Today’s column from CBS Chicago …
(CBS) Right now among Illini Nation, losses are on the mind.
From those of the football blowout variety against Nebraska to the basketball program’s near-misses involving star point guard recruits Jalen Brunson and Jawun Evans, the University of Illinois seems to be scarfing down setbacks these days.
But the reason why all of that aches so much in the bellies of Illini supporters is because there are few, if any, college fan bases in America that are hungrier for success.
Skeptical? Well, then consider this. Last week, SI.com unveiled a bracket-style poll in which it seeded 16 college basketball teams from throughout history and asked fans to vote on which is “The Greatest Team to Never Win a Title.”
The 2005 Fighting Illini, who fell 75-70 to North Carolina in the national championship game, were only a No. 8 seed in SI.com’s bracket, but thanks to the rabid online nature of Illini fans, that hardly mattered. In the Sweet 16, Illinois hypothetically dumped a 1997 Kanas team that went 34-2, then was easily voted past No. 1 overall seed 1991 UNLV in the Elite Eight and the Fab Five-fueled 1993 Michigan squad in the semifinals.
Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …