CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – One of the most popular men's basketball teams in University of Illinois history is set to return to campus this weekend as part of a 20-year reunion.
Fighting Illini fans who saw the 2004 and 2005 teams win back-to-back outright Big Ten championships will never forget the thrills and excitement that saw the Bruce Weber-led squads advance to the 2004 NCAA Sweet 16 and 2005 National Championship game after being ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of the season.
The teams featured long-time NBA star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Deron Williams, 2005 Big Ten Player of the Year Dee Brown, second-team All-American Luther Head, Illini career rebounding leader James Augustine, current Valparaiso head coach Roger Powell, and a long cast of outstanding players and coaches.
Prior to the Illini Football season opener against Western Illinois on Friday, those back for the reunion will enter Grange Grove following the football team's Illini Walk arrival, spend time in the Legacy Lounge Tailgate area, sound the air raid siren at Memorial Stadium to kick off the game, and be recognized on Zuppke Field during the first timeout of the first quarter.
On Saturday, the returnees will tour the Ubben Basketball Complex and State Farm Center before a 20th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon honoring both championship teams.
Former Illini players who have indicated plans to return include the starting five of Augustine, Brown, Head, Powell, and Williams, along with Calvin Brock, Jerrance Howard, Jack Ingram, Rich McBride, Shaun Pruitt, and Brian Randle. Coach Weber will also be joined by former assistants Chris Lowery, Gary Nottingham, Jay Price and Tracy Webster.
