(www.fightingillini.com)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The bracket is officially set for the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Fighting Illini (20-12) earned an at-large bid, the program’s third consecutive bid under head coach Brad Underwood, as the No. 9 seed in the West region and will
open their NCAA Tournament run against No. 8 seed Arkansas (20-13) in the first round on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa. The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will air on TBS.

Illinois is making its 33rd overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and owns an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 42-33.
Coach Underwood, meanwhile, will be making his seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years as a head coach.