Fighting Illini fans hopeful for magical NCAA Tournament run after 105-70 win over Penn in first round

Fighting Illini fans are celebrating after their team's dominant win over Penn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

There were a lot of first-round nerves for fans, but Illinois took care of business, cruising to a 105-70 win to advance to the next round.

Some fans spent all day watching March Madness at Joe's on Weed Street, including a table of ladies who've taken tradition to the next level.

At the start of a tournament that's bound to bust plenty of brackets, there's one safe bet. Teri Kieffer, Amber Daugherty and Jaimie Levey will be the first ones in and last ones out at Joe's. It's a given on gameday.

"There's no better day of the year than just being able to sit here and just watch college basketball all day," Kieffer said.

The three ladies are at Joe's for the Fighting Illini every year since 2001, when the friends were fresh out of college.

"We've been coming here for 25 years to do this," Kieffer said. "We would come here to watch the games because this is the big Illini game watch."

It's more than a tradition. It's a league: the Illini Basketball Drinking Association.

The IBDA, as they call it, has five core members. They meet at Joe's for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"Even after moving away, we still come back for these two days. It's like Christmas," Kieffer said.

Kieffer and Levey are bridesmaids for Daugherty's wedding.

"The third one's on her way. But it's amazing," Daugherty said.

"Sports, especially March Madness, like the euphoria of winning this type of stuff, there's nothing like it. So you just want to share it with your friends," Levey said.

In 25 years, they've also made it to 20 Final Fours.

"One time, Illinois was with us – St. Louis 2005 – and it was amazing," Kieffer said.

Forever Illini fans and best friends, the IBDA are in a league of their own.

"We love each other and we're the core of it, but we love to spread it and share it with everyone, because it's just so much fun," Kieffer said.

The ladies are serious basketball fans, and they watch every game of the tournament.

They even printed out and laminated the TV schedule.

Illini fans said the start of the tournament is a fresh start for the team, who struggled near the end of the regular season and in the Big Ten tournament, but they have high hopes for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

"I love March Madness. It's the best time of the year, just get to hang out and watch some basketball," said Illini fan Jason Diamond.

Dani Moore said the success of this Illinois team throughout the season brings her fellow alumni and friends closer.

"These are my friends from college and we're still friends. That's my husband, who we also went to college together. So, we have a big network of Illinois friends, and we love cheering on the team together," Moore said.

Now, with a first-round win, Illini fans are even more hopeful of a magical run.

"We can beat anybody in the country. I think we can go to the Final Four, the championship," Dustin Leavitt said.

No. 3-seeded Illinois will now face No. 11-seeded VCU in the second round on Saturday at 6:50 p.m.