responsible for the basketball fund, and thus held a key role in the scandal. Assistant basketball coach ] also lost his job due to the scandal.

===1967–74: Harv Schmidt era===
Former Illini player ] was hired to fill the head coaching vacancy ten days after Combes' forced resignation. During his tenure, the Illini compiled an 89-77 overall record but went 43-55 in conference play. The team did not have any postseason appearances during his tenure.

===1974–75: Gene Bartow year===
] would later sign a five-year contract to replace Schmidt in 1974, but he left after one season in which the Illini finished last place in the conference to replace ] at UCLA.

===1975–96: Lou Henson era===
In 1975, after having taken ] (and future Illinois assistant coach ]) to the ], ] moved to the University of Illinois to replace ], after Bartow left Illinois to replace the legendary ] at UCLA. Henson would lead the Fighting Illini back to their glory after having a number of difficult years following the Illinois slush fund scandal (where Illinois was hit with severe penalties for infractions that other Big 10 schools had in years prior been punished much more leniently (according to ]) at the time). In 21 years at Illinois, Henson garnered 423 wins and 224 losses (.654 winning percentage), and with a record of 214 wins and 164 losses (.567) in Big Ten Conference games. The 214 wins in Big Ten games were the third highest total ever at the time of his retirement. At Illinois, Henson coached many future NBA players, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].

====Early 1980s====

In 1981, Illinois made strides in its return to the national spotlight with a 21–8 record, a third-place Big Ten finish and an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. The team received a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and beat Wyoming, 67–65, in Los Angeles to advance to the regionals in Salt Lake City, where Illinois lost to Kansas State, 57–52. During this season, the Fighting Illini led the Big Ten in scoring for the second consecutive season and were again led by Eddie Johnson and Mark Smith. Guards Craig Tucker and Derek Harper arrived to add backcourt punch, and Harper began his Illini career being named First-Team Freshman All-America by ESPN and ABC.

{{See also|1979–80 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team|1983–84 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team}}

====Flyin' Illini====
{{See also|1988–89 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team}}

The top-seeded and top-ranked 1989 Illini were upset 83–81 in the ] on a last second basket by ] ], ending the school's deepest run in the tournament at that time. Illinois had beaten the Wolverines by 12 and 16 points in two previous meetings that season. The 1988–89 Illinois Fighting Illini team gained the moniker "'']''" by ] during an ] broadcast that season. The team also gained national prominence for its athletic players, such as NCAA slam dunk champions ] and ], as well as ], ], ], and ].

====1990s====
The early 1990s Illini were dominated by players such as guards Andy Kauffman, Richard Keene, and Kiwane Garris, as well as centers Shelly Clark and ]. Thomas was at the center of a report of misconduct by ] assistant coach ], who alleged that Thomas had been offered cash to attend Illinois. The Illini were suspended from postseason play for one season for unrelated violations uncovered during the investigation.

===1996–00: Lon Kruger years===
After longtime coach ]'s departure, Illinois hired ] to fill the vacancy for the 1996 season. Kruger was the 14th head basketball coach in program history. During his four-year tenure he compiled a 59–38 record. He immediately made an impact at Illinois leading them to a 22–10 record and a second round NCAA tournament appearance in his first year. This created excitement because of the ninth-place finish the Illini had taken just before his arrival. Kruger inherited players such as Victor Chukwudebe, Jerry Hester, Kevin Turner, Jerry Gee, Matt Heldman, Brian Johnson, ] and Cleotis Brown. During his four seasons at Illinois, three of which resulted in NCAA Tournament berths, (all three of which saw the Illini eliminated in the 2nd round) Kruger became the only Big Ten coach to successfully sign three consecutive ] winners, inking ], ], and ] between 1997 and 1999.Several times during his coaching tenure the Illini were predicted to be at the bottom of the Big Ten, however he overcame adversity each time performing far better than expected.

===2000–03: Bill Self years===
Illinois picked Tulsa coach ] from a list of numerous candidates, including popular assistant ], to succeed Kruger, who moved on to the ] to coach the ]. Bill Self was hired to the Illini coaching staff as the 15th head coach in the history of the program. He spent his previous seven years as the head coach of Oral Roberts University and Tulsa University where he compiled an overall record of 129–71. In 2001, his first season at Illinois, Self coached his new Fighting Illini squad to a 27–8 record, a share of the Big Ten title, and a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That 27-game winning season in Self's first year was the second most winning season in school history at that time. McClain, Cook and preseason Big Ten player of the year Cory Bradford led the Illini to the Elite Eight, where they fell to eventual finalist ] in a much disputed contest. The Illini were accused of being overly physical most of the season, especially McClain and pesky guards Sean Harrington and Lucas Johnson (younger brother of former Illini forward Brian Johnson). The '01 Illini team also included ], ] and Marcus Griffin. With mostly the same core, Illinois followed up the season with impressive 2002 and 2003 campaigns, but fell in the Sweet 16 in 2002. He was the first head coach in the Big Ten, since 1912, to lead his team to conference championships in each of his first two seasons. It was also the first time Illinois won back-to-back titles in 50 years. Self, also, had an overall record of 78–24 in his three years as Illinois head coach. Self left for Kansas after the 2003 season.<ref name="illinihq1">{{cite web |url=http://illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2010/03/17/if_not_illinois_then_who |title=If not Illinois, then who? - Illinois Fighting Illini Sports Men's Basketball News - IlliniHQ.com |website=illinihq.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713010311/http://illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2010/03/17/if_not_illinois_then_who |archive-date=2011-07-13}}</ref>

===2003–12: Bruce Weber era===
] served as the head coach of Illinois basketball for nine seasons from 2003 to 2012.

After Bill Self left, Illinois AD Ron Guenther hired Weber to coach the Fighting Illini on April 30, 2003. Weber came from ] (SIU) in Carbondale and was touted as a loyal coach, which was valued by the Illinois AD after both Kruger and Self left Champaign with relatively short tenures. In his five seasons as head coach at SIU, Weber took the Saluki program to the top of the ], winning league titles in 2002 and 2003. He posted records of 28–8 and 24–7 in his last two seasons, leading the Salukis to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2002 with wins over Texas Tech and Georgia at the ] in ]. His .689 (62–28) winning percentage in MVC play ranked 12th in the long history of the league. Weber earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors following the 2003 season.

Illinois totaled 210 victories under Weber from 2004 to 2012. He ranks third on the Illinois career coaching wins list. He won 67.5 percent of his games while in charge of the Fighting Illini (210–101). Under Weber, the Illini had two Big Ten Championships (2004, 2005), two runner-up finishes (2006, 2009) and seven upper-division finishes.

Illinois had five players selected in the NBA draft under Weber, as ] (No. 3, Utah Jazz) and ] (No. 24, Houston Rockets) were taken in the first round of the ], and ] (No. 41, Orlando Magic) and ] (No. 46, Utah Jazz) were chosen in the second round of the ]. ] was chosen 11th by the ] in the ] following Weber's final season. Utah's selection of Williams at No. 3 overall in the 2005 lottery made him the highest-drafted player in Illinois history.

It took just one season for Weber to etch his name in the Big Ten and Illinois record books after leading the Fighting Illini to its first outright Big Ten title in 52 years during the 2003–04 season. In leading his young team that featured just one senior on the roster, Weber became just the third coach in the history of the Big Ten to win an outright title in his first season. Illinois had to win 10 straight to end the regular season to claim the championship, including six-straight wins on the road. Illinois' 26 wins in 2003–04 tied the fourth-winningest season in school history. Weber also led the Illini to the Sweet 16 with NCAA Tournament victories over Murray State and Cincinnati.

Weber's second year at Illinois, the 2004–05 season, will be remembered as one of the greatest in Fighting Illini history, finishing 37–2 as the National Runner-Up in the NCAA tournament. In a remarkable year where Illinois celebrated its centennial season of basketball, the Illini reeled off 29 straight wins to start the year, tying the 12th-best start in NCAA Div. I history and the third-best start in Big Ten history. Illinois also secured its second-straight outright Big Ten championship with a 15–1 league record, as Weber became the first coach in Big Ten history to win consecutive outright titles in his first two seasons. Illinois then added a Big Ten tournament championship in addition to its regular season title. The Illini were ranked No. 1 in the nation for 15 straight weeks, including a first-ever No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

They gained the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and prevailed in one of the most memorable games in NCAA history against Arizona. Down 15 points with around 4 minutes left, the Illini rallied with a run led by Luther Head and Deron Williams. The game was sent into overtime and the Illini pulled off a one-point win to advance to the 2005 ] in St. Louis. It was the Fighting Illini's first Final Four Appearance since the 1988–89 season. Against the Louisville Cardinals in the national semifinal game, the Illini posted their final victory of the season. All of the five Illini starters–], ], ], ], and ].–would eventually play in the NBA. Williams and Brown both joined the ] roster, while Luther Head went on to play for the ].

With all that Illinois accomplished during the season, Weber swept the 2005 National Coach of the Year awards, claiming the following: the Naismith Award, the most prestigious coaching award in college basketball; the Henry Iba Award, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association; and, the Adolph F. Rupp Cup. Weber was also named National Coach of the Year by the NABC, Associated Press, The Sporting News, Basketball Times, CBS/Chevrolet, Victor Awards and Nike Championship Basketball Clinic.

Despite losing three starters and 63 percent of its scoring from the 2004–05 NCAA runner-up squad, Weber directed the 2005–06 Illini to a third-consecutive 4829-win season, a runner-up finish in the Big Ten, the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and a ranking among the nation's top 17 teams throughout the entire season. The Illini spent the majority of 2005–06 ranked in the Top 10 and recorded 26 wins on the year to tie the fourth-winningest season in school history. The Illini were given a number 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they beat Air Force in the opening round, before falling to the University of Washington in the second round.

The 2006–07 team finished with a record of 23–12 (9–7) and finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten. With a depleted roster that had six different players combine to miss a total of 58 games due to injury, the Illini still advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They were awarded a 12 seed and lost in the opening round to Virginia Tech.

The 2007–08 season was one of the worst seasons in Illinois history, highlighted by a string of close losses. The lone bright spot came as Illinois came on strong to win four of its last five and five of its final seven games, which culminated with a runner-up finish at the Big Ten tournament. Weber's Illini became the first No. 10 seed in the tournament's history to advance to the title game, winning three games in three days with victories over Penn State, No. 17 Purdue, and Minnesota to reach the championship game vs. No. 8 Wisconsin. However, with an overall record of 16–19 (5–13), the Illini were not selected to participate in postseason play.

Weber's 2008–09 UI squad was one of the most improved teams in the country finishing with a record of 24–10 (11–7). With 10 more regular season victories than it achieved the year before, Illinois posted the third-biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I and the second-biggest turnaround among BCS programs on the year. The Illini recorded 24 wins, ranking as the 10th winningest season in school history. Illinois was the Big Ten runner-up, earned a No. 5 seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, and finished the year ranked 24th in the Pomeroy rankings. The Illini lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to the 12th-seeded Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

During the 2009–10 season, the Illini finished 21–15 (10–8) and finished 5th in the Big Ten. The team was widely considered to be "on the bubble" for the NCAA tournament and missed the tournament field by a narrow margin. The Illini competed in the NIT, falling at home to the Dayton Flyers in the NIT Quarterfinals.

Illinois rebounded in 2010–11 to finish 20–14 (9–9) and tied for fourth in the Big Ten. The Illini were selected to join the NCAA tournament as a #9 seed, where they defeated the #8 seeded UNLV Rebels setting up a matchup with the #1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks and former coach Bill Self. Kansas proved to be too much for the Illini, and the season came to an end in the round of 32.

In 2011–12, Weber's last as coach of the Illini, the team finished 17–15 (6–12), good for 9th in the conference. The team did not compete in the postseason. Illinois' new AD Mike Thomas fired Weber after the 2011–12 season.

===2012–17: John Groce era===
]

John Groce was hired by the new athletic director ] on March 28, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/john_groce_798164.html |title=FIGHTINGILLINI.COM - John Groce Bio |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625101450/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/john_groce_798164.html |archive-date=June 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the ], the Illini were the ] and later made the ], losing their second game to the ] by a score of 63–59. The Illini spent eight weeks nationally ranked in the ], and for two weeks were ranked as high as 10th in the country.

The ] saw major roster turnover, with nine players leaving and nine players joining the program. This season was one to forget, as the Illini would ultimately miss the NCAA Tournament and lose in the second round of the NIT.

In ], Groce continued Illinois' success in November, improving to 21–0 under Groce and 32–0 overall during the past four seasons. Illinois is the only program in the nation with an undefeated November record dating back to 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release_20141128aaa.pdf|access-date=November 29, 2014|title=Archived copy|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121654/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release_20141128aaa.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2014–2015 season was once again disappointing for the Illini. Illinois finished with a record of 19–14, finishing tied for 7th place in the Big Ten with a record of 9–9. The Illini were then beaten in the first round of the NIT.

The ] ended with the fewest total wins in almost 20 years since the 98–99 Lon Kruger crew won only 14 games. Groce's squad finished with a record of 15–19, taking 12th place in the Big Ten and receiving no post-season tournament invitations.

The ] was another disappointing season for the Fighting Illini, as they finished the season at 18–14 and 8–10 in the conference, failing to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. On March 11, 2017, the university announced via press release that Groce had been relieved of his duties as head men's basketball coach. The next day, the team was put into the ] as a 2-seed. The team was coached during the NIT by interim coach ], making it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the ].

===2017–present: Brad Underwood era===
On March 18, 2017, Brad Underwood was hired by athletic director Josh Whitman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/18944037/illinois-fighting-illini-hire-brad-underwood-oklahoma-state-cowboys-next-coach|title = Illinois snags OSU's Underwood as new coach|date = March 18, 2017}}</ref> Underwood previously coached at ] from 2013 to 2016, before spending one year at ]. In ] at Illinois, the team won each of their first five contests. After beginning conference play 0–8, they ended the season with a record of 14–18.

While the ] featured the debut of key pieces including ], ], ], and ], the Illini posted one of the worst records in program history at 12–21 (7–13 in Big Ten). Despite the poor record, Illinois had many memorable moments such as upsetting #9 ] at home and Bezhanishvili scoring 35 points against ], breaking the Illini record for most points by a freshman in a single game.

The ] was the freshman year of highly ranked center ]. The Illini started the season slow in the first game, barely beating ] 78–70 in overtime. During the ACC–Big Ten Challenge, Illinois played ] where they lost 81–79 after they mounted a huge comeback before a charge was called against Dosunmu on the game's final play. The next game they traveled to ] to play against #3 ]. The Illini led by 14 at the half, but Maryland outscored Illinois 34–19 in the second half and won the game by an ] free throw. The Illini next played #5 ] at the State Farm Center. They would beat the Wolverines 71–62 to improve to 7–3 on the season. Over the next 12 games, the Illini went 10–2, including Dosunmu's game-winning shot during their second matchup against Michigan to give Illinois a 64–62 lead with half a second left on the clock. Illinois would finish the season with a 21–10 (13–7) record which would be good enough for 4th in the ]. They would also finish ranked 21st in the ] and 22nd in the ].

The ] that Underwood finally had mostly his recruits running the team and it certainly showed on the court. After much deliberation, Ayo Dosunmu returned to Illinois for his junior season instead of going to the NBA. He, along with Kofi Cockburn, helped make Illinois into a top-10 team. They went 16-4 (0.800) in the B1G conference but had a worse record than Michigan (14-3, 0.824), and therefore did not earn even a share of the title. This title was disputed as Michigan had failed to play three extra games because of COVID protocols, and only one loss in those three games would have given Illinois the title; Illinois had beaten Michigan by 23 without leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu in Ann Arbor. The team went on to win the Big Ten tournament title, however, after a hard-fought, overtime 91–88 win over OSU. Illinois became a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the 4th time in school history. They were upset by Loyola-Chicago in the 2nd round and finished the season 24–7. Dosunmu became the first player in Illini history to earn 1st-team All-America honors by the AP. Cockburn was named to the AP All-American 2nd-team.

Before the ], Ayo Dosunmu was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, and Adam Miller transferred to LSU, leading to André Curbelo being expected to serve as the primary ball handler. Unfortunately, Curbelo suffered a concussion prior to the season opener that would continue to affect him throughout the season. The team was led by fifth-year players Trent Frazier and Da'Monte Williams. Kofi Cockburn returned for his junior year but was suspended for the first three games for selling his team jerseys during the off-season. The team tied with Wisconsin for a share of the Big Ten regular season title, with a record of 15-5. Due to the tiebreaker rules, the team was seeded first in the Big Ten Tournament but lost its first game to ninth-seeded Indiana. The team was given the #4 seed in the South region of the NCAA tournament. After a 54-53 victory against Chattanooga, the team lost in the second round to Houston. Cockburn was named to the AP All-American 1st-team.

The roster suffered from some major turnover before the ], with five players transferring out of the program, four players graduating, and Kofi Cockburn electing to stay in the NBA draft (and ultimately going undrafted). Three players transferred into the program and six freshmen were recruited. As a result of the roster changes, the team would be led by ] and ]. The Illini would secure two major wins in non-conference play, beating #8 UCLA in the Continental Tire Main Event semifinal and #2 Texas in the Jimmy V Classic. Both Zacharie Perrin and Skyy Clark left the program during the season. Ultimately the season was a step back for the program, as due to tiebreaker rules, the team received a seven seed and lost to Penn State in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament. The team then received the #9 seed in the West region and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Arkansas. For the first time since Underwood's second season, the team finished the season unranked in the AP Poll.

The ] would be one to remember. Three pivotal graduate transfers, ], ], and ] joined the team, with Domask and Guerrier starting most games. The Illini went on an undefeated trip to Spain and then beat #1 ranked Kansas in a televised exhibition game. The team lost only two games to non-NCAA tournament teams, once to Penn State and once to Maryland. After finishing second in the Big Ten standings, the team ultimately won the Big Ten Tournament, prevailing over Wisconsin. The team was selected to the NCAA tournament as the #3 seed in the East region. For the first time in Underwood's tenure, the team made the Sweet Sixteen, where it beat the #2 seed, Iowa State. For the first time since the 2004–05 season, the team made the Elite Eight, where it lost to #1-overall and eventual national champion UConn.

