What nickname is associated with the University of Illinois?

The nickname associated with the University of Illinois is "Fighting Illini." This moniker pays homage to the state's Native American heritage and reflects the fighting spirit and competitive nature embodied by the university's athletic teams. The term "Illini" refers to the various Native American tribes that lived in Illinois, and the fighting element signifies resilience and determination, traits that the athletic programs aspire to showcase.

The other choices do not correspond to the University of Illinois. For example, "Hawkeyes" refers to the University of Iowa's teams, while "Scarlet Knight" is linked to Rutgers University. "Buskers" does not represent a widely recognized nickname associated with any university's athletic teams in the context of the question.