@joeblow166 dude serioulsly get a life. Uve been posting on this video for ages. Idk y u go so far out of your way to make an argument that no one except yourself cares about.
This game meant more to me than winning a championship. It embodies more than just a team, or even a sport, sports in general. If the game had just one flaw it would be that this game was way too Disney.
Just read the biography on Weber - totally forgot his mom passed away right before the Big Ten tourney. As if this video doesn't get me choked up already, that passage about her passing made me choke up more.
@joeblow166 Let me guess ur a Arizona FAG! Sorry ur Wildcats choked to our fighting Illini.... And when's the last time Arizona made the final four? .................... Da Bears!!!!! Let's not 4get da time The Arizona Cardinals Chocked against da Bears on Monday Night Football! The Besrs are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!!! Arizona ChokersClassic!!!!
Illinois was given a gift by the refs in this one. They didn't even deserve to make it to the finals, but once they did UNC gave them their proper comeuppance. No championship for these undeserving clowns in orange. Illini basketball hasn't sniffed the final four since.
@joeblow166 oh your only fuckin whinin cuz they did in fact go to the final four. They were the best team in the nation and you know it. quit yer bitchin already.
this would be considered the best comeback of all time in NCAA bball history if there was a last second shot involved. It has still gotta be top 5 though easily.
these two teams played before in the ncaa quaters i think...illinois got screwed by the refs hardcore a couple years before this..sweet sweet sweet revenge is sooo nice
And once again, this time through "mightymarg", Illinois fans reveal themselves to be complete hypocrites. They gladly ignore the half dozen fouls NOT called against Illinois in the waning minutes of the Arizona game, and then proceed to blubber about poor officiating in the championship against UNC. Classic stuff. However, the good lord properly saw fit to deny the Illini of '05 a championship, so all as well. Good. You deserved the disappointment!
why does everyone who talks about the championship game leave out how early james augustine fouled out? the refs ruined that game for illinois...otherwise the championship was ours. best game in history right here though.
at about 1:40, I had given up all hope, I had a huge knot in my throat, nearly about to cry.... ok maybe I shed a tear or two, lol. I felt so let down, my dad decided to change the channel he was so frustrated.... But me? I wasn't ready to quit yet, I went in my room and continued to watch the game in disbelief that they were pulling off this comeback. I kept telling my dad, "You might wanna turn this back on!" but he refused because he was convinced it wouldnt happen, he missed history, smh
I'll always remember this game while I bartended and I'm from Illinois but have family from Tucson. My dad was a huge wildcats fan, may he rest. But I'll always remember what he said. " we'll they aren't number one for nothing". Respect. Illini came back and won. The best NCAA game ever that I have seen. Or comeback I should say. But go wildcats too!
2005 Illinois basketball: runner ups to the NCAA champion North Carolina Tarheels. Nope, you can't be among the best teams of all time with that tagline. Even the 2005 NCCA Champion Tarheels aren't considered one of the best of all time. Some math. A = 2005 Illinois. B = 2005 UNC. C = one of the best teams of all time. A < B << C. Thus A << C, from which follows that the 2005 Ilini are much, much less (of a great time) than any of the true greatest of all time. Idiots.
@joeblow166 Lmao its funny cause this team shares the record for most wins in a single ncaa basketball season. Does that qualify to be known as one of the greatest teams ever? Yes it does but you are prolly too much of an arrogant prick to admit it
Any team that fails to win the championship is automatically disqualified from consideration as one of the best teams in history, unless perhaps they were undefeated right up until the championship game (which Illinois was not). Hell, even the 2007 New England Patriots are basically written off now simply because the NY Giants beat them in the Super Bowl. The 2005 Illinois team doesn't even have those qualifications, of being undefeated right until the last. Sorry, them's the facts chumps.
@joeblow166 Whether they're "written off" in your book and/or other people's books doesn't really matter kid, the simple fact is that this team had talent. Hell, Deron Williams is making a hell of a career for himself in the NBA, he's even made it on the U.S. Men's Basketball team. It sounds like you're an Arizona fan that's probably crying over the fact that this game is more recognized then the 97 Arizona team! This game was replayed on "NCCA'S GREATEST BASKETBALL GAMES EVER". Shove it kid.
@joeblow166 be a man and accept defeat. this illini team is not the greatest ever, but they are in the conversation of great teams of the last decade. its sad that you cant get over this loss and have to keep coming back instead of letting the illini fans celebrate one of the great all time comebacks. what the 1997 arizona team did was spectacular, but casual fans dont know about it. just suck up your pride and never come back to this video again.
This is one of the best comebacks ever in NCAA Tournament history! I saw this game live on TV and although I wanted Arizona to win I still gave them credit for their incredible performance. They may not have won the title but you don't see this kind of comeback in the NBA. Yes the Dallas Mavericks in this year's playoffs did do something like this against the Thunder and Heat but still the chances of that happening are so low. This just proves to never give up and always believe.
@joeblow166 Did you not see the comeback!?! If any team can comeback in that amount of time and win, i would consider them one of the best teams ever. They were not a "halfway decent team" either, they went undefeated in a tough Big Ten and non-conference games (such as #24 Gonzaga, and #1 Vanderbilt.) If you don't think that the 2005 Illinois team was one of the best ever, you are either jealous or you don't know anything about basketball.
The 2005 fightin' Illini. RUNNERS UP. Lol. Couldn't even win it all. Yet some of you Illinois homers contend that this was the best team of all time. What a joke. Sorry creeps, your team has to win it all to qualify. Now Arizona '97, there's a team worthy of consideration. Only team to beat three #1 seeds en route to an NCAA Tournament championship. Now THAT is special. Shove it Illini fans. Your team is forgotten except by you. Face the sad facts. Move on. It's therapeutic.