===Records by Coach===
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Coach'''
!'''Years'''
!'''Record'''
!'''Conference'''
'''Record'''
!Conference
Champion
!NCAA
Bids
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1910–1912 || 14–14 || 10–13 || ||
| 1971-72|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1912–1920 || 85–34 || 64–31 || 2 ||
| 1972-73|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1920–1922 || 25–12 || 14–10 || ||
| 1973-74|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1922–1936 || 148–95 || 94–74 || 2 ||
| 1974-75|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1936–1947 || 151–66 || 88–47 || 3 || 1
| 1975-76|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 1947–1967 || 316–150 || 174–104 || 4 || 4
| 1976-77|| -|| -|| || ||
|- |-
| 1977-78|| 13-14 || -|| 7-11 || || | style="text-align:left" | ] || 1967–1974 || 89–77 || 43–55 || ||
|- |-
| 1978-79|| 19-11|| -|| 7-11 || || | style="text-align:left" | ] || 1974–1975 || 8–18 || 4–14 || ||
|- |-
| 1979-80|| 22-13|| -|| 8-10 || || | style="text-align:left" | ] || 1975–1996 || 423–224 || 214–164 || 1 || 12
|- |-
| 1980-81|| 21-8|| -|| 12-6 || || | style="text-align:left" | ] || 1996–2000 || 81–48 || 38–28 || 1 || 3
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 2000–2003 || 78–24 || 35–13 || 2 || 3
| 1981-82|| 18-11|| -|| 10-8 || || style="text-align:left"|NIT
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 2003–2012|| 210–101 || 89–65 || 2 || 6
| 1982-83|| 21-11|| -|| 11-7 || style="text-align:left"|Conference Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#7 seed, NCAA First Round
|- |-
| 1983-84|| 26-5|| -|| 15-3 || style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion || style="text-align:left"|#2 seed, NCAA Elite Eight | style="text-align:left" | ] || 2012–2017 || 95–74 || 37–53 || || 1
|- |-
| 1984-85|| 26-9|| || 12-6|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#3 seed, NCAA Sweet Sixteen | style="text-align:left" | ] (interim) || 2017 || 2–1 || || ||
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | ] || 2017– || 132-85 || 75-56 || 1 || 4
| 1985-86|| 22-10|| || 11-7|| || style="text-align:left"|#4 seed, NCAA Second Round
|- style="text-align:center; {{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}"
| colspan="2" | '''Totals'''
|| '''1896–1058'''
|| '''998–756'''
|| '''18'''
|| '''34'''
|}

==Championships==
===National championships===
{| class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Coach|Selector|Record}}
|- |-
| ] || ] || ], ] || 16–0
| 1986-87|| 23-8|| -|| 13-5 || || style="text-align:left"|#3 seed, NCAA First Round
|- |-
| ] || ] || ]|| 17–1
| 1987-88|| 23-10|| -|| 12-6 || || style="text-align:left"|#3 seed, NCAA Second Round
|}

===Conference championships===
====Regular season====
{| class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Season|Conference|Coach|Overall|Conference}}
|- |-
| ]
| 1988-89|| 31-5|| -|| 14-4 || style="text-align:left"|Conference Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#1 seed, '''NCAA Final Four'''
|rowspan=2| ]
|rowspan=2| ]
| 16–0
| 12–0
|- |-
| ]†
| 1989-90|| 21-8|| -|| 11-7 || || style="text-align:left"|#5 seed, NCAA First Round
| 13–3
| 10–2
|- |-
| ]†
| 1990-91|| 21-10|| -|| 11-7 || ||
|rowspan=20| ]
|rowspan=2| ]
| 11–6
| 8–4
|- |-
| ]†
| 1991-92|| 13-15|| -|| 7-11 || ||
| 15–5
| 9–3
|- |-
| ]†
| 1992-93|| 19-13|| -|| 11-7 || || style="text-align:left"|#6 seed, NCAA Second Round
|rowspan=3| ]
| 14–4
| 10–2
|- |-
| ]
| 1993-94|| 17-11|| -|| 10-8 || || style="text-align:left"|#8 seed, NCAA First Round
| 18–5
| 13–2
|- |-
| ]
| 1994-95|| 19-12|| -|| 10-8 || || style="text-align:left"|#11 seed, NCAA First Round
| 17–1
| 12–0
|- |-
| ]
| 1995-96|| 18-13|| -|| 7-11 || || style="text-align:left"|NIT
|rowspan=4| ]
| 21–4
| 10–2
|- |-
| ]
| 1996-97|| 22-10|| -|| 11-7 || || style="text-align:left"|#6 seed, NCAA Second Round
| 22–5
| 13–1
|- |-
| ]
| 1997-98|| 23-10|| || 13-3|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion || style="text-align:left"|#5 seed, NCAA Second Round
| 22–4
| 12–2
|- |-
| ]†
| 1998-99|| 14-18|| 5-8|| 3-13|| style="text-align:left"|Tournament Runner-Up ||
| 20–6
| 11–3
|- |-
| ]†
| 1999-00|| 22-10|| 12-1|| 11-5|| style="text-align:left"|Tournament Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#4 seed, NCAA Second Round
| ]
| 26–5
| 15–3
|- |-
| ]†
| 2000-01|| 27-8|| 12-0|| 13-3|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion || style="text-align:left"|#1 seed, NCAA Elite Eight
| ]
| 23–10
| 13–3
|- |-
| ]†
| 2001-02|| 26-9|| 13-1|| 11-5|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion || style="text-align:left"|#4 seed, NCAA Sweet Sixteen
|rowspan=2| ]
| 27–8
| 13–3
|- |-
| ]†
| 2002-03|| 25-7|| 14-0|| 11-5|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Runner-Up, Tournament Champion || style="text-align:left"|#4 seed, NCAA Second Round
| 26–9
| 11–5
|- |-
| ]
| 2003-04|| 26-7|| 12-1|| 13-3|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion, Tournament Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#5 seed, NCAA Sweet Sixteen
|rowspan=2| ]
| 26–7
| 13–3
|- |-
| ]
| 2004-05|| 37-2|| 15-0|| 15-1|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Champion, Tournament Champion || style="text-align:left"|#1 seed, '''National Runner-Up'''
| 37–2
| 15–1
|- |-
| ]†
| 2005-06|| 26-7|| 15-1|| 11-5|| style="text-align:left"|Conference Runner-Up || style="text-align:left"|#4 seed, NCAA Second Round
| ]
| 23–10
| 15–5
|}

† – Conference co-champions

====Tournament====
{| class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Conference|Coach|Site|Opponent|Score}}
|- |-
| ]
| 2006-07|| 23-12|| 14-3 || 9-7|| || style="text-align:left"|#12 seed, NCAA First Round
|rowspan=6| ]
| ]
| ] (])
| ]
| 72–59
|- |-
| ]
| ]
| United Center (Chicago, Illinois)
| ]
| 54–43
|-
| ]
|rowspan=2| ]
| ] (])
| ]
| 91–88 <small>OT</small>
|-
| ]
| ] (])
| ]
| 93–87
|}

==Postseason history==
===NCAA Division I Tournament===
====Seeding====
''The ] began seeding the tournament with the ].''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=white}};"| Years →
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
|- align=center
| style="text-align:left; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}};"|'''Seeds →'''
|| – || – || 4 || – || 7 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 3 || 3 || '''1''' || 5 || – || – || 6 || 8 || 11 || – || 6 || 5
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=white}};"|Years →
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
|- align=center
| style="text-align:left; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}};"|'''Seeds →'''
| – || 4 || '''1''' || 4 || 4 || 5 || '''1''' || 4 || 12 || – || – || – || – || 5 || – || 9 || – || 7 || – || –
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=white}};"| Years →
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
|- align=center
| style="text-align:left; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}};"|'''Seeds →'''
| – || x || '''1''' || 4 || 9 || 3 ||
|} |}


====Results====
==Coaching history==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- bgcolor="#FF7F00"
| <font color=navy blue>'''Coach''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Years''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Record''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Conference</br>Record''' || <font color=navy blue>'''Conference</br>Titles''' || <font color=navy blue>'''NCAA</br>Appearances'''
|- |-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Seed|Round|Opponent|Results}}
| style="text-align:left"| Elwood Brown || ]-] || 6-8 || 3-6 || ||
|- |-
| ]
| style="text-align:left"| F. L. Pinckney || ]-] || 1-10 || 0-8 || ||
|
| Elite Eight <br> Regional 3rd-place game
| ] <br> {{cbb link|1941|team=Penn State Nittany Lions|title=Penn State}}
| L 44–46 <br> L 34–41
|-
| ]
|
| Elite Eight <br> Final Four <br> National 3rd-place game
| {{cbb link|1948|team=Yale Bulldogs|title=Yale}} <br> ] <br> ]
| '''W''' 71–67 <br> L 47–76 <br> '''W''' 57–53
|- |-
| ]
| style="text-align:left"| Fletcher Lane || ]-] || 20-6 || 6-5 || ||
|
| Sweet Sixteen <br> Elite Eight <br> Final Four <br> National 3rd-place game
| {{cbb link|1950|team=Columbia Lions|title=Columbia}} <br> {{cbb link|1950|team=NC State Wolfpack|title=NC State}} <br> ] <br> ]
| '''W''' 79–71 <br> '''W''' 84–70 <br> L 74–76 <br> '''W''' 61–46
|-
| ]
|
| Sweet Sixteen <br> Elite Eight <br> Final Four <br> National 3rd-place game
| {{cbb link|1951|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} <br> {{cbb link|1951|team=Duquesne Dukes|title=Duquesne}} <br> ] <br> ]
| '''W''' 80–61 <br> '''W''' 74–68 <br> L 59–61 <br> '''W''' 67–64
|-
| ]
|
| Sweet Sixteen <br> Elite Eight
| ] <br> ]
| '''W''' 70–67 <br> L 64–79
|- |-
| ]
| style="text-align:left"| Herb V. Juul || ]-] || 12-10 || 10-10 || ||
| #4
| Second Round <br> Sweet Sixteen
| #5 ] <br> #8 ]
| '''W''' 67–65 <br> L 52–57
|-
| ]
| #7
| First Round
| #10 ]
| L 49–52
|- |-
| ]
| style="text-align:left"| T. E. Thompson || ]-] || 14-14 || 10-13 || ||
| #2
| Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen<br />Elite Eight
| #7 ]<br />#3 ]<br />#1 ]
| '''W''' 64–56<br />'''W''' 72–70<br />L 51–54
|- |-
| ]
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 85-34 || 64-31 || 2 ||
| #3
| First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen
| #14 ]<br />#6 ]<br />#2 ]
| '''W''' 76–57<br />'''W''' 74–58<br />L 53–61
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round || #13 ]<br />#5 ]|| '''W''' 75–51<br />L 56–58
|- align="center"
| ] || #3 || First Round || #14 ] || L 67–68
|- align="center"
| ] || #3 || First Round<br />Second Round || #14 ]<br />#6 ]|| '''W''' 81–72<br />L 63–66
|- align="center"
| ] || #1 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen<br />Elite Eight<br />Final Four || #16 ]<br />#9 ]<br />#4 ]<br />#2 ]<br />#3 ] || '''W''' 77–71<br />'''W''' 72–60<br />'''W''' 83–69<br />'''W''' 89–86<br />L 81–83
|- align="center"
| ] || #5 || First Round || #12 ] || L 86–88
|- align="center"
| ] || #6 || First Round<br />Second Round || #11 {{cbb link|1992|team=Long Beach State 49ers men's basketball|title=Long Beach State}}<br />#3 ] || '''W''' 75–72<br />L 68–85
|- align="center"
| ] || #8 || First Round || #9 ] || L 77–84
|- align="center"
| ] || #11 || First Round || #6 ] || L 62–68
|- align="center"
| ] || #6 || First Round<br />Second Round || #11 ]<br />#14 ] || '''W''' 90–77<br />L 63–75
|- align="center"
| ] || #5 || First Round<br />Second Round || #12 ]<br />#4 ]|| '''W''' 64–51<br />L 61–67
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round || #13 ]<br />#5 ]|| '''W''' 68–58<br />L 76–93
|- align="center"
| ] || #1 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen<br />Elite Eight || #16 ]<br />#9 ]<br />#4 ]<br />#2 ]|| '''W''' 96–54<br />'''W''' 79–61<br />'''W''' 80–64<br />L 81–87
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen || #13 ]<br />#12 ]<br />#1 ]|| '''W''' 93–64<br />'''W''' 72–60<br />L 69–73
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round || #13 ]<br />#5 {{cbb link|2002|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|title=Notre Dame}} || '''W''' 65–60<br />L 60–68
|- align="center"
| ] || #5 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen || #12 ]<br />#4 ]<br />#1 ]|| '''W''' 72–53<br />'''W''' 92–68<br />L 62–72
|-
| ]
| #1
| First Round<br />Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen<br />Elite Eight<br />Final Four<br />]
| #16 ]<br />#9 ]<br />#12 ]<br />#3 ] <br />#4 ]<br />#1 ]
| '''W''' 67–55<br />'''W''' 71–59<br />'''W''' 77–63<br />'''W''' 90–89 <sup>OT</sup><br />'''W''' 72–57<br />L 70–75
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round || #13 ]<br />#5 ]|| '''W''' 78–69<br />L 64–67
|- align="center"
| ] || #12 || First Round || #5 ] || L 52–54
|- align="center"
| ] || #5 || First Round || #12 ]|| L 72–76
|- align="center"
| ] || #9 || First Round<br />Second Round || #8 ]<br />#1 ] || '''W''' 73–62<br />L 59–73
|- align="center"
| ] || #7 || First Round<br />Second Round || #10 ]<br />#2 ] || '''W''' 57–49<br />L 59–63
|- align="center"
| ] || #1 || First Round<br />Second Round || #16 ]<br />#8 ] || '''W''' 78–49<br /> L 58–71
|- align="center"
| ] || #4 || First Round<br />Second Round || #13 ]<br />#5 ]|| '''W''' 54–53<br /> L 53–68
|- align="center"
| ] || #9 || First Round || #8 ]|| L 63–73
|- align="center"
| ] || #3 || First Round<br>Second Round<br />Sweet Sixteen<br />Elite Eight || #14 ]<br>#11 ]<br>#2 ]<br>#1 ]|| '''W''' 85–69<br /> '''W''' 89–63<br />'''W''' 72–69<br />L 52–77
|}

===National Invitational Tournament===
====Seeding====
''The ] began seeding the tournament with the ].''

{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=white}};"|Years →
| style="text-align:left"| Frank J. Winters || ]-] || 25-12 || 14-10 || ||
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
! style="background: #13294B;"| ]
|- align=center
| style="text-align:left; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}};"|'''Seeds →'''
| – || – || – || – || 1 || – || – || – || 2 || 3 || – || 2 || – || – || x || – || – || – || – || –
|}

====Results====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- |-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Seed|Round|Opponent|Result}}
| style="text-align:left"| J. Craig Ruby || ]-] || 148-95 || 94-74 || 2 ||
|- |-
| ] || || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Quarterfinals<br />Semifinals<br />3rd Place Game || {{cbb link|1979|team=Loyola Ramblers|title=Loyola-Chicago}}<br />]<br />{{cbb link|1979|team=Murray State Racers|title=Murray State}}<br />]<br />{{cbb link|1979|team=UNLV Runnin' Rebels|title=UNLV}} || '''W''' 105–87<br />'''W''' 75–65<br />'''W''' 65–63<br />L 63–65<br />'''W''' 84–74
| style="text-align:left"| Douglas R. Mills || ]-] || 151-66 || 88-47 || 3 || 1
|- align="center"
| ] || || First Round<br />Second Round || {{cbb link|1981|team=LIU Sharks|title=LIU}}<br />{{cbb link|1981|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || '''W''' 126–78<br />L 58–61
|- align="center"
| ] || || First Round || ] || L 69–72
|- align="center"
| ] ||#1 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Quarterfinals || ]<br />]<br />] || '''W''' 76–66<br />'''W''' 75–58<br />L 71–77
|- align="center"
| ] ||#2 || First Round<br />Second Round || ]<br />] || '''W''' 66–62<br />L 49–50
|- align="center"
| ] ||#3 || First Round || ] || L 58–79
|- align="center"
| ] ||#2 || First Round<br />Second Round<br />Quarterfinals || ]<br />]<br />] || '''W''' 82–57<br />'''W''' 71–56<br />L 58–68
|}

==Facilities==
]

===Kenney Gym (1905–1925)===
{{Main|Kenney Gym and Kenney Gym Annex}}

] is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena that is the practice facility for the Fighting Illini gymnastics team. Before the opening of ] in 1925, Kenney Gym housed the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team. It also was home to the Women's Volleyball program from 1974 until 1989, after which the program moved to Huff Hall in 1990.

===Huff Hall (1925–1963)===
{{Main|Huff Hall}}

Huff Hall is a 4,050-seat multi-purpose arena in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The arena opened in 1925 and was known as Huff Gymnasium until the 1990s. It is named after ], the school's athletic director from 1895 to 1935. Huff Hall is home to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball and wrestling teams. Before the opening of Assembly Hall in 1963, it was home to the basketball team as well.

]

===State Farm Center (1963–)===
{{Main|State Farm Center}}

] opened on March 2, 1963, and hosts the home games for the men's and women's basketball teams. ], an Illinois alumnus, was the lead architect behind the building of the indoor arena. At the time of its opening, Assembly Hall could hold 16,128 people, making it the largest dome structure in ] until the ] opened in 1965.

In 2008, school officials, led by athletic director ], conducted a study to decide whether to refurbish the Assembly Hall or build a new basketball arena. In 2010, they decided to keep the arena. In 2014, renovations began under the watch of ], an architectural firm based out of ]. The estimated cost of the project was estimated to be around $169.5 million and in turn ] decided to buy the naming rights of the stadium.

===Ubben Basketball Complex (1998–present)===
The 2-story, 40,000-square-foot building is home to the University of Illinois Men's and Women's basketball programs. The facility includes offices, locker areas, weight training facilities and team meeting rooms in addition to the practice basketball courts. The Illinois Champions Campaign was a major catalyst of the $40 million renovation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ubben Basketball Complex |url=https://fightingillini.com/facilities/ubben-basketball-complex/16 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=University of Illinois Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

===Prairie Capital Convention Center (2015)===
{{Main|Bank of Springfield Center}}
In November 2015, the arena hosted the team for five games while renovations to the ] were completed.<ref>{{cite press release| url=http://www.theboscenter.com/news/tabid/125/pccc-to-host-illini-basketball-nov-2015.aspx?TabId=125&PostId=9| title=PCCC to host Illini Basketball for 5 games in November 2015| date=October 30, 2014| access-date=October 30, 2014| publisher=University of Illinois}}</ref>

==Rivalries==
===Indiana Hoosiers===
{{Main|Illinois–Indiana men's basketball rivalry}}

Illinois and ]'s rivalry started because the teams share a state border and they are located about 153 miles (246 km) apart. They have played annually since 1906. Indiana currently leads the series 96–92. The teams have played each other in five top-ten matchups, the first coming in 1952 when 2nd-ranked ] beat 4th-ranked ] 78–66. The longest winning streak was when Indiana won nine consecutive matchups from 1972 to 1977.

