History

Illinois Bicentennial: College Basketball

WSIU Public Broadcasting | By Brad Palmer,

Published March 16, 2018 at 8:05 AM CDT

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Loyola coach George Ireland, right, talks to Jerry Harkness (15) and other members of the Loyola of Chicago basketball team during the 1963 NCAA championship game against Cincinnati in Louisville, Ky.

AP file photo

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Members of the SIU 1967 NIT championship team back in Carbondale to celebrate the 50th anniversary in Feb. 2017.

SIU Salukis

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Gene Morse (33) of Bradley falls behind basket after sinking shot against Memphis State in NIT Championship final at Madison Square Garden in New York, March 23, 1957. In on the play were Morse's teammates Shelley McMillon (41) and Bobby Joe Mason (21).

AP file photo

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Illinois' 2005 season ended with a loss to N. Carolina in the NCAA championship game in St. Louis.

The NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament is underway. This is the favorite time of year for college hoops fans.

To commemorate Illinois' bicentennial year, WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson gives us a history lesson into the state's most notable teams of all time.