It’s been a tough journey for redshirt junior guard/forward Ty Rodgers over the past two seasons. After being a starter on Illinois’ 2024 Elite Eight team, Rodgers has sat out the past two seasons – one because of a redshirt and this one because of a torn patellar tendon he suffered in the offseason. 

For Rodgers, a chance to play in the Final Four is “something you dream of as a kid.” However, being injured and not being able to touch the hardwood on the biggest stage in college basketball, when his team is getting the chance to, can be tough to process. 

You would never guess that, though, from his always smiling face and energetic demeanor – and that’s intentional. Staying positive, supporting his teammates and finding a silver lining in every moment is all a part of the process for Rodgers.

“Selfishly, I can’t say it’s all great,” Rodgers said. “It’s obviously some internal things. I would never let that show, and I would never let it affect my guys. But it’s definitely some thoughts where it’s like, ‘Dang, I wish I was out here.’ But I’m cherishing the moment. I’m enjoying the moment because it’s a blessing to get here.”

For his teammates and coaches, Rodgers’ voice has been huge on the sideline over the past two years, with many referring to him as almost another coach on the bench. Despite sitting out and having to watch his teammates make the split-second decisions that lead to a win or loss, the team’s success still matters deeply to Rodgers. 

After No. 3 Illinois advanced past No. 2 Houston to the Elite Eight, Rodgers jumped up and down as he ran back to the locker room, screaming, “We’re back, we’re back,” before spraying everyone with water guns. That same feeling of gratitude for winning was present after the Illini beat the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes to get to the Final Four. 

“He hugged me in Houston and said, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you and I just can’t thank you enough,’” said head coach Brad Underwood. “That’s the type of human being he is. He’s a terrific guy. He’s been through it. I feel terrible for him that he’s not a part of it. But he is genuinely happy for all of us, and to me, that’s why he’s Illini through and through.”

Now that Illinois has gotten over the hump it failed to two years ago, a familiar opponent awaits, especially for Rodgers. The No. 2 UConn Huskies, who took down the Illini behind a 30-0 run in the Elite Eight in 2024, stand in the way of the Illini’s chance to play for the national title. 

Rodgers is one of two remaining Illini from that year, and he still carries that back story with him. Although Rodgers can’t express that feeling for revenge on the court, it adds yet another layer of importance to this matchup for both him and the rest of the Illini, besides it just being a high-profile Final Four game. 

“I still feel that (loss), man,” Rodgers said. “I know all the coaches still feel that. So we’re excited and we’re blessed to be able to get this rematch. And hopefully we can take care of it and get it done.”

The Illini will have their shot, both to take revenge for their 2024 counterparts, and for a regular-season loss back in November, on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s the biggest stage, literally, that any of them have ever played on, and the excitement is palpable. Thousands and thousands of Illini fans were present on Friday to watch the team practice, and it was loud, but Saturday will be a whole different feeling.

Rodgers, whose parents and siblings will be in attendance to support, is just excited to take it all in. It’s a surreal feeling for him to be in this moment. Rodgers was able to attend the Final Four once as a young kid, and now he will be one of the players that is supported by tens of thousands of other young fans. 

“I think all of us, I feel like all of our mouths were just like, ‘Wow,’ when we walked in,” Rodgers said. “We’re used to playing in front of 17,000, so 70,000 is almost three times different. But it’s going to be fun. I’m excited.”

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