===Iowa Hawkeyes===
{{Main|Illinois–Iowa men's basketball rivalry}}

===Northwestern Wildcats===
{{Main|Illinois–Northwestern men's basketball rivalry}}

===Missouri Tigers===
{{Main|Braggin' Rights}}

==Notable Illini players and coaches==
===Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers===
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Class
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 316-150 || 174-104 || 4 || 4
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Inductee
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Tenure
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Category
|- |-
| 1960 || ] || — || Contributor
| style="text-align:left"| Harv Schmidt || ]-] || 89-77 || 43-55 || ||
|- |-
| 1961 || ] || 1941–1943, 1946–1947 || Player
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 8-18 || 4-14 || ||
|- |-
| 1971 || ] || 1920 || Contributor
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 423-224 || 214-164 || 1 || 12
|- |-
| 2004 || ] || 1960–1962 || Contributor
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 81-48 || 38-28 || 1 || 3
|- |-
| 2017 || ] || 1957–1960 || Contributor
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-] || 78-24 || 35-13 || 2 || 3
|- |-
| 2017 || ] || 2000–2003 || Coach
| style="text-align:left"| ] || ]-Present || 112-28 || 48-16 || 2 || 4
|}

===National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famers===
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Inductee|Tenure|Category}}
|-align="center"
|-
| colspan=2 bgcolor="#FF7F00"| <font color=navy blue>'''Totals'''
| 2006 || ] || 1941–1943, 1946–1947 || Player
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF7F00"| <font color=navy blue>'''1569-824'''
|-
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF7F00"| <font color=navy blue>'''845-598'''
| 2007 || ] || 1944–1945 || Contributor
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF7F00"| <font color=navy blue>'''17'''
|-
| colspan=1 bgcolor="#FF7F00"| <font color=navy blue>'''27'''
| 2009 || ] || 1974–1975 || Coach
|-
| 2015 || ] || 1975–1996 || Coach
|} |}


===Award winners===
==All-Time statistical leaders==
===Career leaders=== ====National awards====
{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* Points Scored: ] (2129)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/helms-poy.html |title=Men's Helms Foundation Player of the Year Winners }}</ref>
* Assists: ] (765)
*: ] (1917)
* Rebounds: ] (1023)
* Steals: Bruce Douglas (324) *: ] (1922)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/tsn-poy.html |title=Men's Sporting News Player of the Year Winners }}</ref>
*: ] (1943)
*: ] (2005)
* '''''USA Today'' Player of the Year'''
*: ] (2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightingillini.com/news/2021/3/17/mens-basketball-dosunmu-usa-today-national-player-of-the-year.aspx |title=Dosunmu Named USA Today National Player of the Year |date=March 17, 2021 }}</ref>
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hoophallawards.com/winners.php |title=Hoophall Awards }}</ref>
*: ] (2006)
*: ] (2021)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/pomeroy.html |title=Men's Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award Winners }}</ref>
*: ] (2006)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/naismith-coy.html |title=Naismith Coach of the Year Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/ap-coy.html |title=AP Coach of the Year Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/nabc-coy.html |title=NABC Division I Coach of the Year Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coachesdatabase.com/sporting-news-coach-of-the-year/ |title=List of Sporting News Coach of the Year Winners }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* '''Victor Awards Coach of the Year'''
*: ] (2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bruce-weber/1425 |title=Bruce Weber - Men's Basketball Coach }}</ref>
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/awards/henry-iba-award |title=USBWA Henry Iba Award }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/adolph-rupp-cup.html |title=Adolph Rupp Cup Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/basketball-times-coy.html |title=Basketball Times Coach of the Year Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* '''CBS Coach of the Year'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/men/cbs-coy.html |title=CBS Coach of the Year Winner }}</ref>
*: ] (2005)
* '''NCAA Tournament Regional Most Outstanding Player'''
*: ] (1989)
*: ] (2005)
* '''NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team'''
*: ] & ]–]
*: ] & ]–]
{{colend}}

====Conference awards====
{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* ''']'''
*: ] (1915)
*: Clyde Alwood (1917)
*: John Felmley (1920)
*: ] (1923)
*: ] (1924)
*: ] (1937)
*: William Hocking (1942)
*: Edwin Parker (1943)
*: Donald Delaney (1945)
*: ] (1949)
*: ] (1953)
*: David Downey (1963)
*: Bogie Redmon (1965)
*: Jack Ingram (2005)
*: ] (2006)
*: ] (2007)
*: ] (2009)
*: ] (2013)
* ''']'''
*: ] (1984)*
*: ] (2001)
*: ] (2003)
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''
*: ] (1949)
*: ] (1951)
*: ] (1954)
*: ] (1967)
*: ] (2001)
*: ] (2003)
*: ] (2005)
* '''Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year'''
*: ] (1985)
*: Bruce Douglas (1986)
*: ] (1989)
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''
*: ] (1999)
*: ] (2000)*
*: ] (2010)
*: ] (2020)
* '''Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year'''
*: ] (2021)
* ''']'''
*: ] (1993)
*: ] (2005)
* ''']'''
*: ] (2003)
*: ] (2005)
*: ] (2021)
*: ] (2024)
{{colend}}

===NCAA All-Americans===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=260
| image1 = Andy Phillip 1946-47.jpg
| image2 = Bill Hapac 1939.jpeg
| image3 = Ayo Dosunmu 2.jpg
| image4 = Kofi Cockburn (cropped).jpg
| footer = All-Americans ] (top left), ] (top right), ] (bottom left), and ] (bottom right).
}}

Illinois has had a total of 34 players who have claimed ] status.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''']''' – ], ], ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ], ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ], ]
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]†, ]†, ]†
* ''']''' – ], ]
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ], ]
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]
* ''']''' – ]†, ]†
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]†
* ''']''' – ]†, ]†
* ''']''' – ]
{{div col end}}

† = ]

===Illinois All-Century Team===
In 2004, during the celebration of the program's 100th year of basketball as a varsity sport, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its All-Century Team. The 20-man team was selected after online voting by fans and the Illinois Basketball Centennial Committee. The honorees were feted during the Illinois Basketball Centennial Reunion Weekend, Jan. 28–30, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101604aaa.html |title=University of Illinois Unveils Basketball All-Century Team - FIGHTINGILLINI.COM // THE OFFICIAL HOME OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ATHLETICS |access-date=2011-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609134021/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101604aaa.html |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

{{color box|#FFE6BD|†}} ] inductee. <br>
{{color box|#FFE34D|‡}} ] inductee. <br>
{{color box|#FFFFBB|§}} Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee. <br>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Position
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Player
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Tenure
! style="background: #13294B; color: #FFFFFF;"| Honors
|-
| ]
| ''']'''
| 1914–1917
|
* ] (1915)
* ] (1915)
* ] (1917)
* 3× First-team All-American (1915, 1916, 1917)
* 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1915, 1916, 1917)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFE6BD;"| ''']'''<sup>†‡§</sup>
| 1941–1943, 1946–1947
|
* ] (1943)
* ] (1943)
* ] (1943)
* 2× University of Illinois Athlete of the Year (1942, 1943)
* 2× Consensus First-team All-American (1942, 1943)
* Consensus Second-team All-American (1947)
* 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1942, 1943, 1947)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1941–1943, 1946–1947
|
* ] (1943)
* 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1942, 1943)
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1947)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1963–1966
|
* First-team All-American (1966)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1966)
* Third-team All-Big Ten (1965)
|-
| ]
| ''']'''
| 1980–1983
|
* Second-team All-American (1983)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1983)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1982–1986
|
* ] (1984)
* 2× Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1986)
* Third-team All-American (1984)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1984)
* 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1985, 1986)
* NCAA All-Regional Team (1984)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1987–1989
|
* First-team All-Big Ten (1989)
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1988)
* NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player (1989)
* NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1986–1990
|
* University of Illinois Athlete of the Year (1990)
* Kenny Battle Leadership Award (1989)
* Consensus Second-team All-American (1990)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1990)
* NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1999–2002
|
* ] (2001)
* ] (2001)
* First-team All-American (2001)
* 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2001, 2002)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1945–1949
|
* ] (1949)
* ] (1949)
* 2× University of Illinois Athlete of the Year (1948, 1949)
* First-team All-American (1949)
* Second-team All-American (1948)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1949)
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1948)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1960–1963
|
* ] (1963)
* First-team All-American (1963)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1963)
* 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1961, 1962)
* NCAA All-Regional Team (1963)
|-
| ]
| ''']'''
| 1970–1973
|
* First-team All-Big Ten (1973)
|-
| ]
| ''']'''
| 1977–1981
|
* First-team All-Big Ten (1981)
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1980)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1984–1987
|
* Consensus Second-team All-American (1987)
* 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1986, 1987)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1987–1989
|
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1989)
* Third-team All-Big Ten (1988)
* NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1990–1994
|
* University of Illinois Freshman of the Year (1991)
* 3× Second-team All-Big Ten (1992, 1993, 1994)
* Third-team All-Big Ten (1991)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1920–1922
|
* ] (1922)
* 2× First-team All-American (1920, 1922)
* 3× First-team All-] (1920, 1921, 1922)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1951–1954
|
* ] (1954)
* Third-team All-American (1954)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1954)
* 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1952, 1953)
* NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (1952)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1962–1965
|
* First-team All-American (1965)
* First-team All-Big Ten (1965)
* Second-team All-Big Ten (1964)
|-
| ]
| style="background: #FFFFBB;"| ''']'''<sup>§</sup>
| 1999–2003
|
* ] (2003)
* ] (2003)
* ] (2000)
* ] (2003)
* Third-team All-American (2003)
* First-team All-Big Ten (2003)
* 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2001, 2002)
* 2× Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2000, 2003)
|}

==Statistical leaders==
]]]

===All-time records===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 50%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| All-time records
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 20%"| Record
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 20%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Tenure
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Statistic
|-
| Games played || ] || 2017–22 || '''159'''
|-
| Minutes played || ] || 2017–22 || '''4,881'''
|-
| Points || ] || 1990–94 || '''2,129'''
|-
| Assists || ] || 1982–86 || '''765'''
|-
| Steals || Bruce Douglas || 1982–86 || '''324'''
|-
| Blocks || ] || 2011–15 || '''201'''
|-
| Field goals made || Deon Thomas || 1990–94 || '''803'''
|-
| Field goals attempted || ] || 1977–81 || '''1,658'''
|-
| Field goal percentage || ] || 1984–87 || '''.609'''
|-
| Three-pointers made || ] || 1997–02 || '''327'''
|-
| Three-pointers attempted || Trent Frazier || 2017–22 || '''882'''
|-
| Three-point percentage || Cory Bradford || 1997–02 || '''.388'''
|-
| Free throws made || ] || 1993–97 || '''615'''
|-
| Free throws attempted || Deon Thomas || 1990–94 || '''790'''
|-
| Free throw percentage || Kiwane Garris || 1993–97 || '''.830'''
|}

===Single-season leaders===
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most minutes played
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''1,315'''
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''1,297'''
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''1,272'''
|-
| ] || 2009–10 || '''1,241'''
|-
| ] || 2012–13 || '''1,218'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most points scored
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2023–24 || '''736'''
|-
| Don Freeman || 1965–66 || '''668'''
|-
| ] || 1990–91 || '''660'''
|-
| ] || 1988–89 || '''647'''
|-
| ] || 1986–87 || '''641'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most assists
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''264'''
|-
| ] || 2009–10 || '''254'''
|-
| Demetri McCamey || 2010–11 || '''208'''
|-
| ] || 1984–85 || '''200'''
|-
| Bruce Douglas || 1985–86 || '''199'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most steals
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 1988–89 || '''89'''
|-
| ] || 1985–86 || '''88'''
|-
| Bruce Douglas || 1984–85 || '''85'''
|-
| Bruce Douglas || 1982–83 || '''78'''
|-
| ] || 1999–2000 || '''74'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most shots blocked
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| Derek Holcomb || 1978–79 || '''86'''
|-
| ] || 2013–14 || '''73'''
|-
| ] || 2011–12 || '''60'''
|-
| ] || 2009–10 || '''59'''
|-
| Nnanna Egwu || 2014–15 || '''59'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most field goals made
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 1979–80 || '''266'''
|-
| ] || 1988–89 || '''262'''
|-
| Don Freeman || 1965–66 || '''258'''
|-
| ] || 1986–87 || '''256'''
|-
| ] || 1972–73 || '''247'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most field goals attempted
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| Don Freeman || 1965–66 || '''595'''
|-
| ] || 1979–80 || '''576'''
|-
| ] || 1967–68 || '''541'''
|-
| ] || 1972–73 || '''540'''
|-
| ] || 1953–54 || '''520'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Highest field goal percentage <small>(min. 170 attempts)</small>
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2001–02 || '''.659'''
|-
| ] || 2020–21 || '''.654'''
|-
| ] || 1985–86 || '''.641'''
|-
| Dain Dainja || 2022–23 || '''.636'''
|-
| ] || 2003–04 || '''.635'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most three-pointers made
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''116'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most three-pointers attempted
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2004–05 || '''283'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Highest three-point percentage
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| Tom Michael || 1991–92 || '''49.3%'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most free throws made
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2023–24 || '''221'''
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Most free throws attempted
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2023–24 || '''276'''
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; width: 65%"
|-
|+ colspan="3" style="text-align:center; {{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}};"| Highest free throw percentage
|-
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 45%"| Player
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 15%"| Season
! style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0}}; width: 5%"| Stat
|-
| ] || 2023–24 || '''87.5%'''
|}
{{columns-end}}

===Game leaders===
*Points: ] (53, 1963)
*Assists: ] (16, 2010), Tony Wysinger (16, 1986)
*Rebounds: ] (24, 1963)
*Steals: ] (8, 1984)
*Blocks: Derek Holcomb (11, 1978)

===Career milestones===
{{Columns-start|num=3}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1,500 points
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Years|Player|Points}}
|-
| 1991–94 || ] || 2,129
|-
| 1994–97 || ] || 1,948
|-
| 2014–17 || ] ||1,817
|-
| 2003–06 || ] || 1,812
|-
| 2017–22 || ] || 1,794
|-
| 2000–03 || ] || 1,748
|-
| 1999–02 || ] || 1,735
|-
| 2008–11 || ] || 1,718
|-
| 1978–81 || ] || 1,692
|-
| 2010–13 || ] || 1,654
|-
| 1978–81 || Mark Smith || 1,653
|-
| 2019-22 || ] || 1,546
|-
| 1989–93 || ] || 1,533
|-
| 2018-21 || ] || 1,504
|}
{{Column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ 200 three-point field goals
|-{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Years|Player|Three-pointers}}
|-
| 1999–02 || ] || 327
|-
| 2017–22 || ] || 310
|-
| 2003–06 || ] || 299
|-
| 2010–13 || ] || 278
|-
| 1993–96 || Richard Keene || 237
|-
| 2008–11 || ] || 236
|-
| 2004–07 || Rich McBride || 216
|-
| 2010–13 || ] || 211
|-
| 2002–05 || ] || 209
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"style="text-align:center"
|+ 500 assists
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Years|Player|Assists}}
|-
| 1983–86 || ] || 765
|-
| 2008–11 || ] || 733
|-
| 2003–06 || ] || 674
|-
| 2003–05 || ] || 594
|-
| 1994–97 || ] || 502
|}
{{Column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ 750 rebounds
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Years|Player|Rebounds}}
|-
| 2003–06 || ] || 1,023
|-
| 2008–11 || ] || 909
|-
| 2019-22 || ] || 861
|-
| 1983–86 || ] || 853
|-
| 1991–94 || ] || 846
|-
| 1978–81 || ] || 831
|-
| 1963–65 || ] || 830
|-
| 2000–03 || ] || 815
|-
| 1971–73 || ] || 803
|-
| 1961–63 || ] || 790
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ 150 blocks
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Years|Player|Blocks}}
|-
| 2012–15 || ] || 201
|-
| 1991–94 || ] || 177
|-
| 2008–11 || ] || 176
|-
| 1979–81 || Derek Holcomb || 174
|-
| 1979–82 || James Griffin || 156
|}
{{Columns-end}}
Source for all statistical leaders<ref name="cstv">{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/2014-15_RecordBook_5.pdf|access-date=January 15, 2015|title=Illini Basketball History|archive-date=December 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222124337/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/2014-15_RecordBook_5.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Fighting Illini of note==
{{see also|List of Illinois Fighting Illini in the NBA draft|Category:Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Fighting Illini in the NBA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Big-Ten-Conference/2/Illinois/3/nba-draft |df=mdy-all |title=Illinois Players Drafted in the NBA - RealGM }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center;"| NBA Draft Selections
|-
! Total selected:
| align=center|77
|-
! 1st round:
| align=center|17
|-
! Lottery Picks in Draft:
| align=center|3
|-
! colspan="2" style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center;"| Notable achievements
|-
! Olympic Gold Medal Winners:
| align=center|1 player twice
|-
! NBA Champions:
| align=center|4
|-
! Naismith Basketball-Hall-of-Famers:
| align=center|5
|}

===First round NBA draft picks===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Draft Year|Pick|Player|Selected by|Professional career}}
|-
| ] || 9 || ] || ] || 1953–1955
|-
| ] || 9 || ] || ] || 1954–1966
|-
| ] || 7 || ] || Syracuse Nationals || 1957–1962
|-
| ] || 17 || ] || ] || 1970–1973
|-
| ] || 13 || ] || ] || 1973–1980
|-
| ] || 11 || ] || ] || 1983–1999
|-
| ] || 19 || ] || ] || 1987–1997
|-
| ] || 11 || ] || ] || 1989–2002
|-
| ] || 27 || ] || ] || 1989–2000
|-
| ] || 5 || ] || ] || 1990–2005
|-
| ] || 25 || ] || ] || 2002–2010
|-
| ] || 24 || ] || ] || 2003–2015
|-
| ] || 3 || ] || ] || 2005–2017
|-
| ] || 24 || ] || ] || 2005–2018
|-
| ] || 11 || ] || ] || 2012–present
|-
| ] || 19 || ] || ] || 2023–present
|-
| ] || 27 || ] || ] ||2024–present
|-
|}

===Fighting Illini in the NBA===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Position|Name|Height|Weight (lbs.)|Hometown|Draft year|Pick|Current NBA team}}
|-
|]
|]
|6'6"
|215
|]
|]
|27th
|]
|-
|]
|]
|6'4"
|205
|]
|]
|19th
|]
|-
|]
|]
|6'5"
|200
|]
|]
|38th
|]
|-
|}

===Fighting Illini in the NBA G League===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Position|Name|Height|Weight (lbs.)|Hometown|Draft Year|Pick|Current G League Team}}
|-
|]/]
|]
|6'9"
|225
|]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|-
|]
|]
|6'9"
|245
|], ]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|-
|]/]
|]
|6'6"
|220
|]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|-
|]/]
|]
|6'6"
|215
|]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|-
|]
|]
|6'4"
|180
|]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|-
|]/]
|]
|6'8"
|220
|]
|]
|Undrafted
|]
|}

===Fighting Illini playing internationally===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Position|Name|Height|Weight (lbs.)|Hometown|Years with<br />Illinois|Professional Team|Country}}
|-
|]
|]
|7'0"
|293
|]
|2019–2022
|]
|{{flagu|South Korea|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/174021/kofi-cockburn| title=Kofi Cockburn Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'2"
|195
|], ]
|2018–2020
|]
|{{flag|Spain|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/66894/andres-feliz| title=Andres Feliz Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|Michael Finke
|6'10"
|220
|]
|2016-2019
|]
|{{flagu|Japan|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/180422/michael-finke | title=Michael Finke Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'2"
|155
|]
|2017–2022
|]
|{{flag|Russia|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/189667/trent-frazier | title=Trent Frazier Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'6"
|190
|]
|2020–2022
|]
|{{flag|Spain|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/205501/jacob-grandison | title=Jacob Grandison Player Profile | access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]/]
|]
|6'6"
|230
|]
|2011–2013
|]
|{{flagu|Indonesia|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=EuroBasket| url=https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Myke-Henry/Israel/Ironi-Nahariya/233564 | title=Myke Henry Player Profile | access-date=December 27, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|]
|Kipper Nichols
|6'6"
|220
|]
|2017-2020
|]
|{{flagu|England|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/189669/kipper-nichols | title=Kipper Nichols Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'1"
|187
|]
|2016–2018
|]
|{{flagu|England|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/190196/te-jon-lucas | title=Te'Jon Lucas Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'2"
|190
|]
|2013-2016
|]
|{{flagu|Greece|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Kendrick Nunn joins Panathinaikos|url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kendrick-nunn-joins-panathinaikos-after-four-seasons-in-the-nba/|website=EuroLeagueBasketball.net|date=October 31, 2023|access-date=November 7, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'4"
|200
|]
|2009–2013
|]
|{{flagu|Montenegro|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/38979/brandon-paul | title=Brandon Paul Player Profile | access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'5"
|234
|]
|2013–2015
|]
|{{flagu|Mexico|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=EuroBasket| url=http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Rayvonte_Rice/Italy/Tezenis_Verona/204285 | title=Rayvonte Rice Player Profile | access-date=December 27, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'3"
|185
|]
|2006–2007
|]
|{{flagu|Italy|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/34327/jamar-smith | title=Jamar Smith Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'4"
|225
|]
|2017–2018
|]
|{{flagu|Spain|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web |work=Proballers| url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/191615/mark-smith | title=Mark Smith Player Profile | access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|]
|]
|6'1"
|180
|]
|2021-2022
|]
|{{flagu|Puerto Rico|size=25px}}<ref>{{cite web|work=Proballers|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/191383/alfonso-plummer|title=Alonso Plummer Player Profile}}</ref>
|}