@joeblow166 Speaking as an "Illini homer" I can say I don't consider them the greatest team of all time, that honor probably goes to one of Wooden's UCLA teams, but they are worthy of an 'honorable mention,' if you will. There were a lot of loaded Duke teams that didn't win titles either. Should be an indicator of how difficult it is to win it all. I remember that damn '97 Arizona team of yours, too. They wrecked my bracket that year. I thought Kentucky would kill them, but they pulled it off.
As the announcers always say that the refs should "let the players play" and not call every little foul that occurs. This is just an example of that and if you haters really want to bring that up all the wildcats had to do on that last posession was drive and not take a prayer 3 down 1 with time.
Go Illini you were the best sports team I've ever witnessed closely in my life and you were so close to winning it all. Haters can't take away their place in my heart. ILL!
search top 50 college basketball teams of all time in google and go to the 7th result. this team is rated 32nd best of all time, and arizona isnt even mentioned. im sure other lists would have illinois highly rated also but this is one of the few lists i could find. 32nd even ties them with the fab five, and just behind 2007 florida. and really, ive never heard anyone on national networks talk about Arizona '97. sorry.
Arizona '97 is unmentioned? Wrong. Whenever the issue of beating #1 seeds in the tourney is brought up, Zona '97 is always mentioned because they beat 3 of them, the most in NCAA tournament history. This has been brought up quite often over the past 14 years during tournament time. Nobody mentions Illinois '05 except delusional Illini fans who have fooled themselves into thinking Illinois was the champ that year. Quite a sad lot you are.
@joeblow166 Were you born yesterday?? Are you new?? 2005 was one of Illinis best years, my favorite year for them, whether they won the championship or not. They broke so many records, man they broke a record for how many records they broke. They were #1 in the nation. They were an awesome team who worked hard every single second they were on that court. They accomplished a hell of alot more than Arizona did and for some reason you just cant admit that. You pissants have a long way to go
@joeblow166 oh and by the way at the end of this video it says "one of the most amazing games in illinois history" as illini celebrate their well deserved win. :)
by the way, this team is remembered much more than 1997 arizona. i have never heard anyone talk about them except on this video. just let it go, youre never going to win this game or your argument. arizona isnt even near teams that have been screwed over most by refs, look at the 200(2?) kings against the lakers. whining wont change the outcome of this game.
if arizona wanted this game anywhere near as much as illinois, they wouldve pulled it off. every time illinois played aggressive, arizona players fell away. either arizona was weak or scared, but either way illinois was the better team. only an idiot would say this team has been forgotten, they even talked about dwill being from this illinois team in nba 2k11. i find it hilarious that joeblow166 is still on this video. i have never seen a more bitter fan, and i doubt i ever will.
Dude, I remember watching this game, and when Frye hit that 3, my dad started changing the channel, but I told him they'd win, best basketball game ever
@ExtremeBaconismyname exact same thing happened to me except my dad just walked away for a minute and I called him back and told him they were going to win and they did!
For the people who mentioned the music in the background, I think its the same theme that's used at the end of the movie Inception, or at least very similar to it. Either way in either situation the epicness fits.
This year playing Duke in the Sweet16, when we were up by 14 with 5:01 to go, my roommate was yelling that it was pretty much a lock. I had to show them this. It's not always a lock with the cardiac cats. Arizona ended up closing the game tonight and winning by 16, but they haven't closed in the past.
Just a perfect game and season all the way to the final no matter win or lose...honestly. I get chills from this becuz I remember watching it all hahaha.
@Baxter2468x: Illinois '05 is essentially a forgotten team, except by Illinois fans (naturally) and Arizona fans who remember AZ getting ripped off by corrupt refs and their bookmaking concerns. The same Illinois fans who reveled in this illegitimate victory later cried and cried about the refs in the title game against UNC. That wasn't bad refereeing in the title game. It was justice! Illinois loses, thence automatically disqualifying themselves from being one of the best ever teams. Good!
ha just reading this Joe blow guy makes me wonder how people
can be so poorly misguided on
basketball unfortunately he is a bitter Arizona fan who although was a beneficiary of brutal reffing against the illini in a game which 4 players fouled complains about nothing whatsoever yay went on in this game. this 2005 team was better than any team in Arizona history far and away and is one of the greatest teams ever assembled in the modern era I don't know who taught you basketball but you obviously
@RobTheBernarddinosaur: Arizona were the ones ripped off. Illinois didn't even deserve to be in the finals in the first place. Fortunately, UNC and the great Sean May kicked the Illini in the face and denied them a title, thence condemning the 2005 Illinois squad to a mostly forgotten sector in the dustbin of NCAA history. They're not even one of the top 200 teams ever. Gotta win a title to even enter a serious conversation about that.
@joeblow166 WOW... I didn't realize that this was the only game in the history of sports that had bad/missed calls by officials. Don't forget that Illinois only lost 2 games that year by a combined total of 6 Points. They had 37 wins which tied the NCAA record for most in a season. And they beat 11 RANKED teams throughout the season. I don't know why you hate on the Illini, because they didn't blow a 15 Point lead in 4 minuets.
Deron Williams is a malcontent who whines after he disobeys his own coach, effectively orchestrating the resignation of one of the most respected coaches in the NBA, and then ultimately gets traded to the lousy New Jersey Nets. Yup, there's a real beloved winner there, that Deron Williams. Lol. He's got no cause to talk such critical jive. He hasn't won a thing either at the college or pro level, yet he acts like he does. Kind of like the Illinois fans. Deluded.
