Illinois has made the Final Four five times in school history, but they’ve yet to win a National Championship. Their closest run came in 2005, behind NBA All-Star Deron Williams, and guards Dee Brown and Luther Head (both also played in the NBA), falling to North Carolina 75-70 in an electrifying title game that could’ve gone either way. On the Way Back Up Playing their conference schedule in the loaded Big Ten, the Fighting Illini face some of the stiffest competition in the country on a night in, night out basis. In his first year as head coach after taking over for the Bruce Weber (now at Kansas State), John Groce led Illinois to a 23-13 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament where they defeated Colorado before losing to a powerful Miami [LINK TO: University of Miami Hurricanes] team. Despite the fact that the Illini return just three scholarship players from the 2012-13 season, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Champaign. Coach Groce brings in a talented recruiting class and a handful of transfers that make the Illini one of the deepest teams in the Big Ten. Save on Illinois Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball tickets Purchase discounted Illinois Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball tickets using ScoreBig.com and see a team on the rise. With exceptional recruiting and in-game management, John Groce has reinvigorated the storied program at Illinois. Get out to the State Farm Center and get in on the action.