The last time the Illinois basketball team missed the NCAA tournament three years in a row was 1978-80. With the return of a significant amount of talent from last year, and a big hole in the middle filled with a 5th year transfer, that record should stand.
Malcolm Hill, Leron Black, Kendrick Nunn, and Mike Thorne Jr. should make this Illini team extremely competitive in the Big 10 this year and ensure an invitation to dance in March for the first time since 2013.
Malcolm Hill
Unfortunately for the Illini faithful, this could be Malcolm Hill’s last year in the orange and blue if he continues the growth he showed last year.