@joeblow166 LOL umad? Like anthony and lebron didn't do worse? No one can prove Sloan left because of Williams maybe he just tired of coaching. Deron is just a hot headed person like any other person. He wants to win and he probably wanted to do it his way because hes a born leader. Like show in this video. One game of arguing shouldnt determine if you should resign or not. Deron is still the best POINT GUARD in the NBA and I'm a bulls fan. Alot of people havent won in the pro level.
@joeblow166 damn and that had everything to do with his talent right? your not talkin about the issue at hand. your just talkin out ur ass in any way to make the team or he himself look bad.....if ur gonna say somethin talk about the games he played in. you cant sit here and tell me he has no talent or that he's no good. or at least he didnt in college and he proved that in the games. the man can hit a 3 like no other. if ur gonna debate with someone it usually works if u stay on topic
@Illini jockers. The fact is that nobody remembers the 2005 Illinois team except for a few bball historians, some Arizona fans who paid close attention to the referee shafting their team got in this game, and Illinois fans. Teams that don't win a championship are generally forgotten and immediately disqualified for entrance into the pool of "College Basketball's Greatest Teams." It's a sad, hard reality you meatheads need to face. Sure, they were a nice team for 1 year, but that's all.
A halfway decent team, that 2005 Illinois squad. No glory though. No entrance into the pantheon for them. You gotta win the big one and Sean May and his superior UNC basketball squad saw to it that the 2005 Illini team would be shrouded in the dustbin of history. Too bad.
@joeblow166 Lmao did you really just say that? "Halfway decent team". Look bud, I've been watching basketball for many years, definitely longer then a little punk like you lol. This was one of the greatest college teams I ever saw. Did they lose to UNC in the Championship? Sure, by 5 though, you make it seem they got destroyed, however, you forgot about there comeback in that game to! If Illinois had one more chance to play UNC with the same teams, they would win, I guarantee it.
@GOllumboy101 greatest college teams ever? ehhh I wouldnt put them in that conversation... I would say one of the best back courts I have ever seen. Luther head, was one of the coldesttt players I have seen. Throw in deron, a star... and dee was the glue. They had swaggg and every team they played knew it.
@GOllumboy101 Totally agree with you. Not to mention Sean May was given a little to much free reign that game while Augustine was called for a foul everytime he bumped into somebody. Great team.
@joeblow166 i dont care if they lost the last game or not. this team had the entire country runnin scared. they were number 1 in the nation and made to that status with ease. they lost that last battle cuz of the way the game was played. they were an awesome team, talent comin out of the wood work. i guarantee you any REAL illini fan will forever remember the year of 2005.
The bottom line for me is that this game defines the epitome of March Madness and why it's by far the best playoff format going in sports. Championship or not, this is one of the greatest college basketball teams we have ever have. Unbelievable heart and will in those kids.
That 3 by Luther Heat at 2:28...are you f'n kidding me?
Illinois simply had no answer for Sean May. They didn't have a true post presence, as good as they were. UNC dominated most of that game, as much as I hate them. The irony now though is that May has always been too fat and out of shape for the NBA since, while DWill is a top 10 player in the game.
The problem is, MRTOML1NSON, is that Illinois fans still maintain they were robbed by the refs in the finals against UNC! They don't seem satisfied with the explanation that the Illini just "melted down" in the presence of the mighty Sean May. No, they blubber about poor refereeing, despite being great beneficiaries of that very same thing against Arizona. This is why Illinois fans deserve to be hounded until the day they die.
Hilarious how this dude keeps deflecting and referencing 1997 and 2001 to feel better about this game. For fuck's sake, give it a rest with the ref card. Arizona melted down because they got far too conservative on offense down the stretch and were simply trying to hold on with plenty of time left.
GOVTinflames still believes that the refs screwed Illinois out of a championship. Yup, the refs just refused to call fouls on Sean May. That's the only reason why Illinois lost the title game. Gotta give it to those Illini fans. They're the biggest hypocrites on the planet. Still can't face the fact that the 2005 Illinois team now lives in the dustbin of history? Lol. Too back suckers. They ain't the '97 Arizona Wildcats, that's for sure.
americanpride2628 wrote: "Do the 2001 Wildcats hold a share of the record for most wins in a single season?"
Nobody cares about that stat, americanpride2628. It goes completely unmentioned and unheralded. The '97 Arizona Wildcats, the 1997 champion Arizona Wildcats, now there's a team that's still celebrated by all fans of college basketball. They're the only team to beat three number 1 seeds en route to a championship. Everybody remembers that. YOU = FAIL
@joeblow166 jesus christ! you come back after months of silence and youre STILL whining about how your pussy wildcats got screwed this game? once again, joe that blows, illinois was better that year.
i was at the bar with my wife and i was like fuck this we are leaving, then the comeback started and then they won, and the owner of the bar bought drinks for the whole night, glad i stayed...hahahaha....ILL INI
Illinois would never have been able to orchestrate their comeback without massive assistance from the referees. They were basically on their home court too. Illinois didn't even deserve to be in the finals that year, but at least UNC served them up a much deserved ass whooping. No title for Illinois. Heh heh heh...good! A forgotten team except for Illinois and Arizona fans. People don't care about championship game losers. If they did, the 2001 Arizona Wildcats would also be heralded.
Massive assistance from the refs? Give me a break. And since when is 5 points an ass whooping? 22 sounds more like an ass whoop. Does that number ring a bell? And to your last comment. Do the 2001 Wildcats hold a share of the record for most wins in a single season? Don't think so.
