Illinois Prepares for NCAA Final Four Showdown Against UConn in Indianapolis, Stirring Enthusiasm Among Fans

CHICAGO (WLS) — Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch among University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball fans as the team gears up for its much-anticipated Final Four showdown this Saturday.

This excitement is particularly palpable for one family from the western suburbs, whose ties to the university run deep. They wouldn’t dream of being anywhere other than Indianapolis to witness the game in person.

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The Fighting Illini are making their presence felt at Lucas Oil Stadium. They hit the practice court on Thursday morning, gearing up for their crucial Saturday matchup.

Kevin O’Brien, an enthusiastic Illini alumnus, is balancing his work commitments this week with the excitement of joining his family for the game on Saturday.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around often,” O’Brien shared. “Our boys were right; when the chance presents itself, you seize it.”

O’Brien is a 1987 Illinois graduate. Five of his seven siblings are also Illini graduates, including his twin sister Kathy. So, when O’Brien’s own kids were born, he and his wife have triplets, two boys and a girl, he raised them in the orange and blue tradition. It was just like his parents did to him, but based on academics and that value of a state school.

“It was drummed into us growing up is you wanna get the best bang for your buck, and that’s where a lot of it came from,” O’Brein said.

All three have graduated and are now all working full time, but they have all been enjoying the basketball team’s success this season. When O’Brien was growing up, the Illini were rarely good in major sports, but he’s always been a fan regardless and that made it easier to bring the kids.

They’ve had many family experiences together going to the campus and to games.

“Growing up it was easier to go to a game because they weren’t all sold out and you could get tickets inexpensively,” O’Brien said. “We took full advantage of that.”

This season is a different story. Final Four tickets cost a small fortune. They won’t be in the front row, but they’ll be there, and that’s all that matters.

“To experience this as fans together is, I’m really looking forward to it,” O’Brien said.

Because Indianapolis is relatively close, it’s easier for a lot of Illini fans to get to the game without having to get flights or hotel rooms. The O’Brien family plans to leave Saturday morning, and If the Illini win, they say they will have to try to figure out coming back for the championship game on Monday.

READ MORE | March Madness: Illinois to face UConn in first Final Four in 21 years after teams beat Iowa, Duke