Obama's inauguration + Illini basketball = Illinois Day

"In effect, the Illinois men's basketball team is creating what we believe to be the largest inauguration party outside of Washington, D.C. in honor of an Illinois senator being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States," said Assistant Director of Athletics Chris Hanna. "We believe the visual of our fans wearing their orange to celebrate our men's basketball program appearing on national television and waving the flags to honor the incoming President will be powerful and memorable.

"This is a story that crosses beyond sports into news and if any program deserves that exposure, then it's Bruce Weber's outstanding men's basketball team. This is a great day for the state of Illinois."

fightingillini.com