the life of a '12 illini

I've previously opined on how great it would have been to attend Florida from 2005-2009. 

But I couldn't help myself. What is it like for this year's seniors graduating from Illinois?

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Freshman Year

Fresh off an appearance in the Rose Bowl, the football year started with a close loss to Missouri, included a historic 45-20 win over Michigan at the Big House and had them poised to go to another bowl with a 5-4 record. They lost their last three games including one to Northwestern and Western Michigan. They finished 5-7. No Bowl Game.

With a basketball team featuring McCamey, Tisdale and Davis, the Illini finished with a respectable 24-10 record, good for third in the conference. They lost in the semis in the Big Ten Tournament and earned a 5-seed in the big dance. They lost to #12 Western Kentucky.

Sophomore Year

If you liked 5-7, you're going to love 3-9. Juice Williams' senior season didn't go as planned. He was benched for Eddie fucking McGee. The Illini did beat Michigan at home. But their season ended in a 53-52 loss to Fresno State when a lineman caught a deflected pass on a two point conversion as time expired. Just watch. No Bowl Game.

The basketball team continued to be mediocre. The addition of Paul and Richardson didn't matter much. They finished 21-15, lost in the Big Ten semis and missed the NCAAs. They lost in the third round of the NIT.

Junior Year

Out with the Juice, in with the Scheelhaase. Football season seemed better with a nice win over Northwestern at Wrigley, but really they compiled a 6-6 record by beating crappy teams. They did get invited to the Texas Bowl and beat Baylor. So that's something.

For McCamey's senior year, plus two great recruiting classes on the floor, you'd think the Illini would be poised for success. How does 20-14 sound?! After losing in the Big Ten quarters, the Illini did secure a #9 seed in the dance. And wouldn't you know...they won a tournament game! They beat #8 UNLV by 11. Next up, #1 Kansas. They lost by 14.


Senior Year

For Scheelhaase second season, the football team started 6-0! This was going to be the year! ...for Zook to get fired. They lost their next six games. Possibly because they started playing Big Ten teams and not Arkansas State or South Dakota State. Even after Zook got fired, the Illini managed a bowl berth and beat UCLA. Two bowl wins in a row!

In Bruce Weber's 9th season, the basketball team started 15-3! This was going to be the year! ...for Weber to get fired. 52 days before he was fired, Illinois was a projected 2 seed. Once Illinois dropped 12 of their next 14, they didn't even get invited to the NIT.

Football Summary

These poor seniors. Their football team went 20-28. Their best seasons were 6-6 where they got a pity bowl.

Basketball Summary

These poor fucking seniors. They made it to the NCAAs twice. Won one tournament game. They made it to the NIT once. And even missed the NIT once.

And I got to see a BCS bowl and a Final Four trip. Sorry.