'It was really surreal to be in that atmosphere'

» moreCHAMPAIGN — State Farm Center was empty the day before the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, save for the Illinois men's and women's teams.

But Illinois coaches Matt Buchi and Stephanie Wheeler wanted their players to experience it as if it were full.

So they had the staff at the arena dim the lights and turn on the spotlight to let their young teams see exactly what the center court introductions would feel like.

"We made sure to practice it so we wouldn't be overwhelmed by the moment," Wheeler said. "It's interesting because (some of the Illini athletes) play on the international level, but I think we're doing some things differently here, like the…