Conference Big Ten Conference Head coach Harry Combes Assistant coach Wally Roettger | 1947–48 record 15–5 (7–5 Big Ten) Assistant coach Howie Braun MVP Jack Burmaster | |
The 1947–48 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois.
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Regular season
After 11 seasons that included three Big Ten Conference championships and a trip to the NCAA tournament, Doug Mills would remove himself as head coach of the Fighting Illini, however; he would remain as the University of Illinois athletic director until 1966. Replacing Mills would be a former Illini player, Harry Combes. Ironically, Combes was a senior during Mills' first season with the Fighting Illini, a team that would win the conference championship. During Combes' 20 years as head coach, the Illini would win 316 games while losing only 150, a .678 winning percentage. During conference play, his teams would win 174 times while only losing 104 games. Combes still owns several Illini coaching records including winning 4 conference championships. Combes most significant feat over his 20 years would be his back-to-back NCAA tournament third-place finishes in 1951 and 1952. Combes came to Illinois after spending five seasons at Champaign High School where he served as boys basketball and baseball coach. While at Champaign High School, from 1939 to 1947, he compiled an impressive of 254-46 record in basketball and an equally substantial baseball record of 70-26-2 (.724) over a five-year period (1937–1942).
With the 'Whiz Kids' gone, a fresh start with a couple of All-American athletes would be the focus for the new head coach. Bill Erickson, Dwight Eddleman, Jack Burmaster, Wally Osterkorn, Fred Green, Burdette Thurlby and Jim Marks would return from a team that finished with an overall record of 14-6, placing second in the Big Ten.
Roster
Record
Bold Italic connotes conference game