CHAMPAIGN — Brad Underwood expressed genuine surprise during Friday’s press conference when he learned that it’s been more than 11 years since the No. 1 team in the AP poll came to State Farm Center.
The Illini head man has been a part of countless big games and home sell-outs during his eight seasons at the helm, especially since the program’s breakthrough season in 2019-20. His teams have regularly locked horns with high-level opponents, which is something Underwood prides himself on and it was the driving force in getting this home-and-home series with Tennessee on the schedule.
This will be the 20th time that Illinois has faced a top-10 team during the regular season since the start of 2019-20, and Underwood boasts a very respectable 9-10 record in those games. To his credit, he’s sought out some of these contests in the non-conference — taking on big matchups in the Jimmy V Classic, going to Vegas with a loaded field, putting an Alabama series on the schedule right after it made its first-ever Final Four.
This one is different because it’s No. 1 and because it’ll be in Illinois’ home building. Tom Crean‘s top-ranked Indiana squad in 2013 was the last one to tip it up at State Farm Center. The Illini defeated the Hoosiers 74-72 on Tyler Griffey‘s buzzer-beating layup — a play and the ensuing court storm that still gets plenty of run on the video board hanging above Lou Henson Court.
Underwood reflected on what it means to have No. 1 Tennessee (9-0) come to town and be the first top-ranked opponent to do so since 2013.
“It’s unbelievable for college basketball. We’re one of the elite programs in college basketball and you don’t just sell out games and have the Orange Krush students buy tickets in 26 minutes. Every now and then, you get thrown that nugget. I didn’t know it was 11 years,” Underwood told Illini Inquirer. “… It’s the absolute best because the fan experience is what makes college basketball special. To be able to do that here in Champaign, I’m happy for our fans. I’m happy for our students.
“I say that my true job is to create a memory. I hope there’s some young kid tomorrow that maybe this is his first game and he can talk about his moment at State Farm Center and create a lifetime memory that makes him maybe want to go to the University of Illinois, makes him want to wear an orange jersey or go buy a Will Riley jersey or a Morez (Johnson) jersey. Is there anything greater than that? I still remember my first college basketball game that I went to that my dad took me to. To me, those are moments you cherish.
“You got fraternity brothers getting together, sorority sisters getting together, families getting together and they come and have a heck of a time and create a memory that I hope is a good one. It’s what makes this special. The fact that it’s No. 1, maybe that adds a little more to it. Damn, it’s good stuff, man.”
These opportunities truly are pretty rare. The State Farm Center began hosting Illini basketball games in 1963, and this will only be the eighth time that an opponent has been No. 1 in the country. Illinois is 3-22 all-time against No. 1, which includes the NCAA Tournament. All three of those wins have come at home, and to use Underwood’s words, all three of those created a lifelong memory for the program, the fan base and the players in those games.
Let’s take a look at the history of No. 1 coming to State Farm Center.
Feb. 7, 2013 vs. No. 1 Indiana: Griffey’s lay-in took down Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller & Co. in a 74-72 win at the buzzer in John Groce‘s first season.
Jan. 22, 2011 vs. No. 1 Ohio State: The Illini had an 8-point lead with 12 minutes to go, but star freshman Jared Sullinger (27 pts & 16 rebs) was ultimately too much in a 73-68 loss to the Buckeyes.
Dec. 1, 2004 vs. No. 1 Wake Forest: This was Illinois’ arrival moment as the best team in the country during the historic 2004-05 season. No. 5 Illinois dominated Chris Paul and the top-ranked Demon Deacons 91-73.
Jan, 11, 1979 vs. No. 1 Michigan State: Illinois Athletics Hall of Famer Eddie Johnson buried a game-winning jumper with just three seconds left to knock off a sophomore Magic Johnson and the No. 1 Spartans. MSU went on to beat Larry Bird and Indiana State in the national title game.
Jan. 17, 1976 vs. No. 1 Indiana: Bob Knight‘s 32-0 national championship team steamrolled Illinois 83-55. Scott May, Quinn Buckner & Co. are the last team to run the table as an undefeated national champ.
Feb. 24, 1975 vs. No. 1 Indiana: The Hoosiers went 29-0 in the regular season with much of the same team that won the title the following year. Illinois fell 112-89 in this matchup, while Indiana went on to the Elite Eight, where it suffered its only loss of that year.
Feb. 27, 1965 vs. No. 1 Michigan: The Illini took down No. 2 twice in Champaign during the 1964-65 season (UCLA & Indiana), but they fell just short against No. 1 Michigan 80-79. First-team All-American Cazzie Russell led the Wolverines to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament that season.
