Already Elite, Illini Program Climbs into Exclusive Club

By IlliniGuys Staff

May 31, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

A couple of months ago - on the eve of Illinois' NCAA Regional semifinal matchup with Houston in its hometown, IlliniGuys co-founder and resident numbers nerd Larry Smith wrote a column about the Illini's entrance into the rarefied air of college basketball's elite programs.

https://illiniguys.com/illini-establish-spot-in-college-basketballs-new-elite/

That was then. But this is now.

Illinois' world has completely changed since then . . .

 

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