===Fighting Illini currently coaching===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Name|Years with<br />Illinois|Current Team|Position|League}}
|-
|]
|2014–18
|]
|Assistant coach
|]
|-
|]
|2002–06
|]
|Head coach
| (NAIA)
|-
|]
|2005-09
|]
|Associate Head Coach
|]
|-
|]
|2000–04
|]
|Assistant coach
|]
|-
|]
|2001–05
|]
|Head coach
|Missouri Valley Conference
|-
|]
|2003–08
|]
|Assistant coach
|]
|-
|Tyler Underwood
|2017-21
|Illinois
|Assistant coach
|Big Ten Conference
|}

===Fighting Illini basketball media members===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Name|Years with<br />Illinois|Media Outlet|Role|Current Team}}
|-
|]
|1987–1989
|]
|Commentator
|]
|-
|]
|1986–1990
|]
|College Basketball Analyst
|]
|-
|]
|1986–1990
|]
|Commentator
|]
|-
|]
|1980–1983
|]
|Color Commentator
|]
|-
|]
|1977–1981
|]
|Play-by-play Commentator
|]
|-
|]
|1991-1994
|]
|Color Commentator
|Fighting Illini Men's basketball
|}

==High school honors==
===Jordan Brand Classic===
The following 6 ] participants have played for Illinois:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jordanbrandclassic.com/history/ | title=All-Time JBC Alumni | date=2018 | access-date=June 4, 2018 | publisher=Jordan Brand}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|High School|Hometown}}
|-
| 2002 || ] || ] || Maywood, Illinois
|-
| 2015 || Jalen Coleman-Lands || ] || Indianapolis, Indiana
|-
| 2018 || ] || ] || Chicago, Illinois
|-
| 2020 || ] || ] || Peoria, Illinois
|-
|2022 || Skyy Clark || ] || ]
|-
|2022 || Ty Rodgers || ] || ]
|-
|}

===Nike Hoop Summit===
The following 7 Fighting Illini have played in the ]:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|High School|Hometown}}
|-
| 2010 || ] || Robinson High School || Robinson, Illinois
|-
| 2016 || ] || West Oaks Academy || Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
|-
| 2018 || ] || ] || Kingston, Jamaica
|-
| 2019 || Kofi Cockburn || ] || Kingston, Jamaica
|-
| 2019 || ] || ] || Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
|-
| 2020 || ] || ] || ]
|-
| 2024 || ] || ] || ]
|-
| 2024 || ] || ] || ]
|}

===McDonald's All-Americans===
The following 13 ] have played for Illinois:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/allamerican/pdfs/Player-Alumni-List-12-2013.pdf | title=Boy's Alumni | date=December 1, 2013 | access-date=January 9, 2015 | publisher=McDonald's | archive-date=May 7, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507101142/http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/allamerican/pdfs/Player-Alumni-List-12-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|High School|Hometown}}
|-
| 1980 || ] || North Shore (FL) || Royston, Georgia
|-
| 1982 || ] || ] || Quincy, Illinois
|-
| 1982 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1985 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1986 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1987 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1989 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1992 || Richard Keene || ] || Collinsville, Illinois
|-
| 1997 || Marcus Griffin || ] || Peoria, Illinois
|-
| 1998 || ] || ] || Peoria, Illinois
|-
| 1999 || ] || ] || Lincoln, Illinois
|-
| 2002 || ] || ] || Maywood, Illinois
|-
| 2010 || ] || ] || Waukegan, Illinois
|}

===Mr. Basketball===
The following 16 ] award winners have played for Illinois:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|High school|Hometown}}
|-
| 1982 || ] || ] || Quincy, Illinois
|-
| 1986 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1987 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1989 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 1994 || Jarrod Gee || St. Martin de Porres || Chicago
|-
| 1997 || ] || ] || Peoria, Illinois
|-
| 1998 || ] || ] || Peoria, Illinois
|-
| 1999 || ] || ] || Lincoln, Illinois
|-
| 2002 || ] || ] || Maywood, Illinois
|-
| 2009 || ] || ] || Gurnee, Illinois
|-
| 2010 || ] || ] || Waukegan, Illinois
|-
| 2014 || ] || ] || Memphis, Tennessee
|-
| 2017 || ] || ] || Edwardsville, Illinois
|-
| 2019 || ] || Waupun Area || Waupun, Wisconsin
|-
| 2020 || ] || ] || Chicago
|-
| 2021 || ] || ] || Muskego, Wisconsin
|-
| 2024 || ] || ] || Chicago, Illinois
|}

==International honors==
===Olympians===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|Event|Country|Medal}}
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| 4th
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|GER}} || style="text-align:center;"| 7th
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ]
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|GBR}} || style="text-align:center;"| 9th
|-
| 2012 London || Deron Williams || Basketball || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ]
|-
|}

===International championships===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Year|Player|Event|Country|Medal|Ref}}
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.usab.com/mens/panamerican/mpag_1959.html |title=USA Basketball: THIRD PAN AMERICAN GAMES 1959 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729011703/http://archive.usab.com/mens/panamerican/mpag_1959.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| 5th || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.usab.com/mens/national/mwc_1970.html |title=Usab: Sixth World Championship -- 1970 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011232021/http://archive.usab.com/mens/national/mwc_1970.html |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Tal Brody || ] || ] {{flagicon|Israel}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] ||
|-
| ] || ]|| FIBA World Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/illiniathletics/docs/mbb-recordbook-11-12/142|title=2011-12 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Record Book|date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ]|| ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1979.html |title=USA Basketball: TENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1979 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729012440/http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1979.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|GER}} || style="text-align:center;"| 5th || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_1993.roundID_2264.teamID_288.playerID_8619.html|title = Jens Kujawa &#124; European Championship for Men (1993) &#124; FIBA Europe}}</ref>
|-
| ] || Jens Kujawa || ] || ] {{flagicon|GER}} || style="text-align:center;"| 4th || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_1993.roundID_2264.teamID_288.playerID_8619.html|title = Jens Kujawa &#124; European Championship for Men (1993) &#124; FIBA Europe}}</ref>
|-
| ] || Jens Kujawa || FIBA EuroBasket || ] {{flagicon|GER}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_1993.roundID_2264.teamID_288.playerID_8619.html|title = Jens Kujawa &#124; European Championship for Men (1993) &#124; FIBA Europe}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ]|| ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1997.html |title=USA Basketball: NINETEENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1997 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-date=January 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130230807/http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1997.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA World Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/illiniathletics/docs/mbb-recordbook-11-12/142|title=2011-12 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Record Book|date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1999.html |title=USA Basketball: TWENTIETH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1999 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185723/http://archive.usab.com/mens/worlduniversity/mwug_1999.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/illiniathletics/docs/mbb-recordbook-11-12/142|title=2011-12 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Record Book|date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Brian Cook || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/illiniathletics/docs/mbb-recordbook-11-12/142|title=2011-12 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Record Book|date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="usab.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.usab.com/history/u18-mens/fourth-junior-world-championship-qualifying-tournament-2002.aspx |title=FOURTH JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT -- 2002 |website=www.usab.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103939/http://www.usab.com/history/u18-mens/fourth-junior-world-championship-qualifying-tournament-2002.aspx |archive-date=2015-04-02}}</ref>
|-
| 2002 Venezuela || ] || FIBA Americas U18 Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="usab.com"/>
|-
| ] || Dee Brown || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| 5th || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/seventh-fiba-mens-junior-world-championship-2003.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907024752/http://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/seventh-fiba-mens-junior-world-championship-2003.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2015|title = Seventh Fiba Men's Junior World Championship -- 2003}}</ref>
|-
| 2003 Greece || Deron Williams || FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| 5th || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/seventh-fiba-mens-junior-world-championship-2003.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907024752/http://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/seventh-fiba-mens-junior-world-championship-2003.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2015|title = Seventh Fiba Men's Junior World Championship -- 2003}}</ref>
|- ] || Deon Thomas || ]
|- ] || Deon Thomas || ]
| ] || Deron Williams || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fightingillini.com/documents/2017/10/16//6_Tradition_141_164.pdf?id=22740|title = 2017-18 ILL Record Book-6 Tradition}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA EuroBasket || ] {{flagicon|GB}} || style="text-align:center;"| 14th || <ref name="basketball.realgm.com">{{Cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Robert-Archibald/Summary/504|title = Robert Archibald Player Profile, Toronto Raptors, NBA Stats, NCAA Stats, International Stats, Events Stats, Game Logs, Bests, Awards - RealGM}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA Americas U18 Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usab.com/history/u18-mens/2010-fiba-americas-u18-championship-for-men.aspx |title=SEVENTH FIBA AMERICAS U18 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN -- 2010 |website=www.usab.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001935/http://www.usab.com/history/u18-mens/2010-fiba-americas-u18-championship-for-men.aspx |archive-date=2015-04-06}}</ref>
|-
| ] || Robert Archibald || FIBA EuroBasket || ] {{flagicon|GB}} || style="text-align:center;"| 13th || <ref name="basketball.realgm.com"/>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| 5th || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/tenth-fiba-mens-u19-world-championship-2011.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001949/http://www.usab.com/history/u19-mens/tenth-fiba-mens-u19-world-championship-2011.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2015|title = Tenth Fiba Men's U19 World Championship – 2011}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/history/u16-mens/second-fiba-americas-u16-championship-for-men-2011.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906232222/http://www.usab.com/history/u16-mens/second-fiba-americas-u16-championship-for-men-2011.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2015|title=Second Fiba Americas U16 Championship for Men -- 2011}}</ref>
|-
| ] || Kendrick Nunn || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usab.com/history/u17-mens/second-2012-fiba8200u17-world-championship-for-men-2012.aspx |title=SECOND 2012 FIBA U17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN -- 2012 |website=www.usab.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907023907/http://www.usab.com/history/u17-mens/second-2012-fiba8200u17-world-championship-for-men-2012.aspx |archive-date=2015-09-07}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|DOM}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/event/p/cid//sid/9648/_/2017_Centrobasket_U17_Championship_for_Men/index.html |title=2013 Centrobasket U17 Championship for Men |website=archive.fiba.com |date=August 2013 |access-date=2024-07-06}}</ref>
|-
| ] || Andres Feliz || ] || ] {{flagicon|DOM}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="herald-review.com">{{Cite web|url=https://herald-review.com/sports/illini/tupper-feliz-would-be-a-good-illini-fit/article_033b5b65-5ad4-50e5-b099-ef4415a2c393.html|title=TUPPER: Feliz would be a good Illini fit|date=April 7, 2018 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Andres Feliz || FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup || ] {{flagicon|DOM}} || style="text-align:center;"| 13th || <ref name="herald-review.com"/>
|-
| ] || Andres Feliz || ] || ] {{flagicon|DOM}} || style="text-align:center;"| 4th || <ref name="herald-review.com"/>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="Curbelo FIBA">{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/227660-andre-jael-curbelo-rodriguez#achievements |title=Andre Jael Curbelo Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age &#124; FIBA Basketball }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usab.com/history/3x3-men-and-womens/3x3-mwc-2016.aspx |title=THIRD FIBA 3x3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN -- 2016 |website=www.usab.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012919/https://www.usab.com/history/3x3-men-and-womens/3x3-mwc-2016.aspx |archive-date=2017-11-07}}</ref>
|-
| ] || André Curbelo || ] || ] {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="Curbelo FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || André Curbelo || ] || ] {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="Curbelo FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/mu18-game-6-can.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617215954/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/mu18-game-6-can.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2018|title=USA Men's U18 Team Brings Home Gold, Downs Canada 113-74}}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|CRO}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name = "Ivisic FIBA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/253154-tomislav-ivisic#achievements |title=Tomislav Ivisic (Croatia) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age &#124; FIBA Basketball }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Tomislav Ivisic || FIBA U16 European Championship || ] {{flagicon|CRO}} || 8th || <ref name = "Ivisic FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || André Curbelo || ] || ] {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} || 6th || <ref name="Curbelo FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rj-melendez/13023 |title=RJ Melendez - 2022-23 - Men's Basketball }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_f11f6842-e28d-11eb-b453-87eb43ddf138.html |title=LSU signee Adam Miller's strong first half helps Team USA win gold at FIBA U19 World Cup |date=July 11, 2021 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Ty Rodgers || ] || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightingillini.com/news/2022/6/12/mens-basketball-rodgers-wins-gold-with-usa-at-fiba-u18-americas-championship.aspx |title=Rodgers Wins Gold with USA at FIBA U18 Americas Championship |date=June 12, 2022 }}</ref>
|-
| ] || ] || ] || ] {{flagicon|LTU}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref name="Jakucionis FIBA">{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/295096-kasparas-jakucionis |title=Kasparas Jakucionis (Lithuania) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age &#124; FIBA Basketball }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Tomislav Ivisic || ] || ] {{flagicon|CRO}} || 14th || <ref name = "Ivisic FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || Kasparas Jakucionis || ] || ] {{flagicon|LTU}} || 11th || <ref name="Jakucionis FIBA"></ref>
|-
| ] || ] || FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship || ] {{flagicon|USA}} || style="text-align:center;"| ] || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usab.com/players/morez-johnson-jr |title=Morez Johnson Jr }}</ref>
|-
| ] || Kasparas Jakucionis || FIBA U18 EuroBasket || ] {{flagicon|LTU}} || 6th || <ref name="Jakucionis FIBA"></ref>
|-
|}

==Illinois honored players==

===Honored jerseys===
The University of Illinois has honored its most decorated basketball players in school history by hanging a banner with their name and number from the rafters of ], along with their career years in terms of spring semesters. A total of 36 men's players have their jersey honored. To have his jersey honored, a player must have met one of the following criteria:

To have an honored jersey hung in the State Farm Center, a player must have achieved one of the following criteria:

1) National Player of the Year

2) Enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame

3) Big Ten Player of the Year

4) Consensus First- or Second-Team All-American

5) Illinois All-Century Team Member

6) Individual whose pioneering efforts made a significant impact on Illinois and international basketball<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-honored-jerseys|title=HONORED JERSEYS}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! width=40px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |No.
! width=150px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Player
! width=60px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Pos.
! width=120px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Career
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |National POY
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |National HOF
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |US Olympian
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Big Ten POY
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Consensus All-American
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Illinois All-Century (voted 2004)
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Basketball Pioneer
|-
| '''1''' || ] || ] || 1915–17 || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''2''' || ] || ] || 1920–22|| {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''19''' || ] || ] || 1938–40|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''47'''|| ] || ] || 1942–43, 1947|| {{Y}} || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''25''' || ] || ] || 1942–43, 1947|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''14''' || ] || ] || 1942–43, 1947|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''40''' || ] || ] || 1947–49|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''33''' || ] || ] || 1947–50|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''11''' || ] || ] || 1949–51|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''37''' || ] || ] || 1950–52 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''22''' || ] || ] || 1952–54 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''35''' || ] || ] || 1958–60 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}}
|-
| '''30''' || ] || ] || 1958–60 || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}}
|-
| '''23''' || ] || ] || 1960–62|| &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''40''' || ] || ] || 1961–63|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''35''' || ] || ] || 1963–65|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''12''' || ] || ] || 1963–65|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}}
|-
| '''15''' || ] || ] || 1963–66 || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; ||
|-
| '''24''' || ] || ] || 1965–67|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''12''' || ] || ] || 1971–73|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||&nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''33''' || ] || ] || 1978–81|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''12''' || ] || ] || 1981–83|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''25''' || ] || ] || 1983–86|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''33''' || ] || ] || 1985–87|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''33''' || ] || ] || 1988–89|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''25''' || ] || ] || 1988–89|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''13''' || ] || ] || 1987–90|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''25''' || ] || ]/] || 1991–94|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''20''' || ] || ] || 2000–02|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''34''' || ] || ] || 2000–03|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp;
|-
| '''4''' || ] || ] || 2002–05|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''5''' || ] || ] || 2003–05|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''11''' || ] || ] || 2003–06|| {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''11''' || ] || ] || 2019-21|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''21''' || ] || ] || 2020-22|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || {{Y}} || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|-
| '''0''' || ] || ] || 2023-24|| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
|}

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="7" style="background: #13294B; border: 5px #E84A27 solid; color: #FFFFFF;" | HONORED JERSEYS

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#1</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">RAY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">WOODS</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1915–17</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#1</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">CHUCK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">CARNEY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1920–22</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#19</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BILL</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">HAPAC</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1938–40</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#47</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">ANDY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">PHILLIP</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1942–43, 1947</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#25</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">GENE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">VANCE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1942–43, 1947</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#14</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">WALT</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KIRK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1944–45, 1947</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#40</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DWIGHT "DIKE"</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">EDDLEMAN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1947–49</span>

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#33</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BILL</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">ERICKSON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1947–50</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#11</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">SUNDERLAGE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1949–51</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#37</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">ROD</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">FLETCHER</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1950–52</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#22</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">JOHN "RED"</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KERR</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1952–54</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#35</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">GOVONER</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">VAUGHN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1958–60</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#30</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">MANNIE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">JACKSON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1958–60</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#23</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">JERRY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">COLANGELO</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1960–62</span>

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#40</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DAVE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DOWNEY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1961-63</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#35</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DUANE "SKIP"</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">THOREN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1963–65</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#12</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">TAL</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BRODY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1963–65</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#15</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">FREEMAN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1964–66</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#24</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">JIM</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DAWSON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1965–67</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#12</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">NICK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">WEATHERSPOON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1971–73</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#33</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">EDDIE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">JOHNSON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1978–81</span>

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#12</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DEREK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">HARPER</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1981–83</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#25</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BRUCE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DOUGLAS</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1983–86</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#33</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KEN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">NORMAN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1985–87</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#33</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KENNY</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BATTLE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1988–89</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#25</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">NICK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">ANDERSON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1988–89</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#13</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KENDALL</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">GILL</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1987–90</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#25</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DEON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">THOMAS</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">1991–94</span>

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#30</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">FRANK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">WILLIAMS</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2000–02</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#34</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BRIAN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">COOK</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2000–03</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#4</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">LUTHER</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">HEAD</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2002–05</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#5</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DERON</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">WILLIAMS</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2003–05</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#11</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DEE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">BROWN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2003–06</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#11</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">AYO</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">DOSUNMU</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2019–21</span>

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#21</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">KOFI</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">COCKBURN</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2020–22</span>

|- style="background: #13294B; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"

| style="width: 10em; border: 5px #FFFFFF solid;"|
<span style="font-size:200%; color: #E84A27; line-height: 2.0em;">#0</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">TERRENCE</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:125%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">SHANNON JR.</span> <br>
<span style="font-size:100%; color: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0.5em;">2023–24</span>
|}

