INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WAND) - For the first time in over 20 years, Illinois men's basketball is back in the Final Four and chasing a national championship.
Through a combination of talented freshmen, experienced veterans and a European-based connection, the Illini have marched their way through the NCAA tournament, leading them to Indianapolis.
ILLINI send off to Indy
Since the program clinched their Final Four berth, Champaign and all of central Illinois have become a community buzzing with excitement. Shops are flooded with Illini merchandise, while food vendors and restaurants get in on orange and blue themed meals and beverages.
Fans both young and old are celebrating this year's run at a hopeful championship, while also reminiscing about the successes of the past that have set the foundation for this moment.
Their trip through March Madness has been an exhilarating journey. Illinois handled business over 14th-seeded Penn and 11th-seeded VCU in the first two rounds in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Illini then made the journey to Houston, Texas, out-muscling the hometown Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16. Later, a rematch against Big Ten foe and the #9 seed Cinderella, Iowa, proved a tough test. Fortunately, the orange and blue outlasted a fiery Hawkeyes shooting performance in the Elite 8.
Before Illinois takes the floor inside Lucas Oil Stadium, our WAND Sports team shares what this year's team has accomplished and how they've done so, while also digging into a tradition and celebration that's only strengthened since the 2005 campaign.
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