Sports fans always compile lists.
For years, industry colleagues and some balding blabbermouth have exchanged our top-five teams we most desire to win a championship. In other words, emotional investments -- brands we would consider sacrificing limbs, first borns or considerable dinero to witness hoisting the hardware.
By the way, this follically challenged writer’s previous hair donation clearly wasn’t enough to appease the sports gods.
In 2016, the Chicago Cubs gloriously fulfilled my No. 2. Tears streamed. Elation peaked. Joyful hugs squeezed.
However, my No. 1 -- Illinois men’s basketball -- remains unsatisfied.
But, yes, Lloyd Christmas, there is indeed a chance -- a sizable one.
Brad Underwood’s Illini pulled away late against a feisty Iowa team to race to Indy. Only two steps away from achieving their first ever national title in the NCAA Tournament expansion era (since 1985), Illinois is hurtling toward the yearned for end-of-tunnel light.
For the sake of this scribe’s sanity, the demons of 2005 -- an unforgettable season sadly punctuated by a bitter finish in the national title game against North Carolina -- will hopefully be forever buried.
Back in the Final Four for the first time in 21 years and only the second time in 36 seasons, Balkan Brad’s Illini are a unique mixture of terrifically skilled Euros (David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic), ascending homegrown talents (Andrej Stojakovic and Keaton Wagler) and unsung transfers (Kylan Boswell, Jake Davis and Ben Humrichhous). And their play has spiked Illini Nation's title hopes.
Over my 20-year media career, this college hoops junkie has always wanted to cover the Final Four.
— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) March 29, 2026
Thrilled I finally will for @westwood1sports ... with Illinois there.
See you in Indy, Illini Nation.
Block I logos, orange-and-blue gear, ear-to-ear smiles and an overwhelming sense of optimism are unavoidable around Champaign-Urbana. As someone who lives only 15 minutes from the State Farm Center, the community’s euphoric state has the citizenry united, abuzz and cautiously optimistic. For a program No. 13 all-time in college basketball wins, thoughts of the ultimate dream finally being realized is palpable.
If nets in Indy are indeed cut down, no local liquor ordinance will curtail what’s sure to be a days-long rager.
After stumbling into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed, Illinois conquered the South region by evolving defensively. Its much documented KenPom-historic offense continued to play mostly at a spectacular level, but on the opposite end, the Illini sharply raised their intensity. Dogged for its lack of toughness by many national commentators pre-tourney, they bared sharpened teeth and clamped down against Penn, VCU, Houston and Iowa. In the Dance, the I-L-L has surrendered only 0.935 points per possession, allowing 47.5% from two and 29.0% from three. Sensational.
Illinois’ national semifinal matchup versus familiar foe UConn is sure to be a bloody battle. The Huskies throttled the Illini inside Madison Square Garden in late November. In that showdown, Alex Karaban and cohorts handed Underwood's bunch a 13-point loss, giving up only 0.92 points per possession. However, the Illini rank 10 spots higher than Dan Hurley's squad in overall efficiency this NCAA Tournament according to BartTorvik -- a measurable disparity. REVENGE GAME!
With the Circle City just under two hours east of Champaign, a steady stream of enthusiastic Illinois fans are bound to make the pilgrimage along I-74 -- this booming voice included. The likely partisan crowd inside Lucas Oil Stadium will be anxious to uncork.
Please check No. 1 off the list, Illinois.