Illini Basketball Information

The 2005 season was one of the best in the history of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team. Bruce Weber, their head coach, was trying to beat the previous record and make the most victorious season. To the teams regret, in the recent national championship competition the Illinois Fighting Illini were defeated by the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The official mascot of the Illinois Fighting Illini is the Chief Illiniwek, or simply the Chief. The Chief Illiniwek was portrayed by one of the university students. It represents a Native American dressed in regalia. He is usually dancing between the game periods. This symbol has always been a point of controversy. Many Native Americans consider it to be absolutely misappropriated and even offensive and insulting. Some NCAA representatives called it hostile and abusive. Nevertheless, the Illinois Fighting Illini are not going to change it, as they are used to it and the university administration also supports the symbol.

The Illinois Fighting Illini became the champions of the Big Ten Tournament, and thus became the number one in the NCAA list. The team, though, didnt win the National Championship, as it was defeated by the University of North Carolina. Many fans admit that it is one of the best university basketball teams, which didnt become the National Champion. The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball teams stand out for some of their professional achievements: their overall record, for instance, is 37-2 (in the 2004-2005 season).

The Illinois Fighting Illini mens basketball team appeared five times in the NCAA Final Four. They became a seventeen-time champion of the Big Ten, and a two-time champion of the Big Ten Tournament. The Illinois Fighting Illini womens team won only one Big Ten Champions title (in 1997).

Among the most famous athletes of the University of Illinois are Nick Anderson, James Augustine, Dee Brown, Brian Cook, Dike Eddleman, Kendall Gill, Derek Harper, Luther Head, Eddie Johnson, Johnny Red Kerr, Ken Norman, Deron Williams.

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