Funny how there are STILL people who cavalierly say that Arizona "kinda" got screwed by the refs, and then proceed to whine and moan about Illinois getting shafted against UNC in the finals. Idiots. Your own hypocrisy took a dump right on your nose and you still can't see or smell it.
As evidenced by my sn I was once a Wildcat fan and I was when this game happened even though I picked illinois to get to the final because I was in 3 money pools. I cried my eyes out after this game. I have been a KU fan for the past 3.5 years (that was my first favorite team back in 95-96) and I felt this pain yet again last year when we lost to No. Iowa although we didn't blow a 15-point lead.
the first time i cried over a sporting event was when the illini lost to north carolina in the 2005 national championship. i miss deron, dee, luther, james, roger and the others
Im an illini fan but i dont think the Illini will ever be REALLY good ever again with Bruce Weber coaching. He went far with Self's players, and he isnt that great of a recruiter, only 2 players on the current roster are out of state and he cant land the blue chips. They do have a solid team this year, but its not good enough to win the Big Ten or make the Elite Eight
How come everyone was dissing the Big Ten that year saying that the Big Ten wasn't a power conference and the Big Ten ended up with 2 teams in the Final Four. Screw ESPN
@Thedangerousduk I hope so b/c I'm living in Texas now and we need to spread the Illini love here. I wear my Illinois stuff loudly and proudly, and it would only get better if we rocked this year and I could brag on our Illini to my Texas coworkers! ;)
@beck23erz o man i really feel 4 u becuz of the illinois texas game! thats a shame! O well it was an OT loss early in the year to a very good team and we have looked really good. mccamey 4 player of the year!
@Thedangerousduk wrong. lol michigan was supposed to finish dead last by a mile and they finished ahead of the illini and got a higher seed in the tournament. GO BLUE!
@DaRenaissance You're welcome! I relive it many times, and this always reminds me of when I was a senior at U of I celebrating in the streets when they made it to the Final Four. I'll never forget that.
Just look at all the tough 3 pointers that the Illini made throughout this comeback. Some act like this game was handed to Illinois? No way. This wasnt the 2010 NBA Finals Game 7 4th Quarter that were talking about here with nothing but free throws. The Illini made 3 after 3 after 3 to send this game to overtime and then 3 after 3 in the overtime period to seal the game. Don't hate on one of the best comebacks in NCAA Tournament history.
The primary reason Illinois was able to come back and win this game was that they were the media darling team that year. As a result, the refs were predisposed to hand them the game, as they amply proved by failing to do their job in the final 5 minutes. Arizona deserves blame for their listless deer-in-the-headlights play, but they still were cheated on at least 3 or 4 calls. It was a joke. The good news is that Illinois FAILED to win a title, unlike, say, the '97 Arizona Wildcats! HAH & FU
@joeblow166. The primary reason that you are wrong is because you are a biased cry baby. The good news is that Illinois is twice the team that arizona is and will continue to beat them should they meet again soon. Pac10 was a joke last year and will be again this year. The Big10 on the other hand, well you know.. Enjoy choking on the sweat from the balls of all the teams above you.
@joeblow166 Lets look at your breakdown...now if that were true and Illinois was the "media darling" why did the "predisposed" refs not call the 9 offensive fouls on Sean May in the championship game and give the "medi darlings" as you call them the trophy. Simple the Big 10 champs and #1 team for some 23 weeks wasnt media darling enough to out-darling Roy Williams and his 28 years of service....and they still almost won.
And for the ARI fan bitching about supposed non-calls.....what were no doubt fouls in this comeback that weren't called? The only debatable one was the steal at mid-court by Deron/Dee, but again that was debatable at best. The only reason some people thought that was a no doubt foul was because Enberg was anticipating Illinois to foul, but they were clearly going for the steal first. Your team clearly got rattled. Ari shot 21 FT, ILL 15 for the game.
@joeblow166 dude serioulsly get a life. Uve been posting on this video for ages. Idk y u go so far out of your way to make an argument that no one except yourself cares about.
joker654654 4 weeks ago
i cried after watching this
tjauddhks 1 month ago 2
This game meant more to me than winning a championship. It embodies more than just a team, or even a sport, sports in general. If the game had just one flaw it would be that this game was way too Disney.
JacquelineNoa 1 month ago
everyone should start marking joeblow's comments as spam. by this point, that's all it is.
bball8994 1 month ago
Just read the biography on Weber - totally forgot his mom passed away right before the Big Ten tourney. As if this video doesn't get me choked up already, that passage about her passing made me choke up more.
What a great year - totally miss 2005.
bbo1283 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
@joeblow166 Let me guess ur a Arizona FAG! Sorry ur Wildcats choked to our fighting Illini.... And when's the last time Arizona made the final four? .................... Da Bears!!!!! Let's not 4get da time The Arizona Cardinals Chocked against da Bears on Monday Night Football! The Besrs are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!!! Arizona ChokersClassic!!!!
