Party on campus: 'We want UConn!'
Mar. 29—Get your hands on a News-Gazette front page poster here
Illinois' next opponent has been the subject of a few chants so far, some friendlier than others. The consensus is that #Illini fans want UConn. pic.twitter.com/OxuGIcH52I
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 29, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — As the buzzer sounded to Thursday's Illini win against Iowa State, hundreds of students raced to the Alma Mater statue to celebrate.
Chanting "I-L-L I-N-I" and "We want UConn," the fans cut loose as the clock creeped toward midnight.
The Illini won 72-69 to set up a Saturday game against defending champion UConn with a trip the Final Four on the line.
It's been 19 years since Illinois made it that far — when most of Thursday's revelers were crawling.
