10 best NCAA basketball games of the decade - Illini/Arizona 2005 #1

tenaciousD · Nov 24, 2009, 08:08 PM

Here's an article from Yahoo's Rivals spot
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...aining-content

Guess which game is #1?

ChiSoxIllini82 · Nov 24, 2009, 08:21 PM

Hell Yea!

jheiser · Nov 24, 2009, 08:22 PM

that game give me chills every time I watch the highlights

WOLFE · Nov 24, 2009, 08:29 PM

sweet..

love it.

*Ranger Illini* · Nov 24, 2009, 08:35 PM

I still get a lump in my throat and tears of joy in my eyes. While I was just watching it my daughter looked at me and asked what's wrong dad? Illini Crazy! Looking for a relapse this year.

*IlliniSteve* · Nov 24, 2009, 09:39 PM

As it should be! Everytime I watch the highlights from the game the hair on the back of my neck stands up. What an amazing game.

BananaShampoo · Nov 24, 2009, 10:50 PM

I vote it the best game of all time. That is until we win a National Championship.

*Waam* · Nov 24, 2009, 11:32 PM

It's a great game, yes, but man... I still remember the loss in the NC more.

Plus, Arizona isn't the same program anymore, and I highly doubt they will be back consistely like they were when Lute Olsen was in charge.

Illinell · Nov 24, 2009, 11:40 PM

That damned video gets me every time......stupid video

I broke my watch during the game because I was clapping so hard.

*ilphotog* · Nov 24, 2009, 11:43 PM

Did we win?

*4ever* · Nov 24, 2009, 11:44 PM

I already knew that but hey, I'm glad they caught on.

GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#1

Illinifaninhawkeyeland · Nov 24, 2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinell

That damned video gets me every time......stupid video

I broke my watch during the game because I was clapping so hard.

"Williams to tie it with a three....He does."

That background music gets me teared up. I couldn't talk for two days. One of my greatest all time memories.

*4ever* · Nov 24, 2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinifaninhawkeyeland

"Williams to tie it with a three....He does."

That background music gets me teared up. I couldn't talk for two days. One of my greatest all time memories.

yeah..that video is special. very very special.

*davidlee930* · Nov 25, 2009, 12:35 AM

possibly one of my favorites moments of all time.

PURDUE7 · Nov 25, 2009, 12:51 AM

BOILERMAKER NATION and most of the BIG TEN were behind the ILLINI 100%!

Nothing better than watching a BIG TEN brother smack down an ACC/BIG EAST/PAC 10 team in the NCAA........or beat a SEC school in a bowl(that doesn't happen enough)

That was an easy team to like........

*4ever* · Nov 25, 2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PURDUE7

BOILERMAKER NATION and most of the BIG TEN were behind the ILLINI 100%!

Nothing better than watching a BIG TEN brother smack down an ACC/BIG EAST/PAC 10 team in the NCAA........or beat a SEC school in a bowl(that doesn't happen enough)

That was an easy team to like........

Yep and we appreciate it just like we love you guys beating up on Pearl.

We got some great coaches and teams in the B10 except Indiana. Love the Sparty's.

----------------------

I just watched that video again and I could feel my breathing getting harder and my pulse rising. If your a true die hard Illini fan and sports fan that game will bring tears to your eyes.

GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*illinois_hustle* · Nov 25, 2009, 03:04 AM

I love that game too ... have great memories of me and my family jumping up and down in a circle together as we came back in such an improbable fashion. I'll never forget that DWill fake and step to the left, then the three ...

... but fellow Illini fans, I'm tired of hearing how we are the "best team to not win the title". That's what they said about the Flyin' Illini in 1989 also: The best team to NOT win.

It's time we fulfilled the promise of Illinois Basketball, and we're getting the horses to do it!! These next few years are OUR time!!

RockyMtnIllini81 · Nov 25, 2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PURDUE7

BOILERMAKER NATION and most of the BIG TEN were behind the ILLINI 100%!

