Illinois Basketball Punches Tickets to NCAA Tournament

0:00On March 16, both Illinois men's and women's basketball teams punched their tickets to the NCAA tournament this year. The women earned a number-seven seed in the Fort Worth first regional and face number-10, Colorado, on Saturday, in Nashville, Tennessee. Meanwhile, the men grab the number-three seed in the South region and take on number-14, pen on Thursday at 8.25pmN, Greenville, South Carolina. The women's matchup happens in a pod hosted by number-2, Seed, Vanderbilt. For the men, Illinois finished 24 and 8, placing top four in the Big Ten and top ten nationally. Their recent skid cost them a homeside bid, but they still look strong heading into this clash with Penn, who just won the Ivy League title behind. Stand out TJ Power. Fans are buzzing over the coaches making this a new normal for Illinois hoops. Brad Underwood has the men in for a sixth straight year, while Shana Green delivered the women's third trip in four seasons, snapping a 20-year.

1:02Drought. It's a far cry from the old days when Selection Sunday meant little around here. Penn brings intrigue with Fran McCaffrey at the helm, a familiar face from his Iowa days. A win there since Illinois against the North Carolina or VCU winner in the second round. On the women's side, beating Colorado could mean facing a top regional team next. With both squads geared up and sights set, Illinois basketball has plenty to build on this march, keeping the momentum rolling strong.