Illini’ success shows at IV
By Adam Colmone
IV Leader Sportswriter
It’s not quite as big as the Chicago Cubs playoff craze of
2003, but it is getting there.
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball
team is growing on the IVCC student body, as we see more and more students
supporting the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.
IVCC freshman Sara Renner said, “Even though we are 130 miles
away, we still show a lot of support for the team around the campus.”
Students are starting to show more Orange and Blue, to go along with the purple
of the IV Eagles. More clothing apparel is being seen around the campus from
shirts to coats and everything in between. Illini fever officially has hit the
Illinois Valley!
“It’s awesome seeing everyone support them, you see more and
more clothing each day, and overhear people talking about them in the halls”,
says sophomore student-athlete Brooke Michaelson
The main reason for this is because the Illini are off to the
best start in school history at 21-0, and own the top ranking in the nation.
They have defeated three unbeaten teams so far and knocked off former No.
1-ranked Wake Forest by 18 points and led by as many as 32 points in that game.
The atmosphere might not be as strong as it is in Champaign
just yet, but it’s getting there.
Former U of I and current IVCC student Ryan “Satch” McPhedran
has experienced both. “It is definitely different here. The excitement level
here is higher then usual, but you can still find quite a few who are not fans
of the team, while in Champaign everyone is super optimistic about what the team
can do.”
Illinois is trying to accomplish something that has happened
only 12 times in the history of college basketball: go throughout the season
undefeated. Of the 12 teams seven went on to win the National Championship, the
latest being the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.
Lifelong Illini fan Luke Radtke says that, “It would be great
to go undefeated on the year; they have the talent to do so. When they’re not
hitting their shots from the outside they pass the ball extremely well to get
the open shot within the three-point arch. They play as a team and that’s what
is going to lead them to St. Louis for the Final Four.”
Even without a blemish on their record, some IVCC students
are still skeptical about Illinois’ success this season. Sophomore sports guru
Jeff Puetz claims, “Illinois’ inside game is average at best; they don’t play in
a strong conference. They emphasize on the three-point shot too much and they
struggle to put away mediocre teams.”
Whatever happens throughout the remaining games of the
regular season the IVCC student body will be supporting the Illini’s march to
the Arch.