SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod Blagojevich today made a bet with North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, as their state universities prepare to go head-to-head in the NCAA basketball National Championship game.

 

If the University of Illinois Fighting Illini prevail tonight, Gov. Easley will provide dinner from Lexington BBQ and The Barbeque Joint in Chapel Hill, as well as a six-pack of Cheerwine, a cherry flavored soft drink invented in North Carolina.

 

If the University of North Carolina Tar Heels win the game, Gov. Blagojevich will send a Champaign-favorite, Papa Del’s deep dish pizza, and a six-pack of Orange Crush to Raleigh.

 

“The Illini have played all year with talent, experience, unselfishness, and most importantly – heart,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “I expect to celebrate with tens of thousands of Illini faithful tonight in St. Louis, and to toast the success of the team soon with Cheerwine.”

 

Second year head coach Bruce Weber has led the Illini to a 37-1 record over the course of this season. All five starters, four of which are Illinois natives, have double digit scoring averages. The team has broken many other school and conference records this season, including their historic 29 game winning streak and having four different players named Big Ten Player of the Week over the course of the season.