Illinois basketball: 5 best seasons in Fighting Illini history, ranked
By Jack Bennett
Pick Analysis. No. 3 Coaches/No.3 AP. 2nd in Big Ten, Final Four. 1988-1989 31-5 (14-4). 2. player. 481. Scouting Report
The Flyin’ Illini reaches the Final Four in 1988-1989.
The final two spots on this list were the most challenging to pick as each of the two teams has an argument for the top spot. This version of the Fighting Illini will be long remembered by all ages as the Flyin’ Illini.
The sheer athleticism of players such as Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Kendall Gill, and Marcus Liberty made the Illini one of the all-time most fun teams to watch. It is hard to believe that this team still finished second in the Big Ten just behind an Indiana team that was just a game better than the Illini.
The Flyin’ Illini swept the Hoosiers on top of not losing to a single ranked team during the whole regular season. Among these eight teams were the likes of Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri. To say the Illini were tough to beat during this season would be an understatement.
Perhaps the most impressive part of this team was the number of players who contributed to the winning ways. Six players averaged 8 or more points per game and four averaged at least 4 rebounds per game. Outside of this, the Illini were well-known for their display of high-flying antics in-game. The fast-paced and high-powered offense which was no stranger to monster dunks and amazing plays averaged 86.4 ppg over the season.
One of the deepest runs made me an Illini team in the postseason was accomplished by this team but it was cut short in the Final Four in a heartbreaking loss to Big Ten foe Michigan by just two points.