Greatest Seasons: 1989 Basketball - Illinois

A look at 1989 Illinois basketball.

[@matthewcarey3148]

This was the most fun I’ve ever had watching college basketball.

[@jasonh5547]

ROFL. Thank goodness for top three all time historical elite North Carolina. MANY great seasons and not just a program with two great seasons lol.

[@tyresecotton6879]

@@jasonh5547lmao u are weird af, sounding insecure. All he said was that was the most fun he’s had watching basketball??

[@poopoomangione]

@@jasonh5547 you need a job

[@steveproffitt2150]

Been an Illini fan since 1972 and the 89 team was fun to watch but the 05 team was the best team Illinois has had. Remember their record and the Arizona game. But with that said I loved the Flying Illini!!

[@barryalkire9648]

I will never forget where I was when Loyd vaight put that rebound in to beat my favorite all time Illinois b-ball team. I don't care what people say they were the best most talented team in 89". I couldn't be around anyone for the rest of the night. Now remember it was Saturday night game and I was 18. So all my friends were saying let's go party. I went home and licked my wounds. I really thought we would play on Monday night. I give Michigan credit they earned it and Glenn Rice killed us. Hard to beat a team 3 times in 1 season. We were a little to confident and Michigan wanted revenge. AND us playing a b plus game and them playing a plus game it still came down to the last possession. 2005 team was awesome but they were not the flying illini!! I compare only 1 team to the 89" team and thats the 5 slama jama. Houston of 83-84. When you are given a nick name from dicky v you know your good. SO out of my 27 years of watching Illinois b-ball its 89"-83" with Kenny Norman and Doug altenburger who lost to Kentucky in the sweet 16 and the 05"team. But the 89" team had a following and a swager about them. THE best team never to win a championship. Sorry 05" fans 89" team would beat you with simply there athletatism. My favorite game of all time Nick Anderson last second shot in Bloomington. 1a is 05"regional final with a great finish. JUST think if 89" team was healthy all year-bummer. But only 2 teams had nick names for there play above the rim. Flying illini and 5 slama jama! They could be considered as the best team not to win a championship. I will say this Frank Robinson was awesome and no one says much about him. 99" 00" 01" teams were very good. Sergio McClain. Played Michigan State 3 straight years in the big ten championship tourney. Anyway flying illini best athletic starting 5 in the history of college basketball. Maybe Houston or the fab 5 but they didn't play above the rim. I play 89" Illinois against 84" 5 slama jama on PS 3. Its perty even but I kill them with the 3s from Nick Anderson and Kendal Gill I take him to the rack maybe the best player on the 89" team. Anyway I wish I could see a team like that again but the player's only play 1-2 years. The 80s were the best days for college hoops hands down🏀☝󾓦💪😁✌

[@jesskelley4726]

It was actually Sean Higgins who put In the tip in to beat Illinois

[@lukefoster6285]

Dang you wrote a lot

[@anthonybarbieri2894]

I just internet searched for this team. Forgot the year, but knew it was the same year Michigan beat Seton Hall in the final. So that is how I found them. I have zero affiliation with Illinois so no bias. I think it is my favorite college basketball team of all time. I hated that they lost to Michigan. I remember a New York sportscaster blasted the Illini coaching and showed a major scheme gaffe on the play where Michigan won. I guess the guy who had the put back was not blocked out at all. Man, I loved this team.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

that was a great time in college hoops. I liked both teams a lot. I was a good shooter as as sophomore in HS and knew i would be starting the next year, so i was watching Glen Rice whenever i could.

[@patricksevers8012]

Best team to not win championship duke 99 not even close

[@kitovaldez8008]

This is when I became a fan

[@ianbatthauer2182]

I’m a big Illini fan my mom and dad both went to Illinois

[@chad3452]

illinois was the best team to never win it imo...i really believe if lowell hamilton had been healthy they woulda won but he played hurt! also they had to play the 2nd best team for the 3rd time in the final 4! that team was unbeatable at full strength

[@fin8glr]

Add the 2005 squad to that list of great Illinois squads that should've won it. Luther Head and the boys were killers. That comeback against Arizona is a must see classic

[@jasonh5547]

@@fin8glr 2005 North Carolina was better than 2005 Illinois. The advantage North Carolina had in the paint was greater than the advantage that Illinois had ion the perimeter. UNC NCAA record 21 Final Fours!

[@jasonh5547]

ROFL. College basketball history exists outside of Illinois.

[@rickyclampitt8755]

I was a senior n high school n 89, loved watching these guys, they were amazing, best team ever at U OF I

[@jasonh5547]

Thank goodness for Elite North Carolina.