79beardown 2 months ago
Such an awesome and magical year for our Illini...i miss this team with a passion.
hookerdreamz 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
This has been flagged as spam show
Illinois was given a gift by the refs in this one. They didn't even deserve to make it to the finals, but once they did UNC gave them their proper comeuppance. No championship for these undeserving clowns in orange. Illini basketball hasn't sniffed the final four since.
joeblow166 2 months ago
@joeblow166 oh your only fuckin whinin cuz they did in fact go to the final four. They were the best team in the nation and you know it. quit yer bitchin already.
hookerdreamz 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
@joeblow166 shut the hell up
rommel1011 1 month ago
this is about my 15th time watching this, i still get chills.
sjxc22 2 months ago in playlist Liked videos
this would be considered the best comeback of all time in NCAA bball history if there was a last second shot involved. It has still gotta be top 5 though easily.
styzek1 2 months ago
This team could beat the 72-10 Bulls.
reign80 2 months ago
When I saw Deron Williams make that shot I knew he was going to the NBA. Goosbumps and Nostalgia
swimblas 3 months ago
This video makes me wanna go out and work on my game !!
skyindawgg55 3 months ago
spine chills
ILLINUT 4 months ago
these two teams played before in the ncaa quaters i think...illinois got screwed by the refs hardcore a couple years before this..sweet sweet sweet revenge is sooo nice
finalman25 4 months ago
And once again, this time through "mightymarg", Illinois fans reveal themselves to be complete hypocrites. They gladly ignore the half dozen fouls NOT called against Illinois in the waning minutes of the Arizona game, and then proceed to blubber about poor officiating in the championship against UNC. Classic stuff. However, the good lord properly saw fit to deny the Illini of '05 a championship, so all as well. Good. You deserved the disappointment!
joeblow166 4 months ago
@joeblow166 you've seriously been following everyones comments for over 6 months?
nddons09 4 months ago in playlist NickNastyish's Favorited Videos
why does everyone who talks about the championship game leave out how early james augustine fouled out? the refs ruined that game for illinois...otherwise the championship was ours. best game in history right here though.
mightymarg 4 months ago
at about 1:40, I had given up all hope, I had a huge knot in my throat, nearly about to cry.... ok maybe I shed a tear or two, lol. I felt so let down, my dad decided to change the channel he was so frustrated.... But me? I wasn't ready to quit yet, I went in my room and continued to watch the game in disbelief that they were pulling off this comeback. I kept telling my dad, "You might wanna turn this back on!" but he refused because he was convinced it wouldnt happen, he missed history, smh
joeschroeder 5 months ago
I'll always remember this game while I bartended and I'm from Illinois but have family from Tucson. My dad was a huge wildcats fan, may he rest. But I'll always remember what he said. " we'll they aren't number one for nothing". Respect. Illini came back and won. The best NCAA game ever that I have seen. Or comeback I should say. But go wildcats too!
Chumpster1981 5 months ago
I also remember watching this game...:( so very fun to watch. Too bad the Tar Heels were the winners.
starwars910 5 months ago
Dee Brown ftw :( miss him.
starwars910 5 months ago
How about one of the greatest teams never to win a championship?
melrodas 5 months ago
2005 Illinois basketball: runner ups to the NCAA champion North Carolina Tarheels. Nope, you can't be among the best teams of all time with that tagline. Even the 2005 NCCA Champion Tarheels aren't considered one of the best of all time. Some math. A = 2005 Illinois. B = 2005 UNC. C = one of the best teams of all time. A < B << C. Thus A << C, from which follows that the 2005 Ilini are much, much less (of a great time) than any of the true greatest of all time. Idiots.
joeblow166 5 months ago
@joeblow166 Lmao its funny cause this team shares the record for most wins in a single ncaa basketball season. Does that qualify to be known as one of the greatest teams ever? Yes it does but you are prolly too much of an arrogant prick to admit it
Kolsonbm 6 months ago
illini!
scoreboard24 6 months ago
deron williams: best point guard in college, now the best point guard in the nba today
indianslimshady1 6 months ago
did that deron williams guy ever go to the nba?...lol
TheBsheep 7 months ago
Any team that fails to win the championship is automatically disqualified from consideration as one of the best teams in history, unless perhaps they were undefeated right up until the championship game (which Illinois was not). Hell, even the 2007 New England Patriots are basically written off now simply because the NY Giants beat them in the Super Bowl. The 2005 Illinois team doesn't even have those qualifications, of being undefeated right until the last. Sorry, them's the facts chumps.
joeblow166 7 months ago
@joeblow166 Whether they're "written off" in your book and/or other people's books doesn't really matter kid, the simple fact is that this team had talent. Hell, Deron Williams is making a hell of a career for himself in the NBA, he's even made it on the U.S. Men's Basketball team. It sounds like you're an Arizona fan that's probably crying over the fact that this game is more recognized then the 97 Arizona team! This game was replayed on "NCCA'S GREATEST BASKETBALL GAMES EVER". Shove it kid.
GOllumboy101 7 months ago
@joeblow166 be a man and accept defeat. this illini team is not the greatest ever, but they are in the conversation of great teams of the last decade. its sad that you cant get over this loss and have to keep coming back instead of letting the illini fans celebrate one of the great all time comebacks. what the 1997 arizona team did was spectacular, but casual fans dont know about it. just suck up your pride and never come back to this video again.
bball8994 6 months ago
This is one of the best comebacks ever in NCAA Tournament history! I saw this game live on TV and although I wanted Arizona to win I still gave them credit for their incredible performance. They may not have won the title but you don't see this kind of comeback in the NBA. Yes the Dallas Mavericks in this year's playoffs did do something like this against the Thunder and Heat but still the chances of that happening are so low. This just proves to never give up and always believe.
lakerskid2013 7 months ago
@joeblow166 Did you not see the comeback!?! If any team can comeback in that amount of time and win, i would consider them one of the best teams ever. They were not a "halfway decent team" either, they went undefeated in a tough Big Ten and non-conference games (such as #24 Gonzaga, and #1 Vanderbilt.) If you don't think that the 2005 Illinois team was one of the best ever, you are either jealous or you don't know anything about basketball.