===Dike Eddleman Award===
The University of Illinois Athlete of the Year was first awarded in 1940. The award was annually given to a male student-athlete until it was discontinued in 1973. Revived in 1983, the University of Illinois now recognizes both male and female athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement. In 1993, the awards were named in honor of former Olympian ], who participated in basketball, football and track and field in 1943 and 1946–49, earning a combined 11 varsity letters during that timeframe.<ref></ref> The following list includes Illini basketball players who earned the award.
{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center; font-size:95%;"
! width=150px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Player
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Years played
! width=100px style="{{NCAA color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center" |Year awarded
|-
|]
|1937–40
|1940
|-
|]
|1937–41
|1941
|-
|]
|1942–43, 1947
|1942, 1943
|-
|]
|1943–47
|1945
|-
|]
|1945–49
|1948, 1949
|-
|]
|1948–51
|1951
|-
|]
|1950–53
|1953
|-
|]
|1953–56
|1955
|-
|]
|1959–62
|1962
|-
|]
|1963–67
|1967
|-
|]
|1966–69
|1968, 1969
|-
|]
|1967–70
|1970
|-
|]
|1986–90
|1990
|-
|]
|2002–05
|2005
|-
|]
|2018-21
|2020, 2021
|-
|]
|2019-22
|2022
|-
|]
|2022-24
|2024
|}

==Head-to-head Big Ten records==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Team|Total meetings|Wins|Losses|Pct.|Home record|Road record|Neutral record}}
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 183 || 90|| 93 || {{winpct|90|93}} || 54–34 || 30–57 || 6–2
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 165 || 89 || 76 || {{winpct|89|76}} || 64–17 || 23–56 || 2–3
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 19 || 7 || 11 || {{winpct|6|12}} || 2–4 || 1–6 || 4–2
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 175 || 90 || 85 || {{winpct|90|85}} || 57–28 || 31–52 || 2–5
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 123 || 60 || 63 || {{winpct|60|63}} || 39–21 || 20–39 || 1–3
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 195 || 127 || 68 || {{winpct|127|68}} || 74–19 || 47–48 || 6–1
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 27 || 19 || 8 || {{winpct|19|8}} || 14–2 || 5–5 || 0–1
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 182 || 140 || 42 || {{winpct|140|42}} || 71–14 || 64–28 || 5–0
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 187 || 108 || 80|| {{winpct|108|80}} || 62–27 || 43–49 || 3–3
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 6 || 4 || 2|| {{winpct|4|2}} || 1-0 || 1-0 || 2-2
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 49 || 30 || 19 || {{winpct|30|19}} || 14–8 || 13–10 || 3–1
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 193 || 90 || 103 || {{winpct|90|103}} || 59–37 || 29–63 || 2–3
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 14 || 10 || 4 || {{winpct|10|4}} || 6–0 || 3–3 || 2–0
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 10 || 4 || 6|| {{winpct|4|6}} || 2-2 || 2-4 || 0-0
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 9 || 3 || 6|| {{winpct|3|6}} || 2-2 || 0-4 || 1-0
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 3 || 1 || 2|| {{winpct|1|2}} || 1-0 || 0-1 || 0-1
|-
| style="text-align:left"| ] || 202 || 113 || 89 || {{winpct|113|89}} || 69–28 || 41–58 || 3–3
|}

=== Men's basketball records at Kenney Gym and Huff Hall ===

{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" style="text-align:center;"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Illinois Fighting Illini|Season|Wins|Losses|Win pct.|Total attendance||Season|Wins|Losses|Win pct.|Total attendance}}
|-
| ] || 6 || 0 || 1.000 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 6 || 3 || 0.667 || N/R
|-
| ] || 0 || 4 || 0.000 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 3 || 0.727 || 61,590
|-
| ] || 3 || 2 || 0.600 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 3 || 5 || 0.375 || 48,202
|-
| ] || 5 || 1 || 0.833 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 3 || 0.727 || 30,139*
|-
| ] || 3 || 2 || 0.600 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 5 || 4 || 0.556 || 49,418*
|-
| ] || 3 || 2 || 0.600 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 3 || 0.700 || 52,440
|-
| ] || 4 || 3 || 0.571 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 2 || 0.800 || 57,000
|-
| ] || 6 || 2 || 0.750 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 3 || 0.727 || 34,500*
|-
| ] || 5 || 2 || 0.714 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 9 || 1 || 0.900 || 55,500
|-
| ] || 9 || 0 || 1.000 || N/R
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 2 || 0.800 || 62,000
|-
| ] || 6|| 1 || 0.857 || 16,644*
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 3 || 0.700 || 78,028
|-
| ] || 9 || 1 || 0.900 || 6,417*
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 2 || 0.778 || 63,238
|-
| ] || 7 || 1 || 0.875 || 5,066*
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 2 || 0.778 || 63,600
|-
| ] || 3 || 5 || 0.375 || 10,739
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 9 || 1 || 0.900 || 57,933
|-
| ] || 6 || 1 || 0.857 || 24,250*
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 1 || 0.909 || 55,513
|-
| ] || 6 || 4 || 0.600 || 34,875
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 2 || 0.800 || 52,751
|-
| ] || 10 || 2 || 0.833 || 40,112
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 12 || 1 || 0.923 || 65,357
|-
| ] || 6 || 3 || 0.667 || 8,424*
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 0 || 1.000 || 62,648
|-
| ] || 8 || 3 || 0.727 || 41,848
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 6 || 4 || 0.600 || 29,812
|-
| ] || 9 || 0 || 1.000 || 36,222
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 3 || 0.700 || 44,951
|- style="text-align:center; "
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}}" | '''Kenney Gym Totals'''
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}}" | '''94'''
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}}" | '''39'''
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}}" | '''{{Winning percentage|94|39}}'''
! style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Illinois Fighting Illini|border=0|color=black}}" | '''224,597*'''
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 11 || 2 || 0.846 || 66,553
|-
| colspan="5" |'''Kenney Gym Facts'''
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 1 || 0.909 || 77,808*
|-
| colspan="5"|Fighting Illini played 20 years in Kenney Gym
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 11 || 1 || 0.917 || 78,388
|-
| colspan="5"|Attendance averaged 2,739 fans per game
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 14 || 0 || 1.000 || 49,036*
|-
| colspan="5"|Single game attendance record: January 24, 1925 vs. Iowa–4,725
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 11 || 2 || 0.846 || 83,736
|-
| colspan="5"|Hosted 3 ] Champions (1915, 1917, 1924)
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 12 || 1 || 0.923 || 75,116
|-
| colspan="5"|Hosted 1 National Champion (1915)
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 12 || 0 || 1.000 || 57,788*
|-
| colspan="5"|Produced 6 ]
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 12 || 1 || 0.923 || 79,957*
|-
| colspan="5"|Developed 2 ]
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 3 || 0.769 || 77,378
|-
| colspan="5"|
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 9 || 2 || 0.818 || 64,721
|-
| colspan="5"|'''Huff Hall Facts'''
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 12 || 0 || 1.000 || 63,912
|-
| colspan="5"|Fighting Illini played 38 years in Huff Hall
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 9 || 2 || 0.818 || 68,448
|-
| colspan="5"|Attendance averaged 7,025 fans per game
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 3 || 0.769 || 76,032
|-
| colspan="5"|Single game attendance record: February 22, 1937 vs. Wisconsin–9,000
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 9 || 3 || 0.750 || 68,292
|-
| colspan="5"|Hosted 8 ] Champions (1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963)
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 10 || 2 || 0.833 || 74,719
|-
| colspan="5"|Hosted 1 National Champion (1943) & 3 Final Four teams (1949, 1951, 1952)
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 7 || 3 || 0.700 || 60,457
|-
| colspan="5"|Produced 33 ]
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ] || 8 || 4 || 0.667 || 75,376
|-
| colspan="5"|Developed 1 ]
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| ]** || 9 || 0 || 1.000 || 61,025
|- style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Illinois Fighting Illini}}"
| '''Combined Totals'''
| '''433'''
| '''116'''
| '''{{Winning percentage|433|116}}'''
| '''2,507,959*'''
|bgcolor=#14294B|
| '''Huff Hall Totals'''
| '''339'''
| '''77'''
| '''{{Winning percentage|339|77}}'''
| '''2,283,362*'''
|}
Notes:
*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Denotes incomplete or partial records.
*<nowiki>**</nowiki>Played 9 games at Huff Hall but played final 2 games at ].
*(N/R) denotes ''no records''<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210070837/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/records/ |date=February 10, 2015 }}</ref>


==See also==
===Single-season Leaders===
* ]
* Points Scored: Don Freeman (668, 1966)
* ]
* Assists: ] (264, 2005)
* ]
* Rebounds: Skip Thoren (349, 1965)
* Steals: ] (89, 1989)


==References==
===Single-game leaders===
{{Reflist|30em}}
* Points Scored: Dave Downey (53, 1963)
* Assists: Tony Wysinger (16, 1986)
* Rebounds: Skip Thoren (24, 1963)
* Steals: Bruce Douglas (8, 1984)


==Seasons== ==External links==
{{commons cat}}
===2006-2007===
* {{official website}}
In the ], the Illini finished tied for 4th place in the Big Ten, earning the 6th seed in the ], and losing in the seminfinals to {{cbb link|year=2006-07|sex=men|team=Wisconsin Badgers|school=University of Wisconsin-Madison|title=Wisconsin}}. The Illini were selected as a 12-seed in the ]; losing their opening-round game to {{cbb link|year=2006-07|sex=men|team=Virginia Tech Hokies|school=Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University|title=Virginia Tech}} by a score of 54-52. This was the first time the Illini failed to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 1999.


{{Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball navbox}}
===2004-2005===
{{University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus}}
In 2004-2005 the Illini went 37-2 tying the record for most wins in a season. They lost in the National Championship to the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Illini won the Big Ten regular season and tournament which was held in Chicago. They gained a #1 seed in the "big dance" and posted one of the most memorable games in NCAA history against Arizona. Down 15 points with around 4 minutes left, the Illini sparked a run led by Deron Williams. The game was sent into overtime and the orange and blue pulled off the one point win to advance to the Final Four in St. Louis. Against the Louisville Cardinals in the Final Four they won in their final victory of the season. The Illini had all 5 starters; Deron Williams, Luther Head, Dee Brown, James Augustine, and Roger Powell Jr.; eventually play in the NBA. Deron Williams and Luther Head are stars with the Utah Jazz Houston Rockets respectfully. Coach Bruce Weber also won many Coach of the Year awards.
{{Big Ten Conference men's basketball navbox}}


]
===External links===
]
] ]
]
]
{{collegebasketball-stub}}

Latest revision as of 06:21, 9 January 2025

Men's basketball team of the University of Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
2024–25 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
UniversityUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
First season1905–06; 120 years ago
All-time record1,901–1,060 (.642)
Athletic directorJosh Whitman
Head coachBrad Underwood (8th season)
ConferenceBig Ten
LocationChampaign, Illinois
ArenaState Farm Center
(capacity: 15,544)
NicknameFighting Illini
Student sectionOrange Krush
ColorsOrange and blue
   
Uniforms
Home jersey Team colours Home Away jersey Team colours Away Alternate jersey Team colours Team colours Alternate
Pre-tournament Premo-Porretta champions
1915
Pre-tournament Helms champions
1915
NCAA tournament runner-up
2005
NCAA tournament Final Four
1949, 1951, 1952, 1989, 2005
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1942, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1989, 2001, 2005, 2024
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1951, 1952, 1963, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2024
NCAA tournament round of 32
1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA tournament appearances
1942, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference tournament champions
2003, 2005, 2021, 2024
Conference regular season champions
1915, 1917, 1924, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2022

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Big Ten Conference, that represent the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Home games are played at the State Farm Center, located on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's campus in Champaign. Illinois has one pre-tournament national championship and one non-NCAA tournament national championship in 1915 and 1943, awarded by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. Illinois has appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 34 times, and has competed in 5 Final Fours, 10 Elite Eights, and has won 18 Big Ten regular season championships, and 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships.

The team is currently coached by Brad Underwood, who was hired on March 18, 2017. Through the end of the 2023–24 season, Illinois ranks 13th all-time in winning percentage and 13th all-time in wins among all NCAA Division I men's college basketball programs.

History

See also: List of Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball seasons

1906–12: Early years

One of the first teams fielded by Illinois, 1905–06

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team began play during the 1905–06 season with Elwood Brown guiding the team to a 9–8 record as their first coach. Frank L. Pinckney took control of the team before the start of the 1906–07 season. The team would win their first game but would end up dropping the next 10 contests.

Another coaching change led to Fletcher Lane being in charge of the team for the 1907–08 season. After starting the season 14–1 in non-conference, Illinois would finish the season losing five of their 11 conference games, ending the year third in the Western Conference with a 20–6 (6–5) record.

Even though Lane led a successful season, his style of coaching was deemed subpar. Former Illini player Herb Juul was then hired as the head coach of the 1908–09 squad. The Illini would not see the same success as the season prior, finishing the season with a 7–6 (5–6) record. Despite the struggles, Juul became the first coach in Illinois history to return for more than one season. However, the 1909–10 season would be his last as the Illini finished with a 5–4 (5–4) record.

Thomas E. Thompson took the reigns before the 1910–11 season. The Illini would finish fourth in the Western Conference after earning a 6–6 (6–5) record. The 1911–12 season was Thompson's last year as head coach of the Illini after they finished with an 8–8 (4–8) record.

1912–20: Ralph Jones era

Before the start of the 1912–13 season, Illinois hired former Purdue head coach, Ralph Jones. During his three seasons in West Lafayette, Jones compiled a 32–9 record, while also winning the previous two Western Conference titles. During his first season with Illinois, Jones led the Illini to a 10–6 record which was Illinois' second 10-win season in school history.

During the 1914–15 season, Illinois won their first-ever Big Ten title, going 16–0 (12–0). They were retroactively declared champion of that season by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. They would earn another Big Ten title during the 1916–17 season, sharing it with Minnesota.

1936–47: Douglas Mills era

The "Whiz Kids" during practice.

Before the start of the 1936–37 season, Douglas R. Mills began acting as the head coach and athletic director of the Illinois men's basketball team. In his first season, the Illini finished with a 14–4 (10–2) record, which was good enough to share the Big Ten title with Minnesota.

Before World War II broke out, the Fighting Illini men's basketball program had achieved a status that had never been seen prior. Mills grouped a team of players, all around 6-foot-3, into a nearly undefeatable lineup later known as the "Whiz Kids". The 1941–42 freshman and sophomore lineup of Arthur Smiley, Ken Menke, Andy Phillip, Gene Vance, Victor Wukovits, and Art Mathisen dominated the Big Ten by posting a 13–2 conference record and winning the conference title outright. It would be their first unanimous Big Ten championship since 1915.

The Illini finished 1942–43 season with a 17–1 (12–0) record, winning their second-straight Big Ten title. Despite being ranked No. 1 in the nation, they opted not to play in the 1943 NCAA tournament after three of their five starters were called to duty in World War II. At the end of the season, they were named Premo-Porretto Pre-Associated Press Poll national champions.

The 1946–47 season, would be Mills' last season as the head coach of the Illini. The team ended the season with a 14–6 (8–4) record, finishing one game behind Wisconsin in the Big Ten standings. Under Mills, the Illini compiled a record of 151 wins and 66 losses while winning three conference championships in the process.

1947–67: Harry Combes era

Champaign High School basketball coach Harry Combes was hired to succeed Doug Mills as Mills left the position to focus on his duties as the athletic director. Through his first five seasons as head coach, Combes led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Final Four appearances in 1949, 1951, and 1952. During his tenure as coach, Combes increased the Fighting Illini's offensive output by changing their style of play. Combes implemented Full-court press defense, causing turnovers at a high rate which translated into Fast break points.

In 1951, Combes signed the first black player to don an Illinois uniform, 3x All-State point guard Walt Moore of Mount Vernon. Along with teammate and future Illinois standout Max Hooper, Moore led the Rams to back-to-back state championship titles, culminating with a perfect 33–0 record in 1950.

During the 1957–58 season, Mannie Jackson and Govoner Vaughn were inserted into the starting lineup as the first two African-Americans to start and letter in basketball at Illinois. Combes also oversaw the Illini's move from Huff Hall to Assembly Hall in 1963 and during that same season the Illini won a fourth Big Ten Conference championship under Combes. However, the Illini lost to eventual national champion Loyola (Chicago) in the Elite Eight of the 1963 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The following 1964–65 season, saw several upset victories over defending national champion UCLA Bruins and national powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.

Combes' tenure came to an end as a result of the University of Illinois slush fund scandal. As head coach of the basketball team, he was primarily responsible for the basketball fund, and thus held a key role in the scandal. Assistant basketball coach Howie Braun also lost his job due to the scandal.

1967–74: Harv Schmidt era

Former Illini player Harv Schmidt was hired to fill the head coaching vacancy ten days after Combes' forced resignation. During his tenure, the Illini compiled an 89-77 overall record but went 43-55 in conference play. The team did not have any postseason appearances during his tenure.

1974–75: Gene Bartow year

Gene Bartow would later sign a five-year contract to replace Schmidt in 1974, but he left after one season in which the Illini finished last place in the conference to replace John Wooden at UCLA.

1975–96: Lou Henson era

In 1975, after having taken New Mexico State (and future Illinois assistant coach Jimmy Collins) to the 1970 Final Four, Lou Henson moved to the University of Illinois to replace Gene Bartow, after Bartow left Illinois to replace the legendary John Wooden at UCLA. Henson would lead the Fighting Illini back to their glory after having a number of difficult years following the Illinois slush fund scandal (where Illinois was hit with severe penalties for infractions that other Big 10 schools had in years prior been punished much more leniently (according to Sports Illustrated) at the time). In 21 years at Illinois, Henson garnered 423 wins and 224 losses (.654 winning percentage), and with a record of 214 wins and 164 losses (.567) in Big Ten Conference games. The 214 wins in Big Ten games were the third highest total ever at the time of his retirement. At Illinois, Henson coached many future NBA players, including Eddie Johnson, Derek Harper, Ken Norman, Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle, Marcus Liberty, Steve Bardo, and Kiwane Garris.

Early 1980s

In 1981, Illinois made strides in its return to the national spotlight with a 21–8 record, a third-place Big Ten finish and an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. The team received a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and beat Wyoming, 67–65, in Los Angeles to advance to the regionals in Salt Lake City, where Illinois lost to Kansas State, 57–52. During this season, the Fighting Illini led the Big Ten in scoring for the second consecutive season and were again led by Eddie Johnson and Mark Smith. Guards Craig Tucker and Derek Harper arrived to add backcourt punch, and Harper began his Illini career being named First-Team Freshman All-America by ESPN and ABC.

See also: 1979–80 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team and 1983–84 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

Flyin' Illini

See also: 1988–89 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

The top-seeded and top-ranked 1989 Illini were upset 83–81 in the Final Four on a last second basket by Michigan's Sean Higgins, ending the school's deepest run in the tournament at that time. Illinois had beaten the Wolverines by 12 and 16 points in two previous meetings that season. The 1988–89 Illinois Fighting Illini team gained the moniker "Flyin' Illini" by Dick Vitale during an ESPN broadcast that season. The team also gained national prominence for its athletic players, such as NCAA slam dunk champions Kenny Battle and Kendall Gill, as well as Lowell Hamilton, Nick Anderson, Marcus Liberty, and Stephen Bardo.

