No. 24 Illini Headed to [11] Harvard for NCAA Tournament

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 24 Fighting Illini men’s tennis team (19-11) will travel to Cambridge for the 2023 NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds.

The Illini will face Arizona State (13-11) in the first round on Saturday, while Harvard will take on Siena.

Saturday’s first-round winners will meet in the second round on Sunday

“Arizona State is stacked,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “We saw them in January and they’re loaded. It’ll be a huge challenge for us in the first round. They’re well-coached and have great players and it’s going to be a great match.”

Illinois is making its 26th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, and its 16th in Dancer’s 18-year tenure as UI head coach. 

Illinois owns a 52-24 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini won the national championship in 2003, and finished as national runner-up in Dancer’s second season in 2007.

The Illini last competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2021, advancing to the Round of 16.