Nothing better than watching a BIG TEN brother smack down an ACC/BIG EAST/PAC 10 team in the NCAA........or beat a SEC school in a bowl(that doesn't happen enough)

I was lucky enough to be at both the Regional final and the Final Four that year. (don't forget the Illini beat Pearl and UWM in the first game that year). I still get chills when I think of DWill hitting that 3 to tie the game. At the end of the overtime, I saw the missed shot, then saw the ball go in the basket. It took a few seconds to realize that time expired before the ball went in. My experience at the Final Four was that the MSU fans cheered for the Illini and the Illini returned the favor for MSU. It was a great time to be an Illini fan and a Big Ten fan. Let's do it again soon - with a slightly different and amazingly better outcome.

PURDUE7 · Nov 25, 2009, 10:24 AM

MARCH MADNESS is the best time of the year.......
Rooting for 10 BIG TEN teams........not IU.
Rooting for other local teams or temas with PURDUE connections.......Illinois State with local kid Danny Muller a while back.......Southern Illinois with Weber and Painter......BUTLER love Hinckle Field House and the way they play.

I used to love the Indiana High School Tourney until they screwed it up....bring back the single class tourney! Even watched the Illinois tourney when I could.....Kenny Battle at Aurora.....Everette Stephens at Evanston.....Brice Douglas and Mike Payne at Quincy!

WeatherfordForMVP · Nov 25, 2009, 10:42 AM

I watched that game in my then-girlfriend's (now wife's) parent's basement, and I think my now-father-in-law thought I was absolutely the stupidest 19-year-old he'd ever seen. I was jumping on the couch, screaming, crying, laughing...I didn't truly love Illini basketball until that game.

After the game my wife and I drove down to the United Center to see if we could catch the team getting on their bus. We were able to see a lot of the players, and they all looked exhausted but in the happiest way possible. I particularly remember Jack Ingram being very friendly with the crowd and enjoying the fact that he had executed the most important steal (does that get counted a steal in the stats?) in Illini history.

Somehow I've never seen that video before, because I know I've never seen a compilation like that which captured the sinking feeling from minutes 10-4. I remember feeling like I couldn't believe it was going to end...but then it didn't! And to Waam...I remember that game more than the NC. That was the game that was the very essence of the 2004-05 Illini. The poorly-officiated NC did not.

jayboek · Nov 25, 2009, 11:19 AM

That video of that game gives me chills as well. Probably the best game of all time in any sport. Too bad they did not close the deal and beat N.C.
Which they probably would've beat 9 0f 10 times.

Richielenc · Nov 25, 2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jheiser

that game give me chills every time I watch the highlights

Gives me chills too. And teary eyes. That was the most incredible win ever!

*illini4everjp* · Nov 25, 2009, 11:26 AM

For easy viewing.

Illinifan08 · Nov 25, 2009, 01:17 PM

Literally brings tears to my eyes.... most amazing college basketball game I will probably ever witness.

ChiSoxIllini82 · Nov 25, 2009, 01:25 PM

Incredible.

Nov 24, 2009, 08:21 PM	#2
ChiSoxIllini82 Location: Chicago Posts: 582	Hell Yea! __________________

Nov 24, 2009, 08:29 PM	#4
WOLFE Location: Albion, IL Posts: 1,199	sweet.. love it. __________________ GO ILLINI

Nov 24, 2009, 10:50 PM	#7
BananaShampoo Captain 'Paign Location: Urbana, IL Posts: 7,258	I vote it the best game of all time. That is until we win a National Championship. __________________ C-U/UIUC Historian and Lover of all Things Illini

Nov 25, 2009, 12:35 AM	#14
davidlee930 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3,617	possibly one of my favorites moments of all time. __________________

Nov 25, 2009, 11:26 AM	#23
illini4everjp Illini Foot Soldier Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 17,577	For easy viewing. __________________

Nov 24, 2009, 08:08 PM	#1
tenaciousD Location: Virden, Illinois Posts: 16	Here's an article from Yahoo's Rivals spot http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...aining-content Guess which game is #1?

Nov 24, 2009, 08:22 PM	#3
jheiser Location: Too close to Iowa Posts: 121	that game give me chills every time I watch the highlights

Nov 24, 2009, 08:35 PM	#5
Ranger Illini Location: Champaign Posts: 27	I still get a lump in my throat and tears of joy in my eyes. While I was just watching it my daughter looked at me and asked what's wrong dad? Illini Crazy! Looking for a relapse this year.