mramazinglyamazing 7 months ago
The 2005 fightin' Illini. RUNNERS UP. Lol. Couldn't even win it all. Yet some of you Illinois homers contend that this was the best team of all time. What a joke. Sorry creeps, your team has to win it all to qualify. Now Arizona '97, there's a team worthy of consideration. Only team to beat three #1 seeds en route to an NCAA Tournament championship. Now THAT is special. Shove it Illini fans. Your team is forgotten except by you. Face the sad facts. Move on. It's therapeutic.
joeblow166 7 months ago
@joeblow166 Speaking as an "Illini homer" I can say I don't consider them the greatest team of all time, that honor probably goes to one of Wooden's UCLA teams, but they are worthy of an 'honorable mention,' if you will. There were a lot of loaded Duke teams that didn't win titles either. Should be an indicator of how difficult it is to win it all. I remember that damn '97 Arizona team of yours, too. They wrecked my bracket that year. I thought Kentucky would kill them, but they pulled it off.
rokarules 6 months ago
As the announcers always say that the refs should "let the players play" and not call every little foul that occurs. This is just an example of that and if you haters really want to bring that up all the wildcats had to do on that last posession was drive and not take a prayer 3 down 1 with time.
Go Illini you were the best sports team I've ever witnessed closely in my life and you were so close to winning it all. Haters can't take away their place in my heart. ILL!
illinicubs11 8 months ago
The best 3 point shooting team of all time...
GOllumboy101 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
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dilsharaakrshani 8 months ago
2 more things:
1. according to the espn/sagarin all time rankings, illinois basketball is the 6th greatest program of all time.
2.just watched the sportscenter top ten of the greatest postseason comebacks of all time in any sport. this game was #9.
just goes to show that it's a "forgotten" program
bball8994 8 months ago
search top 50 college basketball teams of all time in google and go to the 7th result. this team is rated 32nd best of all time, and arizona isnt even mentioned. im sure other lists would have illinois highly rated also but this is one of the few lists i could find. 32nd even ties them with the fab five, and just behind 2007 florida. and really, ive never heard anyone on national networks talk about Arizona '97. sorry.
bball8994 8 months ago
Arizona '97 is unmentioned? Wrong. Whenever the issue of beating #1 seeds in the tourney is brought up, Zona '97 is always mentioned because they beat 3 of them, the most in NCAA tournament history. This has been brought up quite often over the past 14 years during tournament time. Nobody mentions Illinois '05 except delusional Illini fans who have fooled themselves into thinking Illinois was the champ that year. Quite a sad lot you are.
joeblow166 8 months ago
lol @joeblow166
bball8994 8 months ago
@joeblow166 Were you born yesterday?? Are you new?? 2005 was one of Illinis best years, my favorite year for them, whether they won the championship or not. They broke so many records, man they broke a record for how many records they broke. They were #1 in the nation. They were an awesome team who worked hard every single second they were on that court. They accomplished a hell of alot more than Arizona did and for some reason you just cant admit that. You pissants have a long way to go
hookerdreamz 8 months ago
@joeblow166 oh and by the way at the end of this video it says "one of the most amazing games in illinois history" as illini celebrate their well deserved win. :)
hookerdreamz 8 months ago
who's the announcer?
hyphylike237 9 months ago
by the way, this team is remembered much more than 1997 arizona. i have never heard anyone talk about them except on this video. just let it go, youre never going to win this game or your argument. arizona isnt even near teams that have been screwed over most by refs, look at the 200(2?) kings against the lakers. whining wont change the outcome of this game.
bball8994 9 months ago
if arizona wanted this game anywhere near as much as illinois, they wouldve pulled it off. every time illinois played aggressive, arizona players fell away. either arizona was weak or scared, but either way illinois was the better team. only an idiot would say this team has been forgotten, they even talked about dwill being from this illinois team in nba 2k11. i find it hilarious that joeblow166 is still on this video. i have never seen a more bitter fan, and i doubt i ever will.
bball8994 9 months ago
hot cheerleader at the end...
ImSoOffended 9 months ago
One of the best, if not the best team, in ILLINI histroy! Hopefully Illinois will have another team like this VERY soon!
bmeyer31 9 months ago
This was one of the most memorable games I have watched in a long time. It just goes to show that it is never over until the clock says "ZERO"
thaboss1988 9 months ago
One of the greatest games in NCAA history. Baffling, amazing and just spectacular. Never saw anything like this before or since.
sbarrmed 10 months ago 13
Dude, I remember watching this game, and when Frye hit that 3, my dad started changing the channel, but I told him they'd win, best basketball game ever
ExtremeBaconismyname 10 months ago 2
@ExtremeBaconismyname exact same thing happened to me except my dad just walked away for a minute and I called him back and told him they were going to win and they did!
illinicubs11 8 months ago
2nd grade i remember this night 7 years later
coolioboyrules 10 months ago
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MegaZaid24 10 months ago
For the people who mentioned the music in the background, I think its the same theme that's used at the end of the movie Inception, or at least very similar to it. Either way in either situation the epicness fits.
MegaZaid24 10 months ago
God I miss this Illinois team..
pmercer96 10 months ago 19
In my opinion the best comeback in College Basketball down 15 with 4 min to go in the elite eight thats pretty hard to beat!
prhitter52 10 months ago 2
Happy 6 years of the greatest game in Fighting Illini history!
3/26/05 ~ Greatest comeback of all, Deron Williams showed to millions that he is the nation's best.
