http://grantland.com/the-triangle/e...005-arizona-illinois-showdown-10-years-later/
Grantland showing the game some love today....
Grantland showing the game some love today....
2005 Illinois-Arizona Elite 8 Game
I was at the game as a guest of one of our carriers and the main contact I was sitting with was a UA fan. At some point I congratulated him on the victory and not rubbing my nose in it. Fast forward and I was talking to an Illinois fan next to me and saying, they can't really come back.
I then remember being in the concourse after the game when everyone was screaming and yelling and high fiving. Still the greatest moment ever for me as an Illini fan.
My family still kids me to this day, that if I was watching it on TV, I would have turned the game off, which is absolutely true.
As an aside, I was telling the story to someone the other day about the '84 Rose Bowl. My ex-wife was an Illinette during that time frame and was at the game obviously. She asked me once if I had a tape of the game and I told her no. She couldn't believe I didn't tape the game. I told her I did, but recorded over it. I asked her why I would EVER want to watch that game or any other loss? I could watch the end of the UA game on a continual loop, but could never watch a loss again.
I then remember being in the concourse after the game when everyone was screaming and yelling and high fiving. Still the greatest moment ever for me as an Illini fan.
My family still kids me to this day, that if I was watching it on TV, I would have turned the game off, which is absolutely true.
As an aside, I was telling the story to someone the other day about the '84 Rose Bowl. My ex-wife was an Illinette during that time frame and was at the game obviously. She asked me once if I had a tape of the game and I told her no. She couldn't believe I didn't tape the game. I told her I did, but recorded over it. I asked her why I would EVER want to watch that game or any other loss? I could watch the end of the UA game on a continual loop, but could never watch a loss again.
I was 14 years old and recorded everyone of the games that was on TV that year. Once we got down towards the end of the game my dad and I took the tape out and I broke it in half. It was pathetic how big of a baby I was once they got down by that much. I wish I wouldn't have done that and still had a copy of the tape.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
my brother never fixed the hole he made (with his head) in his basement ceiling when he jumped into the air following the williams 3 to tie it
I was at Joe's on Weed Street with some friends. This is a great Illini venue, and due to the fact that they knew it was going to be packed, they covered over the beer garden (temps were in the 40s, tops) and brought in heaters to expand capacity. When the comeback started, I was drunk, angry, and sullen. 15 minutes later, I was screaming at the top of my lungs and hugging complete strangers. Probably the greatest sports moment of my life. The only thing that would have topped it would be seeing it live.
March 2005 was the worst month of my life, lost my grandpa and one of my good friends in consecutive weeks. The one thing that kept me functioning was Illini basketball. Watching that game with my father was something special, that i will never forget. I get goosebumps every time i think about this game. The look on Luther's face as he was driving to the hoop late in the game.......ahhh i will never forget that team.
Deleted member 11228
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Have been looking for this game for years. Thanks.:thumb:
I was at the game. Felt a bit guilty shelling out the $$$ for tix at the time but it obviously ended up being worth every penny and then some. We were in the upper deck, and when Deron hit the tying 3, the stands felt like it could easily collapse it was shaking so much. Definitely couldn't talk much for a day or two after that one.
URH Snyder 490
Orange Crush '89
- Northern Illinois
[YOUTUBE]eKIrsx36tyw[/YOUTUBE]
Had a party at te house that night to watch the game. Was in a severe depression with 4 minutes left and was told maybe next year. Then the comeback came. The greatest 3 minute performance by a college team in regulation in my mind. Then overtime and the win. I was so excited I hugged and picked up my friend and accidentally knocked his tooth loose. We went running out in the street and the neighbors came running out too. We decided to go out to the local bar. I remember people honking their horns and waiving and shouting. And this was in the west suburbs of Chicago. That team captured the heart of the entire state. I can't wait to get back there again
Watched this one from my living room after looking hard at tickets on ebay but, couldn't pull the trigger. When we got to within 7 I remember telling my wife that it was nice we were trying come back but, it's too little too late. When Deron hit the 3 to tie it I swear I jumped off the couch so hard I hit my head on the ceiling.
Ultimately ended up getting tickets to Championship game on Ebay after losing the auction. Apparently the guy that won backed out so they were offered to me. The guy selling them was going to the semi finals but, decided to go to the Reds opening day instead of the NC game. Lucky for me! Walking into the Edward Jones Dome before the NC game was a surreal experience. I will never forget that year. My best sporting experience thus far.
Ultimately ended up getting tickets to Championship game on Ebay after losing the auction. Apparently the guy that won backed out so they were offered to me. The guy selling them was going to the semi finals but, decided to go to the Reds opening day instead of the NC game. Lucky for me! Walking into the Edward Jones Dome before the NC game was a surreal experience. I will never forget that year. My best sporting experience thus far.
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
I was there at the Allstate arena for the game. I remember telling my friend that we still have a chance to come back when there were around 3 or 4 minutes left in the game. The stands did feel like they could come down, everything was shaking when the Illini would score or steal the ball. When we finally won the game, we took our time leaving and ran into Marcus Liberty leaving the game and gave him a high five. Went to Joes for a beer, then watched the replay of the finish again, it was such an amazing game.