Nov 24, 2009, 09:39 PM	#6
IlliniSteve Location: Edwardsville, IL Posts: 4,374	As it should be! Everytime I watch the highlights from the game the hair on the back of my neck stands up. What an amazing game.

Nov 24, 2009, 11:32 PM	#8
Waam Posts: 2,826	It's a great game, yes, but man... I still remember the loss in the NC more. Plus, Arizona isn't the same program anymore, and I highly doubt they will be back consistely like they were when Lute Olsen was in charge.

Nov 24, 2009, 11:40 PM	#9
Illinell '03 IMPE All Star Location: Wicker Park Posts: 152	That damned video gets me every time......stupid video I broke my watch during the game because I was clapping so hard.

Nov 24, 2009, 11:43 PM	#10
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 4,526	Did we win?

Nov 24, 2009, 11:44 PM	#11
4ever Inmate # 58232987 Location: Illinois Dept. of Corrections..Death Row Posts: 2,233	I already knew that but hey, I'm glad they caught on. GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#1

Nov 25, 2009, 12:51 AM	#15
PURDUE7 Posts: 181	BOILERMAKER NATION and most of the BIG TEN were behind the ILLINI 100%! Nothing better than watching a BIG TEN brother smack down an ACC/BIG EAST/PAC 10 team in the NCAA........or beat a SEC school in a bowl(that doesn't happen enough) That was an easy team to like........

Nov 25, 2009, 03:04 AM	#17
illinois_hustle Illini Mood Meter = 4/10 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,711	I love that game too ... have great memories of me and my family jumping up and down in a circle together as we came back in such an improbable fashion. I'll never forget that DWill fake and step to the left, then the three ... ... but fellow Illini fans, I'm tired of hearing how we are the "best team to not win the title". That's what they said about the Flyin' Illini in 1989 also: The best team to NOT win. It's time we fulfilled the promise of Illinois Basketball, and we're getting the horses to do it!! These next few years are OUR time!!

Nov 25, 2009, 10:24 AM	#19
PURDUE7 Posts: 181	MARCH MADNESS is the best time of the year....... Rooting for 10 BIG TEN teams........not IU. Rooting for other local teams or temas with PURDUE connections.......Illinois State with local kid Danny Muller a while back.......Southern Illinois with Weber and Painter......BUTLER love Hinckle Field House and the way they play. I used to love the Indiana High School Tourney until they screwed it up....bring back the single class tourney! Even watched the Illinois tourney when I could.....Kenny Battle at Aurora.....Everette Stephens at Evanston.....Brice Douglas and Mike Payne at Quincy!

Nov 25, 2009, 10:42 AM	#20
WeatherfordForMVP Posts: 196	I watched that game in my then-girlfriend's (now wife's) parent's basement, and I think my now-father-in-law thought I was absolutely the stupidest 19-year-old he'd ever seen. I was jumping on the couch, screaming, crying, laughing...I didn't truly love Illini basketball until that game. After the game my wife and I drove down to the United Center to see if we could catch the team getting on their bus. We were able to see a lot of the players, and they all looked exhausted but in the happiest way possible. I particularly remember Jack Ingram being very friendly with the crowd and enjoying the fact that he had executed the most important steal (does that get counted a steal in the stats?) in Illini history. Somehow I've never seen that video before, because I know I've never seen a compilation like that which captured the sinking feeling from minutes 10-4. I remember feeling like I couldn't believe it was going to end...but then it didn't! And to Waam...I remember that game more than the NC. That was the game that was the very essence of the 2004-05 Illini. The poorly-officiated NC did not.

Nov 25, 2009, 11:19 AM	#21
jayboek Location: Quad Cities Posts: 402	That video of that game gives me chills as well. Probably the best game of all time in any sport. Too bad they did not close the deal and beat N.C. Which they probably would've beat 9 0f 10 times.

Nov 25, 2009, 01:17 PM	#24
Illinifan08 Posts: 73	Literally brings tears to my eyes.... most amazing college basketball game I will probably ever witness.

Nov 25, 2009, 01:25 PM	#25
ChiSoxIllini82 Location: Chicago Posts: 582	Incredible. __________________