Watch the NCAA Tournament and you’ll find some interesting team nicknames, some of which spark curiosity about their origins.
For example, teams like the Illinois Fighting Illini.
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Brad Underwood’s Fighting Illini (26-8, 14-6 in Big Ten play) are seeded as the No. 3 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. They will face No. 14 seed Morehead State in the first round of March Madness.
Although Illinois has appeared in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments under Coach Underwood, the Illini have yet to advance beyond the first weekend. Illinois lost to Arkansas 73–63 in the first round last year. But more on this issue:
Follow the madness: NCAA Tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.