“Why not us?”: Illini Embracing Underdog Mentality Role in Elite Eight Drama

Everybody in the Illinois locker room inside TD Garden in Boston knows what comes with being an 8-point underdog in the East Regional Final matchup against Connecticut. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 30, 2024

BOSTON — The psychology involved in the East Regional Final matchup for Illinois is defined by a zero-sum game of its opponent’s legacy. 

Connecticut’s postseason run over these two seasons has resulted in two possibilities: First, they’ll win three more games and become the first program to repeat as national champions since Florida in 2006-07 in as dominant a fashion . . .

 

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