After advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 1994-95, Illinois extended its run on postseason play with a berth in the 1996 NIT.

The Illini started the 1995-96 season 11-1 before losing Kiwane Garris to injury.

Without its leader, the Illini dropped its first five Big Ten games.

Garris returned, but was never 100 percent and junior forward Jerry Hester missed games with a severely sprained ankle.

In his 21 years at Illinois, Henson notched 423 victories and guided the Illini to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.