Imagine going to a school where students would wait in long lines wrapped around the arena hours before tip-off. Where your basketball team was consistently ranked. Where you would deck yourself out in all things orange and blue to cheer your team on. This was the reality for Illini fans this past season— a season where we bounced back and showed the NCAA what Illinois basketball was made of.

Amanda Brennan

This last season was much more energetic and involved a whole lot more planning before going to a game. During my freshman year, students could arrive 10 minutes before game time and get into the student section, which we affectionately call "Orange Krush," no problem! This year, however, it was a whooooole different story. Krush tickets always sold out!! If you weren't waiting in line at least an hour before the doors opened, the chances of you getting a spot in our courtside student section were slim. They oversell student season tickets, and if you get there after they fill the section, you are given leftover "nose bleed" seats. No student wants that!

In fact, when we played Maryland, one of the biggest games of the season in the sold-out State Farm Center, my friends and I were determined to sit courtside with Orange Krush. We took advantage of guaranteed student seats by going to the tennis game at 3 p.m., four hours before game time! The first 200 students at the tennis game were able to secure Orange Krush seats. We were numbers 183, 184 and 185. Barely got in! Plus, each student got a free "throwback jersey" for throwback night. Yes, please!

Amanda Brennan

At another sold-out game a few weeks later versus Indiana, the marketing department pushed "striping!" For the first time in a long time, SFC was striped, each section alternated wearing orange and blue. Evens in orange and odds in blue! Students in Orange Krush were given free shirts on our chairs! (Yes, we get a lot of free merch throughout the season)

The energy that constantly filled the State Farm Center this last season was contagious. Everyone was becoming invested in Illinois basketball! After our last home game, where we beat Iowa 78-76, Illini hoops secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2010. And, they were NCAA tourney bound for the first time since the 2012-2013 season. Champaign erupted, and orange and blue took over.

Illinois vs. IowaAmanda Brennan

The Big Ten teams were in Indy, in practice, eager to "dance." Then, it all stopped. The cheers and chants changed to sadness and sorrow. When the Big Ten Tournament was canceled, and the entirety of March Madness shortly after, every sports fan's heart sank and fell into a puddle of mush. The most anticipated month of college athletics was cut from the calendar just like that. College basketball was done. The Illini didn't have the chance to continue proving to the nation that we had transformed.

Like many other things, no one saw this coming. No one could prepare for it. No one could have predicted college basketball (and the school year in general) to end like this. But, it makes me hopeful for next season. Eager to be back in Orange Krush. Eager to freeze my butt off outside for a seat. Now, we just wait.

You've Been KRUSHED!Amanda Brennan