1990s

The early 1990s Illini were dominated by players such as guards Andy Kauffman, Richard Keene, and Kiwane Garris, as well as centers Shelly Clark and Deon Thomas. Thomas was at the center of a report of misconduct by Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball assistant coach Bruce Pearl, who alleged that Thomas had been offered cash to attend Illinois. The Illini were suspended from postseason play for one season for unrelated violations uncovered during the investigation.

1996–00: Lon Kruger years

After longtime coach Lou Henson's departure, Illinois hired Lon Kruger to fill the vacancy for the 1996 season. Kruger was the 14th head basketball coach in program history. During his four-year tenure he compiled a 59–38 record. He immediately made an impact at Illinois leading them to a 22–10 record and a second round NCAA tournament appearance in his first year. This created excitement because of the ninth-place finish the Illini had taken just before his arrival. Kruger inherited players such as Victor Chukwudebe, Jerry Hester, Kevin Turner, Jerry Gee, Matt Heldman, Brian Johnson, Kiwane Garris and Cleotis Brown. During his four seasons at Illinois, three of which resulted in NCAA Tournament berths, (all three of which saw the Illini eliminated in the 2nd round) Kruger became the only Big Ten coach to successfully sign three consecutive Illinois Mr. Basketball winners, inking Sergio McClain, Frank Williams, and Brian Cook between 1997 and 1999.Several times during his coaching tenure the Illini were predicted to be at the bottom of the Big Ten, however he overcame adversity each time performing far better than expected.

2000–03: Bill Self years

Illinois picked Tulsa coach Bill Self from a list of numerous candidates, including popular assistant Jimmy Collins, to succeed Kruger, who moved on to the NBA to coach the Atlanta Hawks. Bill Self was hired to the Illini coaching staff as the 15th head coach in the history of the program. He spent his previous seven years as the head coach of Oral Roberts University and Tulsa University where he compiled an overall record of 129–71. In 2001, his first season at Illinois, Self coached his new Fighting Illini squad to a 27–8 record, a share of the Big Ten title, and a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That 27-game winning season in Self's first year was the second most winning season in school history at that time. McClain, Cook and preseason Big Ten player of the year Cory Bradford led the Illini to the Elite Eight, where they fell to eventual finalist Arizona in a much disputed contest. The Illini were accused of being overly physical most of the season, especially McClain and pesky guards Sean Harrington and Lucas Johnson (younger brother of former Illini forward Brian Johnson). The '01 Illini team also included Robert Archibald, Damir Krupalija and Marcus Griffin. With mostly the same core, Illinois followed up the season with impressive 2002 and 2003 campaigns, but fell in the Sweet 16 in 2002. He was the first head coach in the Big Ten, since 1912, to lead his team to conference championships in each of his first two seasons. It was also the first time Illinois won back-to-back titles in 50 years. Self, also, had an overall record of 78–24 in his three years as Illinois head coach. Self left for Kansas after the 2003 season.

2003–12: Bruce Weber era

Bruce Weber served as the head coach of Illinois basketball for nine seasons from 2003 to 2012.

After Bill Self left, Illinois AD Ron Guenther hired Weber to coach the Fighting Illini on April 30, 2003. Weber came from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale and was touted as a loyal coach, which was valued by the Illinois AD after both Kruger and Self left Champaign with relatively short tenures. In his five seasons as head coach at SIU, Weber took the Saluki program to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference, winning league titles in 2002 and 2003. He posted records of 28–8 and 24–7 in his last two seasons, leading the Salukis to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2002 with wins over Texas Tech and Georgia at the United Center in Chicago. His .689 (62–28) winning percentage in MVC play ranked 12th in the long history of the league. Weber earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors following the 2003 season.

Illinois totaled 210 victories under Weber from 2004 to 2012. He ranks third on the Illinois career coaching wins list. He won 67.5 percent of his games while in charge of the Fighting Illini (210–101). Under Weber, the Illini had two Big Ten Championships (2004, 2005), two runner-up finishes (2006, 2009) and seven upper-division finishes.

Illinois had five players selected in the NBA draft under Weber, as Deron Williams (No. 3, Utah Jazz) and Luther Head (No. 24, Houston Rockets) were taken in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft, and James Augustine (No. 41, Orlando Magic) and Dee Brown (No. 46, Utah Jazz) were chosen in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft. Meyers Leonard was chosen 11th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA draft following Weber's final season. Utah's selection of Williams at No. 3 overall in the 2005 lottery made him the highest-drafted player in Illinois history.

It took just one season for Weber to etch his name in the Big Ten and Illinois record books after leading the Fighting Illini to its first outright Big Ten title in 52 years during the 2003–04 season. In leading his young team that featured just one senior on the roster, Weber became just the third coach in the history of the Big Ten to win an outright title in his first season. Illinois had to win 10 straight to end the regular season to claim the championship, including six-straight wins on the road. Illinois' 26 wins in 2003–04 tied the fourth-winningest season in school history. Weber also led the Illini to the Sweet 16 with NCAA Tournament victories over Murray State and Cincinnati.

Weber's second year at Illinois, the 2004–05 season, will be remembered as one of the greatest in Fighting Illini history, finishing 37–2 as the National Runner-Up in the NCAA tournament. In a remarkable year where Illinois celebrated its centennial season of basketball, the Illini reeled off 29 straight wins to start the year, tying the 12th-best start in NCAA Div. I history and the third-best start in Big Ten history. Illinois also secured its second-straight outright Big Ten championship with a 15–1 league record, as Weber became the first coach in Big Ten history to win consecutive outright titles in his first two seasons. Illinois then added a Big Ten tournament championship in addition to its regular season title. The Illini were ranked No. 1 in the nation for 15 straight weeks, including a first-ever No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

They gained the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and prevailed in one of the most memorable games in NCAA history against Arizona. Down 15 points with around 4 minutes left, the Illini rallied with a run led by Luther Head and Deron Williams. The game was sent into overtime and the Illini pulled off a one-point win to advance to the 2005 Final Four in St. Louis. It was the Fighting Illini's first Final Four Appearance since the 1988–89 season. Against the Louisville Cardinals in the national semifinal game, the Illini posted their final victory of the season. All of the five Illini starters–Deron Williams, Luther Head, Dee Brown, James Augustine, and Roger Powell, Jr.–would eventually play in the NBA. Williams and Brown both joined the Utah Jazz roster, while Luther Head went on to play for the Sacramento Kings.

With all that Illinois accomplished during the season, Weber swept the 2005 National Coach of the Year awards, claiming the following: the Naismith Award, the most prestigious coaching award in college basketball; the Henry Iba Award, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association; and, the Adolph F. Rupp Cup. Weber was also named National Coach of the Year by the NABC, Associated Press, The Sporting News, Basketball Times, CBS/Chevrolet, Victor Awards and Nike Championship Basketball Clinic.

Despite losing three starters and 63 percent of its scoring from the 2004–05 NCAA runner-up squad, Weber directed the 2005–06 Illini to a third-consecutive 4829-win season, a runner-up finish in the Big Ten, the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and a ranking among the nation's top 17 teams throughout the entire season. The Illini spent the majority of 2005–06 ranked in the Top 10 and recorded 26 wins on the year to tie the fourth-winningest season in school history. The Illini were given a number 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they beat Air Force in the opening round, before falling to the University of Washington in the second round.

The 2006–07 team finished with a record of 23–12 (9–7) and finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten. With a depleted roster that had six different players combine to miss a total of 58 games due to injury, the Illini still advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They were awarded a 12 seed and lost in the opening round to Virginia Tech.

The 2007–08 season was one of the worst seasons in Illinois history, highlighted by a string of close losses. The lone bright spot came as Illinois came on strong to win four of its last five and five of its final seven games, which culminated with a runner-up finish at the Big Ten tournament. Weber's Illini became the first No. 10 seed in the tournament's history to advance to the title game, winning three games in three days with victories over Penn State, No. 17 Purdue, and Minnesota to reach the championship game vs. No. 8 Wisconsin. However, with an overall record of 16–19 (5–13), the Illini were not selected to participate in postseason play.

Weber's 2008–09 UI squad was one of the most improved teams in the country finishing with a record of 24–10 (11–7). With 10 more regular season victories than it achieved the year before, Illinois posted the third-biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I and the second-biggest turnaround among BCS programs on the year. The Illini recorded 24 wins, ranking as the 10th winningest season in school history. Illinois was the Big Ten runner-up, earned a No. 5 seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, and finished the year ranked 24th in the Pomeroy rankings. The Illini lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to the 12th-seeded Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

During the 2009–10 season, the Illini finished 21–15 (10–8) and finished 5th in the Big Ten. The team was widely considered to be "on the bubble" for the NCAA tournament and missed the tournament field by a narrow margin. The Illini competed in the NIT, falling at home to the Dayton Flyers in the NIT Quarterfinals.

Illinois rebounded in 2010–11 to finish 20–14 (9–9) and tied for fourth in the Big Ten. The Illini were selected to join the NCAA tournament as a #9 seed, where they defeated the #8 seeded UNLV Rebels setting up a matchup with the #1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks and former coach Bill Self. Kansas proved to be too much for the Illini, and the season came to an end in the round of 32.

In 2011–12, Weber's last as coach of the Illini, the team finished 17–15 (6–12), good for 9th in the conference. The team did not compete in the postseason. Illinois' new AD Mike Thomas fired Weber after the 2011–12 season.

2012–17: John Groce era

Coach Groce

John Groce was hired by the new athletic director Mike Thomas on March 28, 2012. During the 2012–13 season, the Illini were the Maui Invitational champions and later made the NCAA tournament, losing their second game to the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 63–59. The Illini spent eight weeks nationally ranked in the NCAA Division I rankings, and for two weeks were ranked as high as 10th in the country.

The 2013–14 season saw major roster turnover, with nine players leaving and nine players joining the program. This season was one to forget, as the Illini would ultimately miss the NCAA Tournament and lose in the second round of the NIT.

In 2014, Groce continued Illinois' success in November, improving to 21–0 under Groce and 32–0 overall during the past four seasons. Illinois is the only program in the nation with an undefeated November record dating back to 2011. The 2014–2015 season was once again disappointing for the Illini. Illinois finished with a record of 19–14, finishing tied for 7th place in the Big Ten with a record of 9–9. The Illini were then beaten in the first round of the NIT.

The 2015–16 season ended with the fewest total wins in almost 20 years since the 98–99 Lon Kruger crew won only 14 games. Groce's squad finished with a record of 15–19, taking 12th place in the Big Ten and receiving no post-season tournament invitations.

The 2016–17 season was another disappointing season for the Fighting Illini, as they finished the season at 18–14 and 8–10 in the conference, failing to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. On March 11, 2017, the university announced via press release that Groce had been relieved of his duties as head men's basketball coach. The next day, the team was put into the NIT as a 2-seed. The team was coached during the NIT by interim coach Jamall Walker, making it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the University of Central Florida.

2017–present: Brad Underwood era

On March 18, 2017, Brad Underwood was hired by athletic director Josh Whitman. Underwood previously coached at Stephen F. Austin from 2013 to 2016, before spending one year at Oklahoma State. In Underwood's first season at Illinois, the team won each of their first five contests. After beginning conference play 0–8, they ended the season with a record of 14–18.

While the 2018–19 season featured the debut of key pieces including Ayo Dosunmu, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Andres Feliz, and Alan Griffin, the Illini posted one of the worst records in program history at 12–21 (7–13 in Big Ten). Despite the poor record, Illinois had many memorable moments such as upsetting #9 Michigan State at home and Bezhanishvili scoring 35 points against Rutgers, breaking the Illini record for most points by a freshman in a single game.

The 2019–20 season was the freshman year of highly ranked center Kofi Cockburn. The Illini started the season slow in the first game, barely beating Nicholls State 78–70 in overtime. During the ACC–Big Ten Challenge, Illinois played Miami where they lost 81–79 after they mounted a huge comeback before a charge was called against Dosunmu on the game's final play. The next game they traveled to College Park to play against #3 Maryland. The Illini led by 14 at the half, but Maryland outscored Illinois 34–19 in the second half and won the game by an Anthony Cowan free throw. The Illini next played #5 Michigan at the State Farm Center. They would beat the Wolverines 71–62 to improve to 7–3 on the season. Over the next 12 games, the Illini went 10–2, including Dosunmu's game-winning shot during their second matchup against Michigan to give Illinois a 64–62 lead with half a second left on the clock. Illinois would finish the season with a 21–10 (13–7) record which would be good enough for 4th in the Big Ten. They would also finish ranked 21st in the AP Poll and 22nd in the Coaches Poll.

The 2020–21 season that Underwood finally had mostly his recruits running the team and it certainly showed on the court. After much deliberation, Ayo Dosunmu returned to Illinois for his junior season instead of going to the NBA. He, along with Kofi Cockburn, helped make Illinois into a top-10 team. They went 16-4 (0.800) in the B1G conference but had a worse record than Michigan (14-3, 0.824), and therefore did not earn even a share of the title. This title was disputed as Michigan had failed to play three extra games because of COVID protocols, and only one loss in those three games would have given Illinois the title; Illinois had beaten Michigan by 23 without leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu in Ann Arbor. The team went on to win the Big Ten tournament title, however, after a hard-fought, overtime 91–88 win over OSU. Illinois became a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the 4th time in school history. They were upset by Loyola-Chicago in the 2nd round and finished the season 24–7. Dosunmu became the first player in Illini history to earn 1st-team All-America honors by the AP. Cockburn was named to the AP All-American 2nd-team.

Before the 2021–22 season, Ayo Dosunmu was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, and Adam Miller transferred to LSU, leading to André Curbelo being expected to serve as the primary ball handler. Unfortunately, Curbelo suffered a concussion prior to the season opener that would continue to affect him throughout the season. The team was led by fifth-year players Trent Frazier and Da'Monte Williams. Kofi Cockburn returned for his junior year but was suspended for the first three games for selling his team jerseys during the off-season. The team tied with Wisconsin for a share of the Big Ten regular season title, with a record of 15-5. Due to the tiebreaker rules, the team was seeded first in the Big Ten Tournament but lost its first game to ninth-seeded Indiana. The team was given the #4 seed in the South region of the NCAA tournament. After a 54-53 victory against Chattanooga, the team lost in the second round to Houston. Cockburn was named to the AP All-American 1st-team.

The roster suffered from some major turnover before the 2022–23 season, with five players transferring out of the program, four players graduating, and Kofi Cockburn electing to stay in the NBA draft (and ultimately going undrafted). Three players transferred into the program and six freshmen were recruited. As a result of the roster changes, the team would be led by Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins. The Illini would secure two major wins in non-conference play, beating #8 UCLA in the Continental Tire Main Event semifinal and #2 Texas in the Jimmy V Classic. Both Zacharie Perrin and Skyy Clark left the program during the season. Ultimately the season was a step back for the program, as due to tiebreaker rules, the team received a seven seed and lost to Penn State in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament. The team then received the #9 seed in the West region and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Arkansas. For the first time since Underwood's second season, the team finished the season unranked in the AP Poll.

The 2023-24 season would be one to remember. Three pivotal graduate transfers, Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier, and Justin Harmon joined the team, with Domask and Guerrier starting most games. The Illini went on an undefeated trip to Spain and then beat #1 ranked Kansas in a televised exhibition game. The team lost only two games to non-NCAA tournament teams, once to Penn State and once to Maryland. After finishing second in the Big Ten standings, the team ultimately won the Big Ten Tournament, prevailing over Wisconsin. The team was selected to the NCAA tournament as the #3 seed in the East region. For the first time in Underwood's tenure, the team made the Sweet Sixteen, where it beat the #2 seed, Iowa State. For the first time since the 2004–05 season, the team made the Elite Eight, where it lost to #1-overall and eventual national champion UConn.

Records by Coach

Coach Years Record Conference

Record

Conference

Champion

NCAA

Bids

Thomas E. Thompson 1910–1912 14–14 10–13
Ralph R. Jones 1912–1920 85–34 64–31 2
Frank J. Winters 1920–1922 25–12 14–10
J. Craig Ruby 1922–1936 148–95 94–74 2
Douglas R. Mills 1936–1947 151–66 88–47 3 1
Harry Combes 1947–1967 316–150 174–104 4 4
Harv Schmidt 1967–1974 89–77 43–55
Gene Bartow 1974–1975 8–18 4–14
Lou Henson 1975–1996 423–224 214–164 1 12
Lon Kruger 1996–2000 81–48 38–28 1 3
Bill Self 2000–2003 78–24 35–13 2 3
Bruce Weber 2003–2012 210–101 89–65 2 6
John Groce 2012–2017 95–74 37–53 1
Jamall Walker (interim) 2017 2–1
Brad Underwood 2017– 132-85 75-56 1 4
Totals 1896–1058 998–756 18 34

Championships

National championships

Year Coach Selector Record
1915 Ralph Jones Helms Athletic Foundation, Premo-Porretta Power Poll 16–0
1943 Douglas R. Mills Premo-Porretta Power Poll 17–1

Conference championships

Regular season

Season Conference Coach Overall Conference
1914–15 Western Conference Ralph Jones 16–0 12–0
1916–17† 13–3 10–2
1923–24† Big Ten Conference J. Craig Ruby 11–6 8–4
1934–35† 15–5 9–3
1936–37† Douglas R. Mills 14–4 10–2
1941–42 18–5 13–2
1942–43 17–1 12–0
1948–49 Harry Combes 21–4 10–2
1950–51 22–5 13–1
1951–52 22–4 12–2
1962–63† 20–6 11–3
1983–84† Lou Henson 26–5 15–3
1997–98† Lon Kruger 23–10 13–3
2000–01† Bill Self 27–8 13–3
2001–02† 26–9 11–5
2003–04 Bruce Weber 26–7 13–3
2004–05 37–2 15–1
2021–22† Brad Underwood 23–10 15–5

† – Conference co-champions

Tournament

Year Conference Coach Site Opponent Score
2003 Big Ten Conference Bill Self United Center (Chicago, Illinois) Ohio State 72–59
2005 Bruce Weber United Center (Chicago, Illinois) Wisconsin 54–43
2021 Brad Underwood Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana) Ohio State 91–88 OT
2024 Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Wisconsin 93–87

Postseason history

NCAA Division I Tournament

Seeding

The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.

