IlliniGuys.com Staff

October 29, 2021

It's the scene not witnessed at State Farm Center since 2005.

Just prior to Friday night's exhibition game against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the Fighting Illini basketball team received their championship rings and watched as the banner commemorating their Big Ten tournament championship from last March was raised into the rafters.

Illinois recorded the most Big Ten wins during the regular season, going 16-4.  But were denied a conference title as Michigan played fewer games due to cancellations during the pandemic and the failure by conference officials to reschedule some of those games despite the Wolverines and their opponents having open dates on their schedule.  So, it isn't by mistake that the Illini's 16-4 record is prominently displayed on the banner for posterity.

All-American and Chicago Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu had the night off and appeared on the court later in the first half to receive his championship ring before a standing ovation from a near sellout crowd.

More on the celebration and the exhibition game itself here on IlliniGuys.com.