Illinois State vs Tennessee (1998) NCAA Tournament

Was this really the last time Illinois State has made the tournament ? Some people are saying this was the first basketball game James Naismith ever attended .

@woodrow25879247

Kyle Cartmill - former @QHSBASKETBALL

I started ISU in 1999 and there was a lot of hype. Didn’t totally pan out 🥴.

All this for the right to get demolished by defending champion Arizona the 2nd round.

Last time the birds made the tournament, hard to believe it’s been that long

Rollbirds

ILL

Those were the days for ISU. We have since fallen to the bottom of Division 1 basketball with no prospect of rising again.