Years → '79 '80 '81 '82 '83 '84 '85 '86 '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98
Seeds → – – 4 – 7 2 3 4 3 3 1 5 – – 6 8 11 – 6 5
Years → '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18
Seeds → – 4 1 4 4 5 1 4 12 – – – – 5 – 9 – 7 – –
Years → '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25
Seeds → – x 1 4 9 3

Results

Year Seed Round Opponent Results
1942 Elite Eight
Regional 3rd-place game 		Kentucky
Penn State 		L 44–46
L 34–41
1949 Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd-place game 		Yale
Kentucky
Oregon State 		W 71–67
L 47–76
W 57–53
1951 Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd-place game 		Columbia
NC State
Kentucky
Oklahoma A&M 		W 79–71
W 84–70
L 74–76
W 61–46
1952 Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd-place game 		Dayton
Duquesne
St. John's
Santa Clara 		W 80–61
W 74–68
L 59–61
W 67–64
1963 Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight 		Bowling Green
Loyola–Chicago 		W 70–67
L 64–79
1981 #4 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen 		#5 Wyoming
#8 Kansas State 		W 67–65
L 52–57
1983 #7 First Round #10 Utah L 49–52
1984 #2 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight 		#7 Villanova
#3 Maryland
#1 Kentucky 		W 64–56
W 72–70
L 51–54
1985 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen 		#14 Northeastern
#6 Georgia
#2 Georgia Tech 		W 76–57
W 74–58
L 53–61
1986 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Fairfield
#5 Alabama		 W 75–51
L 56–58
1987 #3 First Round #14 Austin Peay L 67–68
1988 #3 First Round
Second Round		 #14 Texas-San Antonio
#6 Villanova		 W 81–72
L 63–66
1989 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		 #16 McNeese State
#9 Ball State
#4 Louisville
#2 Syracuse
#3 Michigan		 W 77–71
W 72–60
W 83–69
W 89–86
L 81–83
1990 #5 First Round #12 Dayton L 86–88
1993 #6 First Round
Second Round		 #11 Long Beach State
#3 Vanderbilt		 W 75–72
L 68–85
1994 #8 First Round #9 Georgetown L 77–84
1995 #11 First Round #6 Tulsa L 62–68
1997 #6 First Round
Second Round		 #11 Southern California
#14 UT Chattanooga		 W 90–77
L 63–75
1998 #5 First Round
Second Round		 #12 South Alabama
#4 Maryland		 W 64–51
L 61–67
2000 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Penn
#5 Florida		 W 68–58
L 76–93
2001 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #16 Northwestern State
#9 Charlotte
#4 Kansas
#2 Arizona		 W 96–54
W 79–61
W 80–64
L 81–87
2002 #4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #13 San Diego State
#12 Creighton
#1 Kansas		 W 93–64
W 72–60
L 69–73
2003 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Western Kentucky
#5 Notre Dame		 W 65–60
L 60–68
2004 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #12 Murray State
#4 Cincinnati
#1 Duke		 W 72–53
W 92–68
L 62–72
2005 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship 		#16 Fairleigh Dickinson
#9 Nevada
#12 Milwaukee
#3 Arizona
#4 Louisville
#1 North Carolina 		W 67–55
W 71–59
W 77–63
W 90–89
W 72–57
L 70–75
2006 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Air Force
#5 Washington		 W 78–69
L 64–67
2007 #12 First Round #5 Virginia Tech L 52–54
2009 #5 First Round #12 Western Kentucky L 72–76
2011 #9 First Round
Second Round		 #8 UNLV
#1 Kansas		 W 73–62
L 59–73
2013 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 Colorado
#2 Miami		 W 57–49
L 59–63
2021 #1 First Round
Second Round		 #16 Drexel
#8 Loyola–Chicago		 W 78–49
L 58–71
2022 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Chattanooga
#5 Houston		 W 54–53
L 53–68
2023 #9 First Round #8 Arkansas L 63–73
2024 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #14 Morehead State
#11 Duquesne
#2 Iowa State
#1 UConn		 W 85–69
W 89–63
W 72–69
L 52–77

National Invitational Tournament

Seeding

The NIT began seeding the tournament with the 2006 edition.

Years → '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25
Seeds → – – – – 1 – – – 2 3 – 2 – – x – – – – –

Results

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1980 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		 Loyola-Chicago
Illinois State
Murray State
Minnesota
UNLV		 W 105–87
W 75–65
W 65–63
L 63–65
W 84–74
1982 First Round
Second Round		 LIU
Dayton		 W 126–78
L 58–61
1996 First Round Alabama L 69–72
2010 #1 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Stony Brook
Kent State
Dayton		 W 76–66
W 75–58
L 71–77
2014 #2 First Round
Second Round		 Boston University
Clemson		 W 66–62
L 49–50
2015 #3 First Round Alabama L 58–79
2017 #2 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Valparaiso
Boise State
UCF		 W 82–57
W 71–56
L 58–68

Facilities

Kenney Gym

Kenney Gym (1905–1925)

Main article: Kenney Gym and Kenney Gym Annex

Kenney Gym Annex is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena that is the practice facility for the Fighting Illini gymnastics team. Before the opening of Huff Hall in 1925, Kenney Gym housed the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team. It also was home to the Women's Volleyball program from 1974 until 1989, after which the program moved to Huff Hall in 1990.

Huff Hall (1925–1963)

Main article: Huff Hall

Huff Hall is a 4,050-seat multi-purpose arena in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The arena opened in 1925 and was known as Huff Gymnasium until the 1990s. It is named after George Huff, the school's athletic director from 1895 to 1935. Huff Hall is home to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball and wrestling teams. Before the opening of Assembly Hall in 1963, it was home to the basketball team as well.

State Farm Center

State Farm Center (1963–)

Main article: State Farm Center

Assembly Hall opened on March 2, 1963, and hosts the home games for the men's and women's basketball teams. Max Abramovitz, an Illinois alumnus, was the lead architect behind the building of the indoor arena. At the time of its opening, Assembly Hall could hold 16,128 people, making it the largest dome structure in North America until the Houston Astrodome opened in 1965.

In 2008, school officials, led by athletic director Ron Guenther, conducted a study to decide whether to refurbish the Assembly Hall or build a new basketball arena. In 2010, they decided to keep the arena. In 2014, renovations began under the watch of AECOM, an architectural firm based out of Dallas Texas. The estimated cost of the project was estimated to be around $169.5 million and in turn State Farm Insurance decided to buy the naming rights of the stadium.

Ubben Basketball Complex (1998–present)

The 2-story, 40,000-square-foot building is home to the University of Illinois Men's and Women's basketball programs. The facility includes offices, locker areas, weight training facilities and team meeting rooms in addition to the practice basketball courts. The Illinois Champions Campaign was a major catalyst of the $40 million renovation.

Prairie Capital Convention Center (2015)

Main article: Bank of Springfield Center

In November 2015, the arena hosted the team for five games while renovations to the State Farm Center were completed.

Rivalries

Indiana Hoosiers

Main article: Illinois–Indiana men's basketball rivalry

Illinois and Indiana's rivalry started because the teams share a state border and they are located about 153 miles (246 km) apart. They have played annually since 1906. Indiana currently leads the series 96–92. The teams have played each other in five top-ten matchups, the first coming in 1952 when 2nd-ranked Illinois beat 4th-ranked Indiana 78–66. The longest winning streak was when Indiana won nine consecutive matchups from 1972 to 1977.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Main article: Illinois–Iowa men's basketball rivalry

Northwestern Wildcats

Main article: Illinois–Northwestern men's basketball rivalry

Missouri Tigers

Main article: Braggin' Rights

Notable Illini players and coaches

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers

Class Inductee Tenure Category
1960 H. V. Porter — Contributor
1961 Andy Phillip 1941–1943, 1946–1947 Player
1971 Abe Saperstein 1920 Contributor
2004 Jerry Colangelo 1960–1962 Contributor
2017 Mannie Jackson 1957–1960 Contributor
2017 Bill Self 2000–2003 Coach

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famers

Year Inductee Tenure Category
2006 Andy Phillip 1941–1943, 1946–1947 Player
2007 Vic Bubas 1944–1945 Contributor
2009 Gene Bartow 1974–1975 Coach
2015 Lou Henson 1975–1996 Coach

Award winners

National awards

Conference awards

NCAA All-Americans

All-Americans Andy Phillip (top left), Bill Hapac (top right), Ayo Dosunmu (bottom left), and Kofi Cockburn (bottom right).

Illinois has had a total of 34 players who have claimed All-American status.

† = Consensus All-American

Illinois All-Century Team

In 2004, during the celebration of the program's 100th year of basketball as a varsity sport, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its All-Century Team. The 20-man team was selected after online voting by fans and the Illinois Basketball Centennial Committee. The honorees were feted during the Illinois Basketball Centennial Reunion Weekend, Jan. 28–30, 2005.

 †  Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
 ‡  National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
 §  Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.

Position Player Tenure Honors
Guard Ray Woods 1914–1917
Guard Andy Phillip 1941–1943, 1946–1947
Guard Gene Vance 1941–1943, 1946–1947
Guard Donnie Freeman 1963–1966
  • First-team All-American (1966)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1966)
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (1965)
Guard Derek Harper 1980–1983
  • Second-team All-American (1983)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1983)
Guard Bruce Douglas 1982–1986
  • Co–Big Ten Player of the Year (1984)
  • 2× Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1986)
  • Third-team All-American (1984)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1984)
  • 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1985, 1986)
  • NCAA All-Regional Team (1984)
Guard Nick Anderson 1987–1989
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1989)
  • Second-team All-Big Ten (1988)
  • NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player (1989)
  • NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
Guard Kendall Gill 1986–1990
  • University of Illinois Athlete of the Year (1990)
  • Kenny Battle Leadership Award (1989)
  • Consensus Second-team All-American (1990)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1990)
  • NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
Guard Frank Williams 1999–2002
Forward Dwight "Dike" Eddleman 1945–1949
Forward Dave Downey 1960–1963
  • Big Ten Medal of Honor (1963)
  • First-team All-American (1963)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1963)
  • 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1961, 1962)
  • NCAA All-Regional Team (1963)
Forward Nick Weatherspoon 1970–1973
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1973)
Forward Eddie Johnson 1977–1981
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1981)
  • Second-team All-Big Ten (1980)
Forward Ken Norman 1984–1987
  • Consensus Second-team All-American (1987)
  • 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1986, 1987)
Forward Kenny Battle 1987–1989
  • Second-team All-Big Ten (1989)
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (1988)
  • NCAA All-Regional Team (1989)
Forward Deon Thomas 1990–1994
  • University of Illinois Freshman of the Year (1991)
  • 3× Second-team All-Big Ten (1992, 1993, 1994)
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (1991)
Center Chuck Carney 1920–1922
Center Johnny "Red" Kerr 1951–1954
  • Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball (1954)
  • Third-team All-American (1954)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1954)
  • 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1952, 1953)
  • NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (1952)
Center Skip Thoren 1962–1965
  • First-team All-American (1965)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (1965)
  • Second-team All-Big Ten (1964)
Center Brian Cook 1999–2003

Statistical leaders

Former Fighting Illini Demetri McCamey

All-time records

All-time records
Record Player Tenure Statistic
Games played Da'Monte Williams 2017–22 159
Minutes played Trent Frazier 2017–22 4,881
Points Deon Thomas 1990–94 2,129
Assists Bruce Douglas 1982–86 765
Steals Bruce Douglas 1982–86 324
Blocks Nnanna Egwu 2011–15 201
Field goals made Deon Thomas 1990–94 803
Field goals attempted Eddie Johnson 1977–81 1,658
Field goal percentage Ken Norman 1984–87 .609
Three-pointers made Cory Bradford 1997–02 327
Three-pointers attempted Trent Frazier 2017–22 882
Three-point percentage Cory Bradford 1997–02 .388
Free throws made Kiwane Garris 1993–97 615
Free throws attempted Deon Thomas 1990–94 790
Free throw percentage Kiwane Garris 1993–97 .830

Single-season leaders

Most minutes played
Player Season Stat
Deron Williams 2004–05 1,315
Luther Head 2004–05 1,297
Dee Brown 2004–05 1,272
Demetri McCamey 2009–10 1,241
D. J. Richardson 2012–13 1,218
Most points scored
Player Season Stat
Terrence Shannon Jr. 2023–24 736
Don Freeman 1965–66 668
Andy Kaufmann 1990–91 660
Nick Anderson 1988–89 647
Ken Norman 1986–87 641
Most assists
Player Season Stat
Deron Williams 2004–05 264
Demetri McCamey 2009–10 254
Demetri McCamey 2010–11 208
Bruce Douglas 1984–85 200
Bruce Douglas 1985–86 199
Most steals
Player Season Stat
Kenny Battle 1988–89 89
Bruce Douglas 1985–86 88
Bruce Douglas 1984–85 85
Bruce Douglas 1982–83 78
Frank Williams 1999–2000 74
Most shots blocked
Player Season Stat
Derek Holcomb 1978–79 86
Nnanna Egwu 2013–14 73
Meyers Leonard 2011–12 60
Mike Tisdale 2009–10 59
Nnanna Egwu 2014–15 59
Most field goals made
Player Season Stat
Eddie Johnson 1979–80 266
Nick Anderson 1988–89 262
Don Freeman 1965–66 258
Ken Norman 1986–87 256
Nick Weatherspoon 1972–73 247
Most field goals attempted
Player Season Stat
Don Freeman 1965–66 595
Eddie Johnson 1979–80 576
Dave Scholz 1967–68 541
Nick Weatherspoon 1972–73 540
Johnny Kerr 1953–54 520
Highest field goal percentage (min. 170 attempts)
Player Season Stat
Robert Archibald 2001–02 .659
Kofi Cockburn 2020–21 .654
Ken Norman 1985–86 .641
Dain Dainja 2022–23 .636
James Augustine 2003–04 .635
Most three-pointers made
Player Season Stat
Luther Head 2004–05 116
Most three-pointers attempted
Player Season Stat
Luther Head 2004–05 283
Highest three-point percentage
Player Season Stat
Tom Michael 1991–92 49.3%
Most free throws made
Player Season Stat
Terrence Shannon Jr. 2023–24 221
Most free throws attempted
Player Season Stat
Terrence Shannon Jr. 2023–24 276
Highest free throw percentage
Player Season Stat
Marcus Domask 2023–24 87.5%

Game leaders

Career milestones

1,500 points
Years Player Points
1991–94 Deon Thomas 2,129
1994–97 Kiwane Garris 1,948
2014–17 Malcolm Hill 1,817
2003–06 Dee Brown 1,812
2017–22 Trent Frazier 1,794
2000–03 Brian Cook 1,748
1999–02 Cory Bradford 1,735
2008–11 Demetri McCamey 1,718
1978–81 Eddie Johnson 1,692
2010–13 Brandon Paul 1,654
1978–81 Mark Smith 1,653
2019-22 Kofi Cockburn 1,546
1989–93 Andy Kaufmann 1,533
2018-21 Ayo Dosunmu 1,504
200 three-point field goals
Years Player Three-pointers
1999–02 Cory Bradford 327
2017–22 Trent Frazier 310
2003–06 Dee Brown 299
2010–13 D.J. Richardson 278
1993–96 Richard Keene 237
2008–11 Demetri McCamey 236
2004–07 Rich McBride 216
2010–13 Brandon Paul 211
2002–05 Luther Head 209
500 assists
Years Player Assists
1983–86 Bruce Douglas 765
2008–11 Demetri McCamey 733
2003–06 Dee Brown 674
2003–05 Deron Williams 594
1994–97 Kiwane Garris 502
750 rebounds
Years Player Rebounds
2003–06 James Augustine 1,023
2008–11 Mike Davis 909
2019-22 Kofi Cockburn 861
1983–86 Efrem Winters 853
1991–94 Deon Thomas 846
1978–81 Eddie Johnson 831
1963–65 Skip Thoren 830
2000–03 Brian Cook 815
1971–73 Nick Weatherspoon 803
1961–63 Dave Downey 790
150 blocks
Years Player Blocks
2012–15 Nnanna Egwu 201
1991–94 Deon Thomas 177
2008–11 Mike Tisdale 176
1979–81 Derek Holcomb 174
1979–82 James Griffin 156

Source for all statistical leaders

Fighting Illini of note

See also: List of Illinois Fighting Illini in the NBA draft and Category:Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players
Fighting Illini in the NBA
NBA Draft Selections
Total selected: 77
1st round: 17
Lottery Picks in Draft: 3
Notable achievements
Olympic Gold Medal Winners: 1 player twice
NBA Champions: 4
Naismith Basketball-Hall-of-Famers: 5

First round NBA draft picks

Draft Year Pick Player Selected by Professional career
1951 9 Don Sunderlage Philadelphia Warriors 1953–1955
1954 9 Johnny Kerr Syracuse Nationals 1954–1966
1957 7 George Bon Salle Syracuse Nationals 1957–1962
1970 17 Mike Price New York Knicks 1970–1973
1973 13 Nick Weatherspoon Capital Bullets 1973–1980
1983 11 Derek Harper Dallas Mavericks 1983–1999
1987 19 Ken Norman Los Angeles Clippers 1987–1997
1989 11 Nick Anderson Orlando Magic 1989–2002
1989 27 Kenny Battle Detroit Pistons 1989–2000
1990 5 Kendall Gill Charlotte Hornets 1990–2005
2002 25 Frank Williams Denver Nuggets 2002–2010
2002 24 Brian Cook Los Angeles Lakers 2003–2015
2005 3 Deron Williams Utah Jazz 2005–2017
2005 24 Luther Head Houston Rockets 2005–2018
2012 11 Meyers Leonard Portland Trail Blazers 2012–present
2023 19 Brandin Podziemski Golden State Warriors 2023–present
2024 27 Terrence Shannon Jr. Minnesota Timberwolves 2024–present

Fighting Illini in the NBA

Position Name Height Weight (lbs.) Hometown Draft year Pick Current NBA team
SG Terrence Shannon Jr. 6'6" 215 Chicago, Illinois 2024 27th Minnesota Timberwolves
SG Brandin Podziemski 6'4" 205 Greenfield, Wisconsin 2023 19th Golden State Warriors
PG Ayo Dosunmu 6'5" 200 Chicago, Illinois 2021 38th Chicago Bulls

Fighting Illini in the NBA G League

Position Name Height Weight (lbs.) Hometown Draft Year Pick Current G League Team
SG/SF Matthew Mayer 6'9" 225 Dallas, Texas 2023 Undrafted Texas Legends
PF Giorgi Bezhanishvili 6'9" 245 Rustavi, Georgia 2021 Undrafted Iowa Wolves
SG/SF Malcolm Hill 6'6" 220 Belleville, Illinois 2017 Undrafted Birmingham Squadron
SG/SF Marcus Domask 6'6" 215 Waupun, Wisconsin 2024 Undrafted Windy City Bulls
SG Justin Harmon 6'4" 180 Chicago, Illinois 2024 Undrafted Salt Lake City Stars
SF/PF Quincy Guerrier 6'8" 220 Montreal, Quebec 2024 Undrafted Raptors 905

Fighting Illini playing internationally

Position Name Height Weight (lbs.) Hometown Years with
Illinois 		Professional Team Country
C Kofi Cockburn 7'0" 293 Kingston, Jamaica 2019–2022 Seoul Samsung Thunders  South Korea
PG Andrés Feliz 6'2" 195 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 2018–2020 Joventut Badalona  Spain
PF Michael Finke 6'10" 220 Champaign, Illinois 2016-2019 Yamagata Wyverns  Japan
PG Trent Frazier 6'2" 155 Boynton Beach, Florida 2017–2022 BC Zenit Saint Petersburg  Russia
SG Jacob Grandison 6'6" 190 San Francisco, California 2020–2022 CB Menorca  Spain
G/F Myke Henry 6'6" 230 Chicago, Illinois 2011–2013 Satria Muda Pertamina  Indonesia
SG Kipper Nichols 6'6" 220 Cleveland, Ohio 2017-2020 Sheffield Sharks  England
G Te'Jon Lucas 6'1" 187 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2016–2018 Bristol Flyers  England
SG Kendrick Nunn 6'2" 190 Chicago, Illinois 2013-2016 Panathinaikos B.C.  Greece
G Brandon Paul 6'4" 200 Gurnee, Illinois 2009–2013 KK Budućnost  Montenegro
G Rayvonte Rice 6'5" 234 Champaign, Illinois 2013–2015 Soles de Mexicali  Mexico
SG Jamar Smith 6'3" 185 Peoria, Illinois 2006–2007 Pallacanestro Reggiana  Italy
SG Mark Smith 6'4" 225 Decatur, Illinois 2017–2018 Casademont Zaragoza  Spain
SG Alfonso Plummer 6'1" 180 Fajardo, Puerto Rico 2021-2022 Capitanes de Arecibo  Puerto Rico

