The Top 5 Moments at the Assembly Hall (2002 - 2005)
March 10, 2005 10:39 AM
5. Illinois - Indiana: Feb 26, 2002
Indiana's Dane Fife makes about 10 threes in a row in warm-ups, despite constant taunting from Krush members. He bets a Krush member 5 bucks he will make the next shot. He misses, fails to pay up. For the rest of the game, the Krush section behind the IU bench waves money at Fife. Fife scores 5 points on 1 of 4 shooting. Archibald attempts to squash him. Fife will try to guard Frank Williams, who burns him for 24 points.Later, the Indiana bench will get a second technical for failing to sit down after repeated warnings, Mike Davis will throw a now trademark hissy fit. Illinois wins 70-62
4. Illinois - North Carolina: Dec 3, 2002
Still unsure of how a team that graduated 5 seniors will fare, Illinois faces red hot, undefeated, and seemingly back to prominence North Carolina in a battle of top freshman classes. The Seniors for Illinois decide this contest as Sean Harrington catches fire for Illinois, hitting 6-8 from 3. Brian Cook scores 22. The Assembly Hall crowd explodes as the Illini finish on a 28-2 run in the final 7 and a half.As for myself, who has been on Sean May and Matt DOH all game, I rile the hell out of the North Carolina parents. Sean May's mom eventually feels compelled to respond to everything I say, before succumbing to a total ass whipping. A North Carolina parent of one of the crappy white bench players tells me to grow up. I respond, "I'm in college, I don't have to do that for 3 years." She can only stare with mouth agape, as do many Heel fans at the final score. Illinois 92 - UNC 65
3. Illinois - Indiana, Feb 25, 2003
In one of the more hilarious moments in the Hall's history, Illini fan favorite Tom "Cleatus the Slack Jawed Yokel" Coverdale is booed EVERY TIME he touches the ball by 16,500 people. He scores just 9 points as the Illini blow away the Hoosiers in the 2nd half, led by Roger Powell's 22 points.I repeatedly inquired to the Indiana bench why one A.J. Moye logged just 7 minutes of playing time, after all, isn't he their best player? Late in the game, George Leach turns around and gives me the "I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR EYES OUT OF YOUR SKULL" glare. I laugh at him, and continue to ask why Moye isn't in the game. Krush serenades Bracey Wright with his favorite novel, Harry Potter. Illinois flattens Indiana 80-54.
2. Illinois - Wake Forest: Dec 1st, 2004
In the most anticipated game since Magic came to town, the #4 Fighting Illini bludgeon the living daylights out of the #1 team in the country, in a game that isn't as close as the score indicated. Illinois hits 11 3 pointers, lead 54-33 at half, 81-49 at the height, and the Orange Krush break into the chant of "We're #1" ...and MEAN it. I think about trying to steal Erik Williams mother's hat, but decide I'd probably like to live to see them win the National Championship. The Assembly Hall is painted an Orange that hadn't been seen before, and you couldn't help but stare up into the stands in awe. Illini win 91-73 and are ranked #1 in both polls the next Monday. My face hurt the next day from smiling so much.1. Illinois - Iowa: Jan 15, 2002
The buzz between #11 Illinois and #17 Iowa was electric 20 minutes before tip, and reached a fever pitch as the two bitter rivals tipped off. I have been to many games in my life, and only the Illini-MSU game in 1998 compared to this one as far as noise and crowd intensity. Frank Williams puts on a show for the ages, as he abuses the poor, moronic freshman Pierre Pierce, who thinks, for whatever reason, he can taunt Frank, much to the displeasure of Reggie's Head Evans. Reggie's warnings come too late. Frank takes consecutive steals for an unbelievable behind the back pass to Brian Cook, and for his own lay-up, as the Assembly Hall breaks into unbridled pandemonium. Dick Vitale almost passes out onto the announcing table.Williams scored 16 points and dropped 9 dimes on the Hawkeyes. Alford feels the brunt of the Orange Krush's fury, and an Iowa newspaper writes an article about the insanity of the Krush that day. I wake up the next day with no voice, as the Illini win 77-66.
It's been an amazing 4 years here, I've been at every home game except Longwood this year, and have seen just 2 losses. To everyone that has pledged me for Krush, a HUGE thank you goes out to you, this wouldn't have been possible with out you. Now if you'll excuse me, it's getting a little dusty in here. See ya'll in St. Louis... Filed under: Illini Basketball
