Top 5 Illinois basketball teams since 2000

The 2004–2005 Illinois basketball team celebrated the 20-year anniversary of their Final Four run at the football game last Friday. Program legends Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Bruce Weber, and others were in attendance to honor that historic accomplishment.

From 2004 to 2005, Illini came just one game short of winning the national championship and remained the only Illinois team to reach that stage. Despite falling to North Carolina in the title game, they are widely regarded as the best team in program history. Illinois basketball  has fielded several other outstanding teams this century, and below are my top five since 2000:

1) 2004–2005 Fighting Illini Basketball team: National Runner-ups

As noted, this team went farther than any other in Illinois history. They were the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost only two games all season. Dee Brown earned consensus First-Team All-American honors, while Deron Williams and Luther Head were both named Second-Team All-Americans. In addition to the big three, players like James Augustine and Roger Powell Jr. were vital to the team’s success. The two games that they lost? One was a one-point loss at the end of the regular season to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The only other loss was a five-point defeat in the national championship game vs the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The team made so many great memories along the way for many Illini fans growing up. Who could forget their Elite Eight comeback victory in Rosemont, Illinois, vs the Arizona Wildcats?

2) 2000–2001; Bill Self’s first year with the Illini

Led by then-head coach Bill Self, this Illini squad earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 27–8 record. They were co-Big Ten regular-season champions and advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to No. 2 seed Arizona at the Alamodome. Sophomore Frank Williams was named Big Ten Player of the Year. The team was also led by forward Brian Cook, Cory Bradford, Marcus Griffin, and Sergio McClain. In addition to Williams’ accolades, Bradford also set an NCAA record by making a three-point field goal in 88 consecutive games.

3) 2020–2021; The Team that could have been

After the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, Illinois bounced back with one of its strongest seasons ever. Consensus First-Team All-American Ayo Dosunmu and Consensus Second-Team All-American Kofi Cockburn led the Illini to a Big Ten Tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, their season ended in disappointment with a Round of 32 loss to Loyola Chicago, finishing 24–7 overall. Despite losing that game in the round of 32, this Illinois basketball team put the program back on the national map. Their run to the Big Ten tournament title will be a core memory for many Illini fans for years to come.

4) 2023–2024; The team that overcame and broke a drought

This group ended Illinois’ 17-year drought of reaching the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight before losing to eventual national champion UConn. The Illini posted a 29–9 record, the third-most wins in program history. They captured the Big Ten Tournament title and earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Terrence Shannon Jr. was named an AP Third-Team All-American, while Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask joined him on the All-Big Ten First Team. Senior forwards Coleman Hawkins and Quincy Guerrier were also great to help bring together the offensive firepower that Domask and Shannon Jr. brought.

Shannon Jr. had one of the best individual seasons in Illini history and emerged as college basketball’s best player. His performance en route to a Big Ten tournament championship will go down in history.

5) 2001–2002; Bill Self’s second year in the Orange and Blue

Coming off their Elite Eight run the year prior, Illinois basketball once again finished as Big Ten co-champions and earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They won eight straight games to close the regular season but ultimately fell in the Sweet 16 to No. 1 seed Kansas. The Illini finished 26–9 overall and ranked No. 8 in KenPom’s final ratings.

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