The Familiar Nightmare: Virginia Tech Comeback Ends Illini's Season

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." - Mark Twain

Like a recurring nightmare, the Illini ended the 2007 campaign in the familiar pattern set forth in most of their losses throughout the season: Illinois carves out a 2nd half lead in a defensive struggle, only to see the lead quickly evaporate in the final minutes, unable to stop the comeback by the opposition as the offense grinds to a standstill.

The loss to Virginia Tech in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament is particularly tough to take, considering it's entirely likely all the Illini had to do was score one basket in the final four minutes to secure victory and move on to the 2nd round. As it was, Brian Randle's layup at 4:29 which gave Illinois a 52-42 lead was the final points for the Illini. Virginia Tech pressed and attacked the basket, Illinois threw up bad shots and gave up unforced turnovers, and the Hokies scored the final 12 points of the game to advance. Thread. Article. Article. Article. Article. Recap.

71 pictures from Columbus after the jump:














































NCAA Tournament Round 1 - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH - Friday, March 16, 2007

#5 Virginia Tech Hokies 54 - 52 #12 Illinois Fighting Illini

Opening tip.




Warren Carter makes it 4-0 Illinois.




Shaun Pruitt. 6-2 Illinois.




Zabian Dowdell is fouled by Shaun Pruitt, converts 3-pt play. 11-8 Illinois.










Marcus Arnold. 14-13 Virginia Tech.




Rich McBride 3-pt. 19-17 Illinois.




Shaun Pruitt. 21-17 Illinois.




Brian Randle's fast-break dunk highlight. 25-19 Illinois.







Warren Carter is fouled on a 3-pt shot; converts the 4-pt play. 29-19 Illinois.







Halftime: 29-21 Illinois. 2nd half action:


Warren Carter dishes to Shaun Pruitt for the dunk. 31-25 Illinois.







Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg reacts after receiving a technical foul. Rich McBride hit the technical FTs; 33-27 Illinois.







Warren Carter. 35-29 Illinois.

























Rich McBride is fouled on a 3-pt attempt. McBride misses the first two FTs...




...and leaves the game due to flu-like symptoms; Trent Meacham replaces McBride and hits the last FT.




McBride heads back to the locker room and returns a few minutes later.










Trent Meacham 3-pt. 44-34 Illinois.




Bruce Weber.




Warren Carter. 46-34 Illinois.













Warren Carter is fouled, hits 1 of 2 FTs. 48-37 Illinois.







Virginia Tech begins the full-court press.







Deron Washington (not pictured) is called for an intentional foul on Brian Randle.




Randle misses both FTs.




Illinois' final points of the game: Brian Randle heads upcourt after hitting a layup. 52-42 Illinois.










Chester Frazier launches a 3. 52-47 Illinois.




Shaun Pruitt misses a layup under heavy duress. 52-50 Illinois.




Warren Carter. 52-51 Illinois.




Deron Washington banks it in to give Virginia Tech the lead for good: 53-52.




Warren Carter.




Virginia Tech 54 - Illinois 52. Brian Randle misses a 3pt, grabs his own rebound and is fouled.




Randle misses the front-end of the 1-and-1, manages to get his own rebound but cannot convert a shot or get a call in the ensuing scrum.




Final: Virginia Tech 54 - Illinois 52.




Seth Greenberg greets the VT crowd after the game.






Filed under: Illini Basketball, Illinois Loyalty Photos, Virginia Tech Hokies