The Orange Krush is one of the most intimidating and recognized men's basketball student cheering sections in the country. With its trademark cheers and helping to create a sea of orange in State Farm Center, the Krush creates a game day atmosphere like none other. The name Orange Krush is a pun of the orange soft drink Orange Crush, and the club is known as much for its contributions away from the basketball court as its enthusiasm during games. Orange Krush is a charitable organization that requires members to solicit pledges for every three-point basket made by the men's basketball team over the course of the season. Membership in the Orange Krush is open to any student who is a member of Illini Pride, with different levels of Krush membership based on the amount of pledge money raised.

The Orange Krush Foundation is known for its philanthropic nature, by raising money for the Lou Henson Coaching Endowment Fund and dozens of local and national charities. It provides students the opportunity to give back to their University, campus and community, and in addition to supporting the community financially, members of the Orange Krush are encouraged to actively volunteer with local community organizations.

In 2005, the Orange Krush Foundation presented the Jimmy V Foundation with a check for $50,000, representing the one-millionth dollar donated by the organization. Since its creation in 1998, the Orange Krush Foundation has raised and donated over $2.7 million to local and national charities, raising and donating approximately $150,000 to the University and 58 charities during the 2013-14 season alone.