We attended the prior game against Bruce Pearl's Wisconsin-Milwaukee team as well, and that was satisfying to beat that guy in a key tourney game.
We attended the prior game against Bruce Pearl's Wisconsin-Milwaukee team as well, and that was satisfying to beat that guy in a key tourney game.
Deleted member 16340
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My wife was just starting her photography business and was working a wedding reception. I was checking the score in the bar from time to time, much to her chagrin. I stopped checking after they got down so far...On the ride home I heard on the radio that a historic comeback happened today in the tournament. I got home and watched the heroics on ESPN...Unbelievable!
Deleted member 346957
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11th anniversary today. The best comeback I've ever witnessed.
If available, can anybody post a link to the thread that day?
If available, can anybody post a link to the thread that day?
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
I was in second grade watching at my Grandma's house with my entire family minus my Dad and my Uncles who where at the the game. With five minutes left I remember crying uncontrollably and thinking this can't be how it ends, we are too good, this can't be how it ends. Needless to say I stopped crying and had one of the best days in my life.
Side note: Since there were fifteen plus people huddled around a small T.V a lot of us were momentarily confused if that last shot by UA went in. Also, CBS cut to Cold Case way to quickly and we didn't get to see a lot of the celebration.
Side note: Since there were fifteen plus people huddled around a small T.V a lot of us were momentarily confused if that last shot by UA went in. Also, CBS cut to Cold Case way to quickly and we didn't get to see a lot of the celebration.
Illinidadd
Alum and Illini Dad
- Chicago
Just seeing this thread brought memories flooding back!
4 of us were there - My best friend since childhood, along with our wives whom we met at Illinois. In full gear and having the time of our lives. At around 4:00 left, two rows cleared out in front of us including, sadly, a few dads with about half a dozen young boys in Illini jerseys. The dads wanted to get out of the parking lot! Ha! Imagine what it was like listening to the comeback on the radio instead of seeing it unfold!
The sound was deafening, even dwarfing that during the anthem at Blackhawks playoff games. The sound was the 6th man of the century.
Everybody in the stands, the halls, the parking lot, and even on I-90 were best of friends that night! High fives, hugs, Loyalty, honking, lights flashing, blasting postgame radios....unreal. I will never ever forget that night.
I Bomb
Stylin' and Profilin'
Whatever radio station was covering the game in Champaign that night - about 20 minutes after the game had ended they were broadcasting no commentary but just the sound of the crowd. The game was over but the place sounded like no one had left, and there was just this massive ILL - INI chant going on for several minutes and it was seriously chilling. Awesome show of force by Illini fans.
I actually wrote my college essay about this game.
I was 8, watching the game at my grandparents house in Tucson. My grandpa was a HUGE Wildcat fan. When they made their run he was teasing me relentlessly. I started crying and left the room when Dee, my fav player, lost the ball out of bounds. My parents were both big supporters of always showing good sportsmanship whether you win or lose, and told me to go back in the living room and watch the end. My step mom also said, "it ain't over til it's over". Boy am I glad I went back into that room. I-L-L!
I was 8, watching the game at my grandparents house in Tucson. My grandpa was a HUGE Wildcat fan. When they made their run he was teasing me relentlessly. I started crying and left the room when Dee, my fav player, lost the ball out of bounds. My parents were both big supporters of always showing good sportsmanship whether you win or lose, and told me to go back in the living room and watch the end. My step mom also said, "it ain't over til it's over". Boy am I glad I went back into that room. I-L-L!
Thanks for posting that video. I watched this and then the louisville regional semifinal as well. I loved the 05 team, but the 89 team was hands down my favorite team. So many good players, swarming defense, dunks galore... The best assemblage of in-state players in u of I history:
Nick Anderson. Lottery pick NBA
Kenny Battle. 1st round NBA
Lowell Hamilton
Stephen Bardo. Fringe NBA
Kendall Gill lottery pick NBA
Marcus Liberty 2nd round NBA
Larry Smith
Ervin Small
.... What a team
JG needs to make a highlight video of this game and show to recruits. Really sell hard the all Illinois players and you're class is next to make it happen.
:usa:
Deleted member 19448
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For any that are too young to have seen the 89 team watch that 89 Illinois Syracuse regional final on YouTube. It was a freak show of athletic basketball skill on both sides.
Man, what an entirely different way the game was played. Look at that. Packing in 4 players to rebound offensively, and nary a jumpshot to be seen.
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
I was there with my 1982 classmate, Stu. When we were behind down the stretch, I told him we can still win this, before the great comeback started. When we came back, the seats were swaying and it was so loud, it was an unbelievable crowd. After the game, we ran into Marcus Liberty and gave him a high 5. Then had to go watch it again on tape, it was so amazing. Watched the prior game in person at Allstate arena as well, beating Bruce Pearl and his Milwaukee team for some revenge.