Across the country, college basketball teams will gather today at coaches’ homes, offices and student unions. They’ll wait to see their name on the TV screen, courtesy CBS. Then, they will react. Screams and shouts. No booing or gasping allowed. Illinois has had its name called for 30 NCAA tournaments, the last in 2013. Staff writer Bob Asmussen caught up with Illini from different eras to ask about their Selection Sunday experiences:
Ted Beach, 1951
First, there was no Selection Sunday. Or any real mystery, other than the opponent.
As Big Ten champions, Illinois was automatically in the field.