High Five: The Illini’s top basketball teams of all-time
So close, yet again.
The Illinois men’s basketball program reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time in two decades, only to fall short in the semifinals with a loss to UConn.
In honor of another milestone season, this edition of the High Five ranks the top seasons in Illinois basketball history.
5. 1914-15 season
The Illini went unbeaten for the only time in their history, and won the Big Ten title (then known as the Western Conference) for the first time. At 16-0 overall, Illinois was named the national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation.
Ray Woods, a member of the Illinois men’s basketball All-Century team, earned All-American honors.
4. 1942-43 season
If not for World War II, the “Whiz Kids” might’ve won a national title.
The Illini posted a 17-1 record including a 12-0 romp through the Big Ten. But when team captain Art Mathisen and fellow starters Ken Menke and Jack Smiley were drafted into the Army, coach Doug Mills decided — with support from the team — not to participate in the NCAA or NIT tournament.
Even though they didn’t compete in the tournaments, postseason polls still rated the Illini as the top team in the nation. Andy Phillip was a consensus All-American.
3. 2025-26 season
Coach Brad Underwood’s decision to go all-in with an international roster paid off with another trip to the Final Four.
While freshman Keaton Wagler emerged as a force in the wake of Kylan Boswell’s early-season injury, the Illini leaned heavily on a rotation including Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic.
The Illini got knocked out in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals, but the rugged road toughened them up. Illinois won the South Region title by beating conference rival Iowa.
2. 1988-89 season
Were the “Flying Illini” the most entertaining team in Illinois basketball history?
What a lineup with Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Stephen Bardo, Kendall Gill, Marcus Liberty and others. The team stormed to a 17-0 start and recovered after losing three of its next four games with Gill injured.
The Illini beat Syracuse to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1952, but lost 83-81 to eventual national champion Michigan in the semifinals. Illinois’ hopes were crushed on a Sean Higgins putback in the final seconds.
1. 2004-05 season
Gotta go with the lone Illinois team to reach the title game.
The Illini accomplished the rare feat of winning regular-season and tournament Big Ten titles. The overall top seed in the NCAA tournament had a stacked starting lineup of Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Luther Head, Roger Powell Jr. and James Augustine.
While Illinois lost in the title game to North Carolina, the tournament run will be remembered for an unbelievable 90-89 overtime victory over Arizona in the Elite Eight. The Illini trailed by 15 points with four minutes to play before a stunning comeback forced the extra period.