Last time Illinois made the Final Four: Revisiting 2005 March Madness run led by Deron Williams

Illinois isn't a blueblood basketball program, but the Fighting Illini are very consistent at making the postseason, whether it be the NIT or the NCAA Tournament

Illinois qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. Head coach Brad Underwood has led the Fighting Illini to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. That year, Illinois only had one loss during the regular season and won the Big Ten conference championship. The Fighting Illini made it all the way to the national championship in 2005, but came up just short against North Carolina. 

Here is more on the last time that Illinois was in the Final Four. 

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Last time Illinois made Final Four

The last time that Illinois made the Final Four was in 2005. The Fighting Illini were an undefeated 29-0 heading into their final regular-season game against Ohio State. Illinois lost to the Buckeyes 65-64, but used the loss as motivation as the Fighting Illini ran through the Big Ten Conference Tournament and earned an automatic bid to the 2005 NCAA Tournament. 

As a No. 1 seed, Illinois moved past No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson, No. 9 Nevada and No. 12 UM-Milwaukee in its first three games. In the Elite Eight, No. 1 Illinois survived against No. 3 Arizona 90-89 in overtime. The Fighting Illini then played No. 4 Louisville in the Final Four and won by 15 points. Illinois advanced to the national championship against No. 1 North Carolina and suffered its second loss of the season, 75-70, as the Tar Heels cut down the nets. 

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2005 Illinois basketball roster

Here is a look at every player who played for Illinois in the 2024-2005 season. 

Who coached Illinois in 2005?

Bruce Weber was Illinois' head coach in 2005. It was his second season with the program and he led them to a 37-2 overall record, including the NCAA Tournament. Weber took them to the Sweet Sixteen in his first year, and then the national championship game in his second. They were the first two of four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the Fighting Illini, with the 2005 result being the best for the program since they reached the Final Four in 1989. 

Weber was at Illinois from 2003 to 2012. After going 17-15 in the 2011-2012 season, he was fired. Weber finished his tenure with the Fighting Illini with a 210-101 record. He went on to coach at Kansas State from 2012 to 2022, with a total 184-147 record with the Wildcats. 

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Illinois 2005 March Madness run

First Round: No. 1 Illinois 67, No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson 55

The Fighting Illini had a little bit of a scare in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Illinois went into halftime up only one point. The Fighting Illini's defense stepped up, allowing only 24 second-half points. Illinois was led by Dee Brown, who had 19 points. James Augustine had a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. 

Second Round: No. 1 Illinois 71, No. 9 Nevada 59

Illinois looked better in the second round. The Fighting Illini went into halftime up 34-27 and maintained their lead throughout the second half to advance with the 71-59 win. Augustine again dominated with another double-double, this time with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Deron Williams added a double-double of his own with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  

Sweet Sixteen: No. 1 Illinois 77, No. 12 UW-Milwaukee 63

UW-Milwaukee had an upset on its mind in the Sweet 16. As a 12-seed, they had already overcome No. 5 Alabama and No. 4 Boston College in their first two games. Illinois was up seven by halftime and held on to win by 14 points when it was all said and done. 

All five of the Fighting Illini starters finished in double-digit points, and they each played at least 33 minutes of the game. Augustine continued his double-double streak with 11 points and 10 boards. Williams and Brown led the scoring for Illinois with 21 points apiece. 

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Elite Eight: No. 1 Illinois 90, Arizona 89 (OT)

Arizona gave Illinois its toughest test of the 2005 NCAA Tournament at that point. The Fighting Illini went into halftime up only two points. The Wildcats kept the second half close and even with the game going into overtime, stifled Augustine and forced him to finish with just four points and six rebounds. 

Williams had his second double-double of the tournament with 22 points and 10 assists. Luther Head had 20 points, including hitting five of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc. 

Final Four: No. 1 Illinois 72, No. 4 Louisville 57

Illinois played yet another close first half, heading into halftime up only three on Louisville. The Fighting Illini made the right halftime adjustments and ended up winning by 15 points. Roger Powell and Head each tied for the team lead with 20 points each. It was a down game for Williams, who finished with only five points on 2-7 shooting, but did add five points and nine assists. 

Augustine's struggles continued with six points, but he added 11 rebounds. As a team, Illinois shot 48% from the field, compared to only 39% for Louisville. 

National Championship: No. 1 North Carolina 75, No. 1 Illinois 70 

The Fighting Illini then made it to their first NCAA Tournament championship game in program history. Illinois was matched up with another 1-seed in North Carolina. The Fighting Illini had another slow start, and UNC took advantage. The Tar Heels went into halftime up 40-27. Illinoi did its best to battle back into the game, but North Carolina held on for the 75-70 win. 

Augustine only played nine minutes because he got into bad foul trouble early. He fouled out for the game and was scoreless, and had only two rebounds. Head led the way for Illinois with 21 points, and Powell had nine points with 14 boards. Williams played the entire game but went 7-16 from the field. North Carolina shot 52% from the field while Illinois only shot 39% in its loss. 

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