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Illinois Basketball Receives Surprising 2024-25 Season Grade From ESPN

ESPN's Myron Medcalf took a trip down memory lane to grade each Big Ten team's season – including Illinois'

Jackson Langendorf

Dec 6, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) defends Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) defends Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images
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The standard has been set. Over just the past five seasons, Illinois has won a Big Ten regular season title, two conference tournament championships, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and made an Elite Eight run.

In half a decade, Ayo Dosunmu was an All-American, Kofi Cockburn was a two-time All-American and Terrence Shannon Jr. put together one of the best single seasons in program history.

Last season, the Illini were a middling Big Ten team (finished seventh in the conference) and landed a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament (meh) before falling flat in the second round of the Big Dance.

After all that recent success, last season felt like a letdown to many. But, as always, perspective is key – and ESPN’s Myron Medcalf offered it to Illini fans:

“Brad Underwood had to replace the top eight scorers from an Illinois team that made an Elite Eight Run in 2024 … but Underwood soared with a masterful rebuild in 2024-2025.”

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn – who averaged just 4.3 points per game during his two-year stint in Champaign – was the team's only active returner (Ty Rodgers redshirted) from the 2023-2024 squad, yet the Illini still put together a 20-win campaign. 

Medcalf also noted the quality of Illinois’ wins:

“The Illini earned 11 wins over top-50 KenPom opponents under challenging circumstances.”

With final grades being released around college campuses across the country – including at Illinois (officially released on May 24 for interested parties) – Medcalf handed out a grade of his own, and Illinois can lay claim to a 4.0 GPA after earning top honors with an A.

Other Big Ten teams that earned an A grade from ESPN for the 2024-25 season:

Maryland

Michigan

Michigan State

Wisconsin

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Basketball Holds Unique Edge in Recruitment of Top 2026 Prospect

Who Is New Illinois Basketball Assistant Coach Camryn Crocker?

Top Three NBA Landing Spots for Illinois Forward Will Riley

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Jackson Langendorf
JACKSON LANGENDORF

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

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