Illini fans pumped after big win over Xavier in first round of NCAA Tournament
In the South Loop, Illini fans took over Weather Mark Tavern, where the drinks were flowing and a sea of orange and blue overshadowed everything.
Watch CBS News
In the South Loop, Illini fans took over Weather Mark Tavern, where the drinks were flowing and a sea of orange and blue overshadowed everything.
Illinois led throughout the last 33 ½ minutes and went 18 of 18 from the free throw line and 12 of 30 from 3-point range. The Illini also outrebounded Xavier 45-25.
George Foreman, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time heavyweight champion, competed between 1967 and 1997.
With Chicago just 90 miles away. the Illini are expecting a lot of their fans to make the short road trip to cheer them on in the Big Dance.
JuJu Watkins has scored more points than Caitlin Clark did through two seasons, and she will be in strong position to threaten Kelsey Mitchell's record two-year points total if USC wins at least two NCAA tournament games.
Coby White scored 35 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 128-116.
Joel Edmundson fired from deep in the Kings' zone and scored into an empty net with 19 seconds left to seal the win.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday hosted student athletes from Hope Academy, as well as the Class 2A state champs Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts.
The Badgers pulled away for their first March Madness win in three years.
Xavier is also an older team — with some players well into their 20s — and an experienced team.
