The 1980–81 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois.

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

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and Mark Smith. Guards

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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. This season marked a change in location and name for the annual game with Missouri. The name was altered from the ''"Show-Me Classic"'' to the ''" Braggin' Rights"'' and took on a permanent location, St. Louis, with the

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as its original home. Prior to 1980, the location of the game alternated from Assembly Hall and the Hearnes Center. Since 1994, the game is played at the Scottrade Center.

Roster

Schedule

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Player stats

Awards and honors

** Fighting Illini All-Century team (2005) **Team Most Valuable Player * Derek Harper ** Fighting Illini All-Century team (2005)

Team players drafted into the NBA

1981 NBA Draft

Rankings

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1980-81 Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Team Illinois Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball seasons Illinois Illinois