Eighteen years ago today – Dec. 16, 2000 – coach Bill Self’s fifth-ranked Illini basketball team won a United Center brawl against No. 7 Arizona, 81-73. Intense play between Illinois and the Wildcats resulted in 53 total fouls. Led by Marcus Griffin’s 15 points, four other Illini scored in double figures. One of those players, Cory Bradford, hit a three-pointer for the 74th game in a row, breaking the NCAA record in that category.
It was the second meeting in 24 days between the two teams. In Maui, then top-ranked Arizona beat No. 8 Illinois by three points
Here’s a look at the most recent Illini victories over top-10 opponents since 2000:
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