BMBender129 10 months ago 2
"this is not a balanced offense" "Luther Head for threeee!" gotta love announcers
With head and williams on your team.. you dont need to run an offense. throw in dee.. unfair
dmorris41 10 months ago
This year playing Duke in the Sweet16, when we were up by 14 with 5:01 to go, my roommate was yelling that it was pretty much a lock. I had to show them this. It's not always a lock with the cardiac cats. Arizona ended up closing the game tonight and winning by 16, but they haven't closed in the past.
tmarthal 10 months ago
Moving pick violation at 2:56. Bad call. But still a great comeback.
akasuper6 10 months ago
Moving pick violation at 2:56. Bad call.
akasuper6 10 months ago
one of the best basketball games ever
king14k2002 10 months ago
Pure heartbreak.
CavemanAAC 10 months ago
Read the Communist Manifesto,
(Equal obligation of all to work in industrial armies [8th pt. of communist manifesto]) GOOGLE the others, because they are just as devastating.
"Proletarians of all countries, unite!" - Karl Marx & Engel's Manifesto of the Communist Party,1848, at Chp. 9.
watch?v=uD-h25evW3g
:
Workers of the World Unite isn't just a slogan anymore" -Andy Stern
watch?v=WzG0xpkjWrA
:
Allen West 2012
Angellicationify 10 months ago
Hey you think you could send me the audio file?
SouthSideIrish89 10 months ago
this video gives me the chills every time
mleske4 10 months ago
@mleske4 Word.
LlamaYip 10 months ago
By the way...one hell of a job on the editing and music choice. You couldn't have picked better.
JTH0507 10 months ago 2
Look at Jack Ingram. Not only does he bat the ball from Frye, he sets the pick that free's Williams for the 3.
JTH0507 10 months ago
Just a perfect game and season all the way to the final no matter win or lose...honestly. I get chills from this becuz I remember watching it all hahaha.
warreng686 10 months ago
I remember turning off the TV when they got down by 15. I will always regret that.
sportsnerd999 10 months ago
@Baxter2468x: Illinois '05 is essentially a forgotten team, except by Illinois fans (naturally) and Arizona fans who remember AZ getting ripped off by corrupt refs and their bookmaking concerns. The same Illinois fans who reveled in this illegitimate victory later cried and cried about the refs in the title game against UNC. That wasn't bad refereeing in the title game. It was justice! Illinois loses, thence automatically disqualifying themselves from being one of the best ever teams. Good!
joeblow166 10 months ago
whats that song in the backround? EPIC
sam30568 10 months ago
ha just reading this Joe blow guy makes me wonder how people
can be so poorly misguided on
basketball unfortunately he is a bitter Arizona fan who although was a beneficiary of brutal reffing against the illini in a game which 4 players fouled complains about nothing whatsoever yay went on in this game. this 2005 team was better than any team in Arizona history far and away and is one of the greatest teams ever assembled in the modern era I don't know who taught you basketball but you obviously
Baxter2468x 10 months ago
@RobTheBernarddinosaur: Arizona were the ones ripped off. Illinois didn't even deserve to be in the finals in the first place. Fortunately, UNC and the great Sean May kicked the Illini in the face and denied them a title, thence condemning the 2005 Illinois squad to a mostly forgotten sector in the dustbin of NCAA history. They're not even one of the top 200 teams ever. Gotta win a title to even enter a serious conversation about that.
joeblow166 10 months ago
@joeblow166 WOW... I didn't realize that this was the only game in the history of sports that had bad/missed calls by officials. Don't forget that Illinois only lost 2 games that year by a combined total of 6 Points. They had 37 wins which tied the NCAA record for most in a season. And they beat 11 RANKED teams throughout the season. I don't know why you hate on the Illini, because they didn't blow a 15 Point lead in 4 minuets.
ibballin29 10 months ago
I so remember this game. I am an Illini fan and couldn't imagine them coming back. One of the best games I have ever seen.
RodThaBod 10 months ago
I remember watching this game when I was 14. Proud to say I'm now a member of the Orange Crush this year.
zdazzle14 10 months ago
Saw This! BEST TEAM EVER! GO ILLINI!!!
CloneTrooper09 10 months ago
illinois got cheated by sean may that year. Fuck north carolina.
RobTheBernardinosaur 11 months ago 2
Deron Williams is a malcontent who whines after he disobeys his own coach, effectively orchestrating the resignation of one of the most respected coaches in the NBA, and then ultimately gets traded to the lousy New Jersey Nets. Yup, there's a real beloved winner there, that Deron Williams. Lol. He's got no cause to talk such critical jive. He hasn't won a thing either at the college or pro level, yet he acts like he does. Kind of like the Illinois fans. Deluded.
joeblow166 11 months ago
@joeblow166 LOL umad? Like anthony and lebron didn't do worse? No one can prove Sloan left because of Williams maybe he just tired of coaching. Deron is just a hot headed person like any other person. He wants to win and he probably wanted to do it his way because hes a born leader. Like show in this video. One game of arguing shouldnt determine if you should resign or not. Deron is still the best POINT GUARD in the NBA and I'm a bulls fan. Alot of people havent won in the pro level.
RobTheBernardinosaur 11 months ago
@joeblow166 damn and that had everything to do with his talent right? your not talkin about the issue at hand. your just talkin out ur ass in any way to make the team or he himself look bad.....if ur gonna say somethin talk about the games he played in. you cant sit here and tell me he has no talent or that he's no good. or at least he didnt in college and he proved that in the games. the man can hit a 3 like no other. if ur gonna debate with someone it usually works if u stay on topic
hookerdreamz 10 months ago
One of the best edited videos I've seen on youtube. Amazing. I get chills everytime I watch this. Incredible job with this video
LlamaYip 11 months ago 16
deron williams baby!!
