Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is set to face Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament Championship. The game will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. CT at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The match will be broadcasted on CBS with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson as commentators.

Illinois enters the championship as the No. 2 seed after a comeback victory over Nebraska in the semifinals. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team with a career-high and tournament record of 40 points against Nebraska. Head coach Brad Underwood aims to secure his second Big Ten Tournament title with Illinois.

The Illini have appeared in eight Big Ten Tournament championship games previously, winning titles in 2003, 2005, and 2021. This year's matchup marks their fourth meeting with Wisconsin in a BTT final; Illinois won in 2005 while Wisconsin claimed victories in 2004 and 2008.

Underwood has guided Illinois to five consecutive seasons with more than twenty wins and consistent top finishes within the conference since he took over as head coach seven years ago. The team's current season performance includes a strong offensive efficiency rating and notable scoring averages.

Terrence Shannon Jr.'s scoring average of 22.6 points per game is one of the highest for an Illini player since Nick Weatherspoon's record from decades ago. Additionally, Marcus Domask contributed significantly during their semifinal win with double-digit points and assists.

Illinois boasts a robust history within the Big Ten Tournament context under Underwood's leadership, having recorded numerous wins and high-seed placements over recent years.