Reports: College Basketball Expert Gives Illini Fan Base Strong National Ranking

The Illinois Fighting Illini are poised to go head-to-head with top college basketball programs like Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina this season.

Their fan base is beginning to gain national attention as well.

According to Andy Katz from NCAA.com, the Illini have the sixth-best fan base in the country.

Katz noted, “The Fighting Illini’s fan base is one of the most passionate in college basketball, both online and in person. When the team is performing well, fans can transform a game at State Farm Center into an unforgettable celebration.”

Katz’s Top 10 list includes Kentucky, UConn, Kansas, Duke, and Purdue, followed by Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas, and Iowa.

This fall brings plenty for fans to be excited about, as it is one of the most highly anticipated seasons in the school’s history. After reaching the Elite Eight last year, Coach Brad Underwood revamped the roster with impressive transfers and new talent.

Among the newcomers are freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley, and Morez Johnson. Jakucionis and Riley are seen as potential one-and-done players, while Johnson was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois during his senior year of high school.

The Illini’s schedule also includes matchups against Duke, Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee, along with their Big Ten games. This year marks the first time UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington will be part of the conference.