Illinois fields the NCAA Tournament for the 32nd time this season, and enters tournament play with an all-time record of 41–32.
The last four performances in 1949, 1951, 1952, 1989 and 2005, including the second place in 2005, have achieved great heights.
But last year's second round was also lost, and Austin Paye suffered a resounding 1987 defeat, forcing analyst Dick Vitale to claim that he would be better off if the 14-seeded governor defeated the third. Will stand on his head. -Seeded Illini.
Still, making it to the Big Dance is always better than sitting at home. Here are photos from Illini's past NCAA Tournament years. Scroll down to vote for your favorite Illini NCAA Tournament team.