When you’ve got more than 300 former Division-I athletes and coaches on hand for a basketball game, it’s natural to solicit their opinions.

Over the course of the weekend celebrating the 100th season of varsity men’s basketball, everybody had something to say about the 21-0 Illini. Whether it was advice for the players or professions of loyalty, the talk did not stop.

“They are a classy team,” said former Illini coach Lou Henson (1975-96). “It’s really an amazing team and (amazing) how they get it done.”

The former players are current fans. Nobody wants to be the guy who doesn’t keep up with his alma mater, and most alumni are excited to see the team doing so well.

“I watch them all the time; if they’re playing basketball, I’m watching,” said Marcus Liberty (1989-90). “No matter what I’m doing, I’m going to put down whatever I’m doing, I’m going to watch these guys play. They’re exciting.”

As exciting as Liberty and the Flyin’ Illini? Maybe. The 2005 edition has already broken the 1989 group’s record for the longest winning streak to open the season. They’re on pace to blow past that year’s numbers for assists (20 compared to 17.8). Then there’s that No. 1 ranking.

But not so fast.

“The Flyin’ Illini had a flair about them,” Henson said. “I’ve never seen a team exactly like that.”

Which isn’t to say Dee Brown, Deron Williams and the rest of the gang lack flair. Henson was quick to assert his favorable impression of Brown’s character. He called the whole team classy. But he didn’t sound convinced they could top his guys.

Still, they’re doing some things right.

“I think it’s obvious whenever you watch a team play and they play with great energy,” said former coach Gene Bartow (1974-75). “They keep the turnovers down, take open shots. They haven’t had very many slips.”

Henson said even if they can’t measure up against the Flyin’ Illini, this year’s team has helped Illinois get the recognition it deserves as a top basketball program. Often overshadowed by Big Ten foe Indiana and ACC powerhouses like Duke and Wake Forest, Illinois is usually considered a top-25 team – not high enough by some standards.

“I’m happy for the team,” said Frank Williams (2000-2002). “Those guys are playing great right now and hopefully they can continue and give us a championship; that’s what we need.”

Illinois basketball history is dotted with top-tier teams. The Whiz Kids of the 1940s. Johnny “Red” Kerr and the 1952 Final Four squad. 1963’s Big Ten Champions. But hopes run high that this team’s success propels the program higher.

“We’ve had good ball clubs throughout the years, but I think this is the icing on the cake,” Henson said.

Whether the Illini finish the season as National Champions or with a first-round elimination, the former players and coaches will be happy with where the program has gone in the past century.

“It’s wonderful to be here and be a part of all this,” said former coach Harv Schmidt. “I’m kind of convinced in my own mind that when you’re 20-0, and you’re No. 1 in the country and you’re celebrating the 100-year anniversary of a quality major college basketball program, that this is probably the year of the Illini.”