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CHICAGO (WLS) — It has been over two decades since the University of Illinois last graced the Final Four, a journey that concluded with a heartbreaking loss in the NCAA National Championship game. The sting of that defeat still resonates deeply with the Fighting Illini community.
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As anticipation builds for the 2026 March Madness tournament, alumni from the famed 2005 Final Four squad are rallying behind the current Illinois team, hoping for a long-awaited championship victory.
“The pain is a constant companion,” reflected Dee Brown. “Winning it all was our ultimate goal, and falling short still aches.”
Echoing this sentiment, Roger Powell Jr. shared, “I’ve experienced the disappointment twice, both as a player and as an assistant coach. Missing out on the title is incredibly tough.”
Both Powell and Brown, instrumental in the 2005 journey, are now looking back at their memorable run while placing their hopes in the new Illini team, confident in their potential to succeed where they once fell short.
“You can’t hide togetherness, you can’t hide,” Brown said. “They embrace that they have a freshman leading them, they’re embracing their roles, and they’re playing their best basketball at the right time.”
Brown and Powell are both head coaches now and cherish the bond basketball brought them, so they offered this advice as the Illini shoot for their one shining moment.
“They need to document it, they need to embrace it, bring your family around it,” Brown said. “It’s a really good moment and its really hard to do. I just hope that they understand that.”
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“It goes so fast. Take it in, the national anthem, the practice with the fans,” Powell said. “Don’t allow this moment to pass by. Get the moment, don’t let it pass you by, but then it’s business and its payback on Saturday.”
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