I also REALLY suggest people check out the
the full video of the game if they want a real trip down memory lane. For anyone who watched this one live on TV, it will remind you of how agonizingly long those last four minutes felt! And that does not even take into account the infuriating commercial breaks during the comeback where we had to nervously wait for the game to come back on ... I distinctly remember after one commercial, even the announcer was audibly annoyed with having to advertise the upcoming Cold Case episode on CBS.
To guide your journey for the attached video...
1. 49 min 30 sec: With about 9:55 left, Roger Powell scores a nice and one to cut Arizona's lead to 57-54. The crowd gets back into it, and it seems like we are about to recapture momentum. We trade baskets, but...
2. 51 min 5 sec: After a three from Williams once again cuts the lead to three, an Arizona dunk completely deflates us and extends their lead to 5 with 9:03 to go.
3. 55 min 30 sec: After a nice defensive rebound, we have the ball down 9 (tied for the biggest deficit we faced all year) with 6:29 to go. Head takes what looks like a rushed three pointer, and we foul on the rebound ... for the first time, we genuinely look rattled. On the next possession, Arizona hits a three to make it 72-58 with just over 6 minutes to go. Illini fans everywhere are OFFICIALLY starting to freak out.
4. 1 hr 0 min 20 sec: Arizona misses a layup, and we commit a clear frustration foul on the rebound. Arizona hits both free throws to make it 75-60 with 4:04 remaining ... the true depth of the despair. I can honestly say for whatever reason, though, that I STILL hadn't given up hope. But looking back, I think a lot of that might have been denial!
5. 1 hr 6 min 10 sec: We have cut Arizona's lead back to 9 (77-68) and got a nice defensive rebound, but there are only 2 minutes left ... we have got to go NOW. After a missed jumper by Williams, Powell's putback is completely stuffed, and Arizona has the ball back with 1:49 to go. I officially start to think it's over.
6. 1 hr 6 min 54 sec: The first steal by Luther cuts the lead to 77-70 with 1:21 to go. Mostly just calling this one out for the memories, as it didn't really do that much to reignite my hope we could really win this thing. If you will notice, Arizona doesn't even chase him down at full speed, because most people really did think this one was over.
7. 1 hr 8 min 28 sec: After a nice drive by Williams, we have cut the lead to 6 with 1:05 to go ... we can at least entertain hope again! However, we foul Arizona before the ball is passed inbounds. The temporary boost of momentum/energy/optimism from cutting it to 6 is slowly strangled from us as Arizona methodically and slowly hits both free throws ... the look on the faces of our bench players says it all. Barring an absolute miracle, we just don't have enough time to make up 8 points.
8. 1 hr 9 min 20 sec: ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! We all know how it goes from here, so just enjoy! However, I will say that while everyone focuses on the "15 points in 4 minutes!" aspect of the comeback, the following FAR more impressive stat is lost ... we made up an 8-point deficit in 20 frickin' seconds. Oh yeah, and for anyone who wants to know, the moment the camera literally shakes from Williams' game-tying three starts roughly at 1:10:28!