The court glowed orange when Assembly Hall darkened.

A spotlight reflected off the Krush members who sat on the hardwood for the presentation of the All-Century Team, creating a haze of color too perfect to have been planned. As each former player was announced, he stepped out of the tunnel into the darkened Hall, where fans – most still in their seats following the 89-66 victory over Minnesota – flashed cameras and shouted nicknames not heard in Champaign since he last took the court.

The ceremony following Saturday’s game was one highlight in a weekend of activities celebrating the 100th season of Illinois varsity men’s basketball. The events drew 350 former players, coaches, trainers and managers spanning eight decades.

“It’s just been a ball, reminiscing and restoring some relationships,” said Harv Schmidt, Illini coach from 1967 to 1974.

A highlight reel played on the jumbotron to start the program and Jerry Colangelo, former Illini (1960-62) and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, spoke before alumni introductions.

“It’s been very nostalgic for all of us to come back, reacquaint, reminisce, tell a lot of bull stories,” Colangelo said. “And I don’t want you to wait another 100 years to do it again.”

While much of the talk compared this year’s Illini to teams including the Flyin’ Illini in 1989 and Whiz Kids of 1943, coach Bruce Weber shied away from the spotlight. Current players returned to the court in warm-ups and Weber shook hands with All-Century members, but the celebration was more about the last 99 years than the current one.

“This isn’t about us, about our team. Our job is to not screw up,” Weber said. “I told our guys to go unnoticed.”

The weekend started with alumni attending basketball practice Friday and a reception Friday night at the Ubben Basketball Complex. Aside from the ceremony at Assembly Hall, however, the highlight was an alumni game played at Huff Hall Saturday morning.

While the shots didn’t fall as easily and the 20-man teams meant short bursts of playing time, the fans still erupted for three-point sinkers from Lucas Johnson (1999-2002) and a second-half dunk by Chris Gandy (1994-97).

“I can’t say that I’ve ever played with this many NBA players before,” said Rich Beyers (1998). “It’s fun and it’s something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

Illini favorites like George Montgomery (1982-85) and Kenny Battle (1988-89) drew cheers as they made – and missed – shots, and laughter as they struggled to get the ball in the hoop, often getting the bucket on the third or fourth put back.

Half the game’s fun was just in competing against friends and former teammates, like Johnson coming up against Tommy Michael (1991-94), current assistant athletic director for academic services.

“It was just great to beat Tommy. That’s all I care about, beating Tommy Michael,” said Johnson, whose Blue team beat the Orange team 81-77. “Him being my academic advisor for four years and coming out here and showing him what I was made of – putting him in school.”

But the weekend wasn’t about whose skills were still intact. For most returnees, it was a chance to reunite with familiar faces and celebrate a century of accomplishments.

“It’s just special to come back and see friends and players, get to visit with the players,” said former head coach Lou Henson. “We had some great ones, not only outstanding players but good people.”