Conference Big Ten Conference AP No. 19 Head coach Lou Henson | Coaches No. 18 1980–81 record 21–8 (12–6 Big Ten) Assistant coach Tony Yates | |
The 1980–81 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois.
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Regular season
In 1981, Illinois made strides in its return to the national spotlight with a 21-8 record, a third-place Big Ten finish and an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. The team received a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and beat Wyoming, 67-65, in Los Angeles to advance to the regionals in Salt Lake City, where Illinois lost to Kansas State, 57-52. During this season, the Fighting Illini led the Big Ten in scoring for the second consecutive season and were again led by Eddie Johnson and Mark Smith. Guards Craig Tucker and Derek Harper arrived to add backcourt punch, and Harper began his Illini career being named First-Team Freshman All-America by ESPN and ABC.
Team
Schedule
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