This is a statement that could get me persecuted and perhaps even beaten, especially living in the Land of Lincoln, but I have to say it. I hate the University of Illinois.

There are many reasons for my loathe of the Fighting Illini. Most notably, though, would probably be that I’m a die-hard Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and I’ve always caught my fair share of guff from annoying Illini fans about being an Iowa fan living in Illinois.

So if I’m a perennial hater of the Illini, why would I root from them tonight when they take on North Carolina in the NCAA Championship?

Before you accuse me of jumping on the orange bandwagon that’s rolling through the Midwest, I’ll tell you the real reason. I’m a Big Ten fan before I’m an Illini hater.

While the physical play of the Big Ten may not be for everyone, namely the scores of college basketball analysts who have doubted Illinois all year long, the fundamental play in the conference attracts basketball purists.

During the Illinois/ Louisville game Saturday, the announcers kept talking about the phenomenal team play of the Illini. Should they really be surprised? If you look at nearly any other team in the Big Ten, you’ll see the exact same thing. Not every team has the talent Illinois does and the ability to spread the ball around like they do, but Big Ten players know their roles on the team. The discipline the conference exemplifies is one of the reasons that I enjoy college sports over pro. And, while having a Big Ten match-up in the championship would have been fantastic, I am glad that Michigan State lost to North Carolina on Saturday.

That sounds like it refutes everything I just said before, but here’s the deal. Let’s say the Illini beat the Spartans in the championship; you’ll never hear the end of it from ACC enthusiasts who will claim that Illinois wasn’t a true champion because they didn’t play the No. 2 team in the nation.

And while I may not be the biggest Illini fan, I will be tonight as I hope they can bring the Big Ten another National Championship and some much deserved respect.

Dan Renick is a junior journalism major. I you would like to root for him even though you hate him you can at [email protected].