50th Anniversary Events | Assembly Hall's Greatest Games

The University of Illinois is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Assembly Hall on March 2, 2013. In it's first 50 years, nearly 10 million fans have seen over 700 games at the Hall, creating countless memories.  We asked Fighting Illini fans to recall their personal memories, both for basketball and entertainment events, at the historic building. Here's what you had to say... 

This Saturday when the Nebraska Cornhuskers come to town (4:15 pm tip on BTN) we'll be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Assembly Hall. The grand opening of the $8.35 million architectural marvel was on March 2, 1963, exactly 50 years to the day from Saturday's game. During those first 50 years, the Fighting Illini have an impressive record of 553-149 (.787) in the building and have created countless memories for the more than 9.6 million fans that have come to watch them play. Below is a list of some of the Assembly Hall's greatest men's basketball moments. Tell us yours in the comments. 

What a night at Assembly Hall. On Feb. 7, 2013, Tyler Griffey made an uncontested layup as time expired to give the Fighting Illini a thrilling 74-72 win over No. 1 Indiana in front of a sellout crowd at Assembly Hall.

Brandon Paul got the assist on Griffey's game-winner, inbounding the ball from the right corner with 0.9 on the clock. Griffey cut down the lane un-guarded, got the shot off quickly, the ball went though the hoop as the clock hit 0.0 and bedlam ensued at Assembly Hall. Re-live the night with a look at the social media reaction by Illini Nation below.

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Former Illini offensive lineman Jack Cornell has had an incredible year. He graduated from the University of Illinois last fall, helped the Illini to a bowl victory last December, joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent last spring, got engaged over the summer, and now he's become a Super Bowl Champion.

Illini in the NFL Weekly Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

A pair of Fighting Illini NFL rookies are in New Orleans this week for Super Bowl XLVII, which takes place this Sunday, Feb. 3, at 5:30 pm CT on CBS. Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of the San Francisco 49ers and offensive lineman Jack Cornell of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad have been in the "Big Easy" all week going through all the usual Super Bowl week events while also getting ready, and helping their teams get ready, for the big game. It marks the seventh straight year and the 11th time in the last 12 years that at least one Illini has played in the Super Bowl.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Brandon Lloyd had a touchdown catch to help the Patriots advance to the AFC championship game. In all, four former Illini will play for a trip to Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday after helping their teams wins in the Divisional round, plus Baltimore Ravens practice squad player Jack Cornell is still alive as well. The five total Illini still left on playoff rosters or practice squads is tied for 10th-most among all colleges. 

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Three Illini were in action during last weekend's wildcard round, Vontae Davis of the Colts, and Alan Ball and Whitney Mercilus of the Texans, while six will be in action this weekend during the divisional round.  

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Vontae Davis had two clutch interceptions to help the Colts to a Week 17 win over the Texans. In all,  seven former Illini are headed to the playoffs, which begin this weekend with the Wildcard round.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure and Pierre Thomas both scored touchdowns, Corey Liuget tallied a season high two sacks and both Vontae Davis and Kelvin Hayden recorded interceptions.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd had a huge 190-yard game for the Patriots, while Jeff Cumberland (Jets) and Mikel Leshoure (Lions) both found the end zone to highlight Week 15 action.  

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd scored two touchdowns for the Patriots, Whitney Mercilus tied the Texans rookie sack record and Vontae Davis had his best game this season for the Colts to highlight Week 14 action. 

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Whitney Mercilus had a pair of sacks for the Texans, Jeff Cumberland scored the game-winning TD for the Jets and Mikel Leshoure scored his sixth TD in the last five games for the Lions to highlight Week 13 action.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website 

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure has now produced five touchdowns over the previous four games while Whitney Mercilus enjoyed a career high four tackle day in a thrilling Thanksgiving overtime win against Detroit.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Tavon Wilson made his team-leading fourth interception for the Patriots and Mikel Leshoure ran for another touchdown for the Lions to highlight Week 11 action.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Liuget broke out with a season best in tackles while Brandon Lloyd returned from a bye week to resume his solid season with the Patriots.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure had a huge day with a hat trick of touchdowns, Whitney Mercilus had another sack and forced fumble and Pierre Thomas and Martez Wilson helped the Saints get a win on Monday Night Football.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website 

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd found the endzone twice in the Patriots blowout against the Rams and Tavon Wilson added another interception to his season resume to highlight Week 8 action.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Whitney Mercilus disrupted the Baltimore offense, while Pierre Thomas scored his 24^th career rushing touchdown with the Saints to highlight Week 7 action.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. David Diehl returned from injury to anchor the Giants offensive line, while Mikel Leshoure and Brandon Lloyd both had productive days during Week 6.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Rashard Mendenhall returned to action this week and found the end zone, Martez Wilson sealed a victory for the Saints and Jeff Cumberland recorded his first NFL touchdown.

Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Tavon Wilson and Brandon Lloyd highlighted Week 4 with standout plays, while rookie Jeff Allen made his first career NFL start. 

Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Brandon Lloyd and Mikel Leshoure highlighted Week 3 with terrific individual performances. Take a look at how all 22 former Illini did during the week.

Training Camp Central

Interviews: Coach Beckman | Coach Beatty | Coach Salem

The Fighting Illini were in full pads and did some hitting for the first time at Training Camp on Friday morning in Rantoul. Illinois held a two-and-a-half hour practice in cool, windy conditions at the former Chanute Air Force Base. During the Red Zone portion near the end of practice, the Illini were full contact, doing their first hitting at Camp Rantoul. Follow practice, head coach Tim Beckman joined Jonathan Brown in the cold tubs to help ease the pain of a busy five days in Rantoul.

The Illini held practice number four on Monday afternoon at Camp Rantoul. After three days of split squad workouts at the Memorial Stadium practice fields, the Illini kicked off their 13^th year at Camp Rantoul with their first full squad practice.

It was clear that the intensity picked up on Monday, and it figures to go even higher on Tuesday as the Illini will strap on full pads for the first time this fall. Be on the lookout for the always entertaining Oklahoma Drill video tomorrow night.