Fighting Illini currently coaching

Name Years with
Illinois 		Current Team Position League
Leron Black 2014–18 Rip City Remix Assistant coach NBA G League
Dee Brown 2002–06 Roosevelt Head coach CCAC (NAIA)
Chester Frazier 2005-09 West Virginia Associate Head Coach Big 12 Conference
Jerrance Howard 2000–04 Southern Illinois Assistant coach Missouri Valley Conference
Roger Powell 2001–05 Valparaiso Head coach Missouri Valley Conference
Brian Randle 2003–08 Detroit Pistons Assistant coach NBA
Tyler Underwood 2017-21 Illinois Assistant coach Big Ten Conference

Fighting Illini basketball media members

Name Years with
Illinois 		Media Outlet Role Current Team
Nick Anderson 1987–1989 Fox Sports Florida Commentator Orlando Magic
Stephen Bardo 1986–1990 Big Ten Network College Basketball Analyst Big Ten Conference
Kendall Gill 1986–1990 NBC Sports Chicago Commentator Chicago Bulls
Derek Harper 1980–1983 Fox Sports Southwest Color Commentator Dallas Mavericks
Eddie Johnson 1977–1981 Fox Sports Arizona Play-by-play Commentator Phoenix Suns
Deon Thomas 1991-1994 Fighting Illini Sports Network Color Commentator Fighting Illini Men's basketball

High school honors

Jordan Brand Classic

The following 6 Jordan Brand Classic participants have played for Illinois:

Year Player High School Hometown
2002 Dee Brown Proviso East Maywood, Illinois
2015 Jalen Coleman-Lands La Lumiere School Indianapolis, Indiana
2018 Ayo Dosunmu Morgan Park High School Chicago, Illinois
2020 Adam Miller Morgan Park High School Peoria, Illinois
2022 Skyy Clark Montverde Academy Nashville, Tennessee
2022 Ty Rodgers Thornton Township High School Grand Blanc, Michigan

Nike Hoop Summit

The following 7 Fighting Illini have played in the Nike Hoop Summit:

Year Player High School Hometown
2010 Meyers Leonard Robinson High School Robinson, Illinois
2016 Andres Feliz West Oaks Academy Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2018 Kofi Cockburn Christ the King Regional High School Kingston, Jamaica
2019 Kofi Cockburn Oak Hill Academy Kingston, Jamaica
2019 Andre Curbelo Long Island Lutheran Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
2020 Adam Miller Morgan Park High School Peoria, Illinois
2024 Morez Johnson Thornton Township HS Harvey, Illinois
2024 Kasparas Jakucionis FC Barcelona Bàsquet Vilnius, Lithuania

McDonald's All-Americans

The following 13 McDonald's All-Americans have played for Illinois:

Year Player High School Hometown
1980 Derek Harper North Shore (FL) Royston, Georgia
1982 Bruce Douglas Quincy Senior High School Quincy, Illinois
1982 Efrem Winters King College Prep Chicago
1985 Lowell Hamilton Providence St. Mel School Chicago
1986 Nick Anderson Simeon Career Academy Chicago
1987 Marcus Liberty King College Prep Chicago
1989 Deon Thomas Simeon Career Academy Chicago
1992 Richard Keene Collinsville High School Collinsville, Illinois
1997 Marcus Griffin Manual High School Peoria, Illinois
1998 Frank Williams Manual High School Peoria, Illinois
1999 Brian Cook Lincoln Community High School Lincoln, Illinois
2002 Dee Brown Proviso East Maywood, Illinois
2010 Jereme Richmond Waukegan High School Waukegan, Illinois

Mr. Basketball

The following 16 Mr. Basketball award winners have played for Illinois:

Year Player High school Hometown
1982 Bruce Douglas Quincy Senior High School Quincy, Illinois
1986 Nick Anderson Simeon Career Academy Chicago
1987 Marcus Liberty King College Prep Chicago
1989 Deon Thomas Simeon Career Academy Chicago
1994 Jarrod Gee St. Martin de Porres Chicago
1997 Sergio McClain Manual High School Peoria, Illinois
1998 Frank Williams Manual High School Peoria, Illinois
1999 Brian Cook Lincoln Community High School Lincoln, Illinois
2002 Dee Brown Proviso East Maywood, Illinois
2009 Brandon Paul Warren Township High School Gurnee, Illinois
2010 Jereme Richmond Waukegan High School Waukegan, Illinois
2014 Leron Black White Station High School Memphis, Tennessee
2017 Mark Smith Edwardsville High School Edwardsville, Illinois
2019 Marcus Domask Waupun Area Waupun, Wisconsin
2020 Adam Miller Morgan Park High School Chicago
2021 Brandin Podziemski St. John's Northwestern Military Academy Muskego, Wisconsin
2024 Morez Johnson Thornton Township High School Chicago, Illinois

International honors

Olympians

Year Player Event Country Medal
1948 London Dwight Eddleman High Jump United States United States 4th
1992 Barcelona Jens Kujawa Basketball Germany Germany 7th
2008 Beijing Deron Williams Basketball United States United States
2012 London Robert Archibald Basketball Great Britain United Kingdom 9th
2012 London Deron Williams Basketball United States United States

International championships

Year Player Event Country Medal Ref
1959 Chicago George Bon Salle Pan American Games United States United States
1970 Yugoslavia Tal Brody FIBA World Championship United States United States 5th
1974 Iran Tal Brody Basketball at the 1974 Asian Games Israel Israel
1974 Puerto Rico Rick Schmidt FIBA World Championship United States United States
1979 Mexico Craig Tucker Universiade United States United States
1984 Sweden Jens Kujawa FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship West Germany Germany 5th
1987 Greece Jens Kujawa FIBA EuroBasket West Germany Germany 4th
1993 Germany Jens Kujawa FIBA EuroBasket Germany Germany
1997 Sicily Jerry Hester Universiade United States United States
1998 Greece Kiwane Garris FIBA World Championship United States United States
1999 Spain Cory Bradford Universiade United States United States
2000 Brazil Brian Cook FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship United States United States
2001 Japan Brian Cook FIBA Under-21 World Championship United States United States
2002 Venezuela Dee Brown FIBA Americas U18 Championship United States United States
2002 Venezuela Deron Williams FIBA Americas U18 Championship United States United States
2003 Greece Dee Brown FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup United States United States 5th
2003 Greece Deron Williams FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup United States United States 5th
2007 Las Vegas Deron Williams FIBA AmeriCup United States United States
2009 Poland Robert Archibald FIBA EuroBasket Great Britain United Kingdom 14th
2010 San Antonio Jereme Richmond FIBA Americas U18 Championship United States United States
2011 Lithuania Robert Archibald FIBA EuroBasket Great Britain United Kingdom 13th
2011 Latvia Meyers Leonard FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup United States United States 5th
2011 Mexico Kendrick Nunn FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship United States United States
2012 Lithuania Kendrick Nunn FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup United States United States
2013 Puerto Rico Andres Feliz Centrobasket U17 Championship Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
2014 Colorado Springs Andres Feliz FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
2015 Greece Andres Feliz FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup Dominican Republic Dominican Republic 13th
2015 Toronto Andres Feliz Pan American Games Dominican Republic Dominican Republic 4th
2016 Puerto Rico André Curbelo Centrobasket U15 Championship Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
2016 China Myke Henry FIBA 3x3 World Cup United States United States
2017 Argentina André Curbelo FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
2018 Argentina André Curbelo FIBA Under-17 World Cup Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
2018 Canada Ayo Dosunmu FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship United States United States
2018 Serbia Tomislav Ivisic FIBA U16 European Championship Croatia Croatia
2019 Italy Tomislav Ivisic FIBA U16 European Championship Croatia Croatia 8th
2019 Greece André Curbelo FIBA Under-19 World Cup Puerto Rico Puerto Rico 6th
2019 Puerto Rico RJ Meléndez Centrobasket U17 Championship Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
2021 Latvia Adam Miller FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup United States United States
2022 Tijuana Ty Rodgers FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship United States United States
2022 North Macedonia Kasparas Jakucionis FIBA U16 EuroBasket Lithuania Lithuania
2023 Greece Tomislav Ivisic FIBA U20 European Championship Croatia Croatia 14th
2023 Serbia Kasparas Jakucionis FIBA U18 EuroBasket Lithuania Lithuania 11th
2024 Buenos Ares Morez Johnson Jr. FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship United States United States
2024 Tampere Kasparas Jakucionis FIBA U18 EuroBasket Lithuania Lithuania 6th

Illinois honored players

Honored jerseys

The University of Illinois has honored its most decorated basketball players in school history by hanging a banner with their name and number from the rafters of State Farm Center, along with their career years in terms of spring semesters. A total of 36 men's players have their jersey honored. To have his jersey honored, a player must have met one of the following criteria:

To have an honored jersey hung in the State Farm Center, a player must have achieved one of the following criteria:

1) National Player of the Year

2) Enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame

3) Big Ten Player of the Year

4) Consensus First- or Second-Team All-American

5) Illinois All-Century Team Member

6) Individual whose pioneering efforts made a significant impact on Illinois and international basketball

No. Player Pos. Career National POY National HOF US Olympian Big Ten POY Consensus All-American Illinois All-Century (voted 2004) Basketball Pioneer
1 Ray Woods G 1915–17 Green tickY         Green tickY  
2 Chuck Carney F 1920–22 Green tickY         Green tickY  
19 Bill Hapac F 1938–40         Green tickY    
47 Andy Phillip F 1942–43, 1947 Green tickY Green tickY   Green tickY   Green tickY  
25 Gene Vance G 1942–43, 1947           Green tickY  
14 Walt Kirk G 1942–43, 1947         Green tickY    
40 Dwight "Dike" Eddleman F 1947–49     Green tickY Green tickY   Green tickY  
33 Bill Erickson G 1947–50         Green tickY    
11 Don Sunderlage G 1949–51       Green tickY      
37 Rod Fletcher G 1950–52       Green tickY      
22 Johnny "Red" Kerr C 1952–54       Green tickY   Green tickY  
35 Govoner Vaughn F 1958–60             Green tickY
30 Mannie Jackson G 1958–60   Green tickY         Green tickY
23 Jerry Colangelo G 1960–62   Green tickY          
40 Dave Downey F 1961–63           Green tickY  
35 Duane "Skip" Thoren C 1963–65           Green tickY  
12 Tal Brody G 1963–65             Green tickY
15 Donnie Freeman F 1963–66         Green tickY  
24 Jim Dawson G 1965–67       Green tickY      
12 Nick Weatherspoon F 1971–73           Green tickY  
33 Eddie Johnson F 1978–81           Green tickY  
12 Derek Harper G 1981–83           Green tickY  
25 Bruce Douglas G 1983–86           Green tickY  
33 Ken Norman F 1985–87         Green tickY Green tickY  
33 Kenny Battle F 1988–89           Green tickY  
25 Nick Anderson F 1988–89           Green tickY  
13 Kendall Gill G 1987–90         Green tickY Green tickY  
25 Deon Thomas F/C 1991–94           Green tickY  
20 Frank Williams G 2000–02       Green tickY   Green tickY  
34 Brian Cook F 2000–03       Green tickY   Green tickY  
4 Luther Head G 2002–05         Green tickY    
5 Deron Williams G 2003–05     Green tickY   Green tickY    
11 Dee Brown G 2003–06 Green tickY     Green tickY Green tickY    
11 Ayo Dosunmu G 2019-21         Green tickY    
21 Kofi Cockburn C 2020-22         Green tickY    
0 Terrence Shannon Jr. G 2023-24              
HONORED JERSEYS

#1
RAY
WOODS
1915–17

#1
CHUCK
CARNEY
1920–22

#19
BILL
HAPAC
1938–40

#47
ANDY
PHILLIP
1942–43, 1947

#25
GENE
VANCE
1942–43, 1947

#14
WALT
KIRK
1944–45, 1947

#40
DWIGHT "DIKE"
EDDLEMAN
1947–49

#33
BILL
ERICKSON
1947–50

#11
DON
SUNDERLAGE
1949–51

#37
ROD
FLETCHER
1950–52

#22
JOHN "RED"
KERR
1952–54

#35
GOVONER
VAUGHN
1958–60

#30
MANNIE
JACKSON
1958–60

#23
JERRY
COLANGELO
1960–62

#40
DAVE
DOWNEY
1961-63

#35
DUANE "SKIP"
THOREN
1963–65

#12
TAL
BRODY
1963–65

#15
DON
FREEMAN
1964–66

#24
JIM
DAWSON
1965–67

#12
NICK
WEATHERSPOON
1971–73

#33
EDDIE
JOHNSON
1978–81

#12
DEREK
HARPER
1981–83

#25
BRUCE
DOUGLAS
1983–86

#33
KEN
NORMAN
1985–87

#33
KENNY
BATTLE
1988–89

#25
NICK
ANDERSON
1988–89

#13
KENDALL
GILL
1987–90

#25
DEON
THOMAS
1991–94

#30
FRANK
WILLIAMS
2000–02

#34
BRIAN
COOK
2000–03

#4
LUTHER
HEAD
2002–05

#5
DERON
WILLIAMS
2003–05

#11
DEE
BROWN
2003–06

#11
AYO
DOSUNMU
2019–21

#21
KOFI
COCKBURN
2020–22

#0
TERRENCE
SHANNON JR.
2023–24

Dike Eddleman Award

The University of Illinois Athlete of the Year was first awarded in 1940. The award was annually given to a male student-athlete until it was discontinued in 1973. Revived in 1983, the University of Illinois now recognizes both male and female athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement. In 1993, the awards were named in honor of former Olympian Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, who participated in basketball, football and track and field in 1943 and 1946–49, earning a combined 11 varsity letters during that timeframe. The following list includes Illini basketball players who earned the award.

Player Years played Year awarded
Bill Hapac 1937–40 1940
John Drish 1937–41 1941
Andy Phillip 1942–43, 1947 1942, 1943
Walton Kirk 1943–47 1945
Dike Eddleman 1945–49 1948, 1949
Don Sunderlage 1948–51 1951
Clive Follmer 1950–53 1953
Paul Judson 1953–56 1955
Doug Mills 1959–62 1962
Jim Dawson 1963–67 1967
Dave Scholz 1966–69 1968, 1969
Mike Price 1967–70 1970
Kendall Gill 1986–90 1990
Deron Williams 2002–05 2005
Ayo Dosunmu 2018-21 2020, 2021
Kofi Cockburn 2019-22 2022
Terrence Shannon Jr. 2022-24 2024

Head-to-head Big Ten records

Team Total meetings Wins Losses Pct. Home record Road record Neutral record
Indiana 183 90 93 .492 54–34 30–57 6–2
Iowa 165 89 76 .539 64–17 23–56 2–3
Maryland 19 7 11 .333 2–4 1–6 4–2
Michigan 175 90 85 .514 57–28 31–52 2–5
Michigan State 123 60 63 .488 39–21 20–39 1–3
Minnesota 195 127 68 .651 74–19 47–48 6–1
Nebraska 27 19 8 .704 14–2 5–5 0–1
Northwestern 182 140 42 .769 71–14 64–28 5–0
Ohio State 187 108 80 .574 62–27 43–49 3–3
Oregon 6 4 2 .667 1-0 1-0 2-2
Penn State 49 30 19 .612 14–8 13–10 3–1
Purdue 193 90 103 .466 59–37 29–63 2–3
Rutgers 14 10 4 .714 6–0 3–3 2–0
UCLA 10 4 6 .400 2-2 2-4 0-0
USC 9 3 6 .333 2-2 0-4 1-0
Washington 3 1 2 .333 1-0 0-1 0-1
Wisconsin 202 113 89 .559 69–28 41–58 3–3

Men's basketball records at Kenney Gym and Huff Hall

Season Wins Losses Win pct. Total attendance Season Wins Losses Win pct. Total attendance
1905–06 6 0 1.000 N/R 1925–26 6 3 0.667 N/R
1906–07 0 4 0.000 N/R 1926–27 8 3 0.727 61,590
1907–08 3 2 0.600 N/R 1927–28 3 5 0.375 48,202
1908–09 5 1 0.833 N/R 1928–29 8 3 0.727 30,139*
1909–10 3 2 0.600 N/R 1929–30 5 4 0.556 49,418*
1910–11 3 2 0.600 N/R 1930–31 7 3 0.700 52,440
1911–12 4 3 0.571 N/R 1931–32 8 2 0.800 57,000
1912–13 6 2 0.750 N/R 1932–33 8 3 0.727 34,500*
1913–14 5 2 0.714 N/R 1933–34 9 1 0.900 55,500
1914–15 9 0 1.000 N/R 1934–35 8 2 0.800 62,000
1915–16 6 1 0.857 16,644* 1935–36 7 3 0.700 78,028
1916–17 9 1 0.900 6,417* 1936–37 7 2 0.778 63,238
1917–18 7 1 0.875 5,066* 1937–38 7 2 0.778 63,600
1918–19 3 5 0.375 10,739 1938–39 9 1 0.900 57,933
1919–20 6 1 0.857 24,250* 1939–40 10 1 0.909 55,513
1920–21 6 4 0.600 34,875 1940–41 8 2 0.800 52,751
1921–22 10 2 0.833 40,112 1941–42 12 1 0.923 65,357
1922–23 6 3 0.667 8,424* 1942–43 10 0 1.000 62,648
1923–24 8 3 0.727 41,848 1943–44 6 4 0.600 29,812
1924–25 9 0 1.000 36,222 1944–45 7 3 0.700 44,951
Kenney Gym Totals 94 39 .707 224,597* 1945–46 11 2 0.846 66,553
Kenney Gym Facts 1946–47 10 1 0.909 77,808*
Fighting Illini played 20 years in Kenney Gym 1947–48 11 1 0.917 78,388
Attendance averaged 2,739 fans per game 1948–49 14 0 1.000 49,036*
Single game attendance record: January 24, 1925 vs. Iowa–4,725 1949–50 11 2 0.846 83,736
Hosted 3 Big Ten Champions (1915, 1917, 1924) 1950–51 12 1 0.923 75,116
Hosted 1 National Champion (1915) 1951–52 12 0 1.000 57,788*
Produced 6 All-Americans 1952–53 12 1 0.923 79,957*
Developed 2 National Players of the Year 1953–54 10 3 0.769 77,378
1954–55 9 2 0.818 64,721
Huff Hall Facts 1955–56 12 0 1.000 63,912
Fighting Illini played 38 years in Huff Hall 1956–57 9 2 0.818 68,448
Attendance averaged 7,025 fans per game 1957–58 10 3 0.769 76,032
Single game attendance record: February 22, 1937 vs. Wisconsin–9,000 1958–59 9 3 0.750 68,292
Hosted 8 Big Ten Champions (1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963) 1959–60 10 2 0.833 74,719
Hosted 1 National Champion (1943) & 3 Final Four teams (1949, 1951, 1952) 1960–61 7 3 0.700 60,457
Produced 33 All-Americans 1961–62 8 4 0.667 75,376
Developed 1 National Player of the Year 1962–63** 9 0 1.000 61,025
Combined Totals 433 116 .789 2,507,959* Huff Hall Totals 339 77 .815 2,283,362*

Notes:

  • *Denotes incomplete or partial records.
  • **Played 9 games at Huff Hall but played final 2 games at Assembly Hall.
  • (N/R) denotes no records

See also

References

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