Illinois/Arizona Defies Words

Wow, where to start when it comes to Saturday's amazing victory by the Illini over Arizona, advancing Illinois to their first final 4 since 1989? Well ok, I'll start with a bit of a history lesson, first regarding myself, then the team.

I am a 19 year old community college student in the Northern portion of the state of Illinois. Yes, I'm a young one, and not even a student at Illinois, but I have loved Illinois basketball for over a decade, since the early 90's, going all the way back to Deon Thomas. I have lived and died with this team for so long, and here's some examples.

The 11th place finish in a conference named THE BIG 10. Yeah it was awful or course, but then some hope. The young Illini came together at just the right time, and made a historic run to the Championship game of the Big 10 Tournament. Sadly, the club ran out of gas only to fall to powerhouse Michigan State in the championship game. Such a crushing defeat.

In 2000-2001, a young up and coming coach named Bill Self inherited a solid core of players from Lon Kruger, who had ran to NBA riches after building the Illinois program back to respectability. The Illini were co-champions of the Big 10, and received a #1 seed in the Midwest region. After 3 solid victories, including a great win over Kansas in the sweet 16, Illinois ran into #2 seed Arizona in the elite 8. The defeat was harsh, an 87-81 fall in a game that saw 6 Illini foul out and Arizona's loaded squad shoot a record 56 free throws. Such a crushing defeat.

Of course, I have experience much more disappointment with Illini basketball. The 1 point loss at Wisconsin in 2003 that cost us a Big 10 title, the 3 point barrage from Notre Dame that knocked us out in the 2nd round, Bill Self running to Kansas, the losses of Shaun Livingston and Julian Wright in recruiting were even painful. So needless to say, when Illinois fell 15 back to Arizona with 4 minutes to play Saturday night, I figured it was over.

How could you not think it was over? Illinois has a history of disaster in the NCAA Tournament, and a 15 point lead is impossible to come back from in 4 minutes right? Well as I sat in section 214, row R of the Allstate Arena, history began. Everybody came up big! Deron hit some 3's, as did Luther. Dee even had a key putback on the offensive glass. The Illini press, rarely if at all used all year, was clutch, and after a Jack Ingram (yes Jack Ingram) steal on the inbounds, smooth Deron hits a 3 to tie it!

Arizona still has a chance though, hindering the optimism. McClellan with a good look, but no good! Dee has it! Oh no Dee threw it away! WHAT A BLOCK BY LUTHER! OVERTIME! Isn't that what you thought as you watched? Regulation was over, tied at 80, the arena was in a frenzy, as for me, I was out of gas, the emotional roller coaster was far from over however.

Now, as an Illini fan, I sat there with 4 minutes left thinking "damn, another crushing loss". This is what the Illini do, they break your heart. Even DURING THE RUN, I was thinking "they are just toying with me, don't get too excited". As a matter of fact, I refused to get excited until Deron hit the 3 to tie it, at which point I just lost it. But now, 5 more minutes of basketball. Illinois has all the momentum, but of course, this is the Illini, something bad is going to happen right?

Overtime started oh so well. Deron hits a pair of just monster 3 point shots, Roger's apparently missed dunk somehow bounces in, Luther with a big steal and layup, and it's 90-84 Illini. But this wasn't over, no way. Hassan Adams with a layup and 1, 90-87. Hassan Adams with a putback off the 3 point miss by the ice cold Stoudamire, 90-89. Oh no, the Illini can't do this to us, they can't, no way.....

Luther drives to the hole, and there is he again. Channing Frye, the monster inside, to alter the shot. Timeout, 11 seconds left, 90-89 Arizona. The crowd is almost deadly quiet now, nervous of what's next. Everybody wants to believe the Illini will do it, but deep down, we expect heartbreak, just like in 1989 against Michigan, and in the Big Ten Tourney against Michigan State, and against Arizona 4 years ago.

But no, THERE IS JOY IN ILLINOIS! Adams is hounded by Deron Williams, and his buzzer beater bricks off the backboard! Oh my, the noise in Allstate Arena was amazing! People yelling, screaming, crying, hugging strangers, as the players run wild and celebrate on the floor. Finally, after long last, 16 years later, "ILLINOIS IS GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR!" as Brian Barnhardt said so poetically.

This win was so sweet. My story of pain and sadness with this team is incredible of course, but I'm still young. For the lifelong Illini fans like Loren Tate, this win must have been oh so sweet. An ironic thing about all this is, I always laugh at Cubs fans (I'm a White Sox fan) because of their "curse" and how they can "never win". Well ever since the Bruce Pearl/Deon Thomas incident, the Illini have almost seemed "cursed" with all the close calls only to fall short.

Well this time, no close call, just a Final Four. The Final Four is something of course I'd love to see the Illini win, but even if they don't, I won't care anymore. JUST TO SEE THEM IN THE FINAL FOUR is amazing and awesome enough for me, and the heart this team showed Saturday is something I'll carry with me forever. The noise of the crowd, the parties, celebrations, all just an amazing scene in Rosemont. I will love every last member of this team forever, especially James and Roger up front, and Luther, Dee and Deron in the backcourt, who have started all year. And of course, Coach Bruce, who after a rocky start, is turning into a hero in Champaign/Urbana.

The amazing game Saturday was a roller coaster, but the same could be said for a century of basketball at the University of Illinois. There have been a lot of ups and downs, so did you think returning to glory would be easy?

Filed under: Arizona Wildcats, Illini Basketball