WuTheBeast3 11 months ago
@Illini jockers. The fact is that nobody remembers the 2005 Illinois team except for a few bball historians, some Arizona fans who paid close attention to the referee shafting their team got in this game, and Illinois fans. Teams that don't win a championship are generally forgotten and immediately disqualified for entrance into the pool of "College Basketball's Greatest Teams." It's a sad, hard reality you meatheads need to face. Sure, they were a nice team for 1 year, but that's all.
joeblow166 11 months ago
@joeblow166 Even worse for you is no one remembers the 2005 Arizona team at all.
nmullins20 10 months ago
man...i remembr watching this:( so sad
Still die hard arizona fan. bear down. and we win the top 10 now wassupp go arizona
soadfan333 11 months ago
what is the song name?
iOLY32 11 months ago
I don't give a shit how bad they are this year! I'll always love my Illini!
LightButDark575 11 months ago 2
Best team ever
MurphDawg014 11 months ago
r u insane? we've beaten maryland north carolina wisconsin michigan state.. uhh we're getting in the tournament dumbass
butchvign1991 11 months ago
im srry im a die hard illinois fan but this year theres no tournament. maybe next year :(
TheTemplar321 11 months ago
A halfway decent team, that 2005 Illinois squad. No glory though. No entrance into the pantheon for them. You gotta win the big one and Sean May and his superior UNC basketball squad saw to it that the 2005 Illini team would be shrouded in the dustbin of history. Too bad.
joeblow166 11 months ago
@joeblow166 Lmao did you really just say that? "Halfway decent team". Look bud, I've been watching basketball for many years, definitely longer then a little punk like you lol. This was one of the greatest college teams I ever saw. Did they lose to UNC in the Championship? Sure, by 5 though, you make it seem they got destroyed, however, you forgot about there comeback in that game to! If Illinois had one more chance to play UNC with the same teams, they would win, I guarantee it.
GOllumboy101 11 months ago 18
@GOllumboy101 ..I - L - L
hookerdreamz 11 months ago
@GOllumboy101 greatest college teams ever? ehhh I wouldnt put them in that conversation... I would say one of the best back courts I have ever seen. Luther head, was one of the coldesttt players I have seen. Throw in deron, a star... and dee was the glue. They had swaggg and every team they played knew it.
dmorris41 10 months ago
@GOllumboy101 Totally agree with you. Not to mention Sean May was given a little to much free reign that game while Augustine was called for a foul everytime he bumped into somebody. Great team.
kyleandrewmatuszewsk 9 months ago
@GOllumboy101 exactly.......finally someone with some sense who knows wtf they are talkin about
hookerdreamz 8 months ago
@joeblow166 i dont care if they lost the last game or not. this team had the entire country runnin scared. they were number 1 in the nation and made to that status with ease. they lost that last battle cuz of the way the game was played. they were an awesome team, talent comin out of the wood work. i guarantee you any REAL illini fan will forever remember the year of 2005.
hookerdreamz 11 months ago
i think luthers 3 point gave us da momentum then dee browns steal
TheTemplar321 11 months ago
god every1 on that was great we will be atleast #1 or 2 in the net 2 years maybe a championship lets hope so
TheTemplar321 11 months ago
I will never forget this game. Easily one of the best comebacks in tournament history. Still get chills when Williams hits that three.
xkrizzlex1 11 months ago
Head*
MRT0ML1NS0N 11 months ago
Lead*
MRT0ML1NS0N 11 months ago
The bottom line for me is that this game defines the epitome of March Madness and why it's by far the best playoff format going in sports. Championship or not, this is one of the greatest college basketball teams we have ever have. Unbelievable heart and will in those kids.
That 3 by Luther Heat at 2:28...are you f'n kidding me?
MRT0ML1NS0N 11 months ago
Illinois simply had no answer for Sean May. They didn't have a true post presence, as good as they were. UNC dominated most of that game, as much as I hate them. The irony now though is that May has always been too fat and out of shape for the NBA since, while DWill is a top 10 player in the game.
MRT0ML1NS0N 11 months ago
The problem is, MRTOML1NSON, is that Illinois fans still maintain they were robbed by the refs in the finals against UNC! They don't seem satisfied with the explanation that the Illini just "melted down" in the presence of the mighty Sean May. No, they blubber about poor refereeing, despite being great beneficiaries of that very same thing against Arizona. This is why Illinois fans deserve to be hounded until the day they die.
joeblow166 1 year ago
Hilarious how this dude keeps deflecting and referencing 1997 and 2001 to feel better about this game. For fuck's sake, give it a rest with the ref card. Arizona melted down because they got far too conservative on offense down the stretch and were simply trying to hold on with plenty of time left.
MRT0ML1NS0N 1 year ago
GOVTinflames still believes that the refs screwed Illinois out of a championship. Yup, the refs just refused to call fouls on Sean May. That's the only reason why Illinois lost the title game. Gotta give it to those Illini fans. They're the biggest hypocrites on the planet. Still can't face the fact that the 2005 Illinois team now lives in the dustbin of history? Lol. Too back suckers. They ain't the '97 Arizona Wildcats, that's for sure.
joeblow166 1 year ago
@joeblow166
You're right. '05 Illinois is better than the '97 Wildcats (and every other season in Arizona basketball history.)
yankeesallday28 1 year ago
i just felt a litghtning bolt on the tip of my penis..
stfuonher 1 year ago
@stfuonher you might want to get that checked out :p
AlexHaza 1 year ago
americanpride2628 wrote: "Do the 2001 Wildcats hold a share of the record for most wins in a single season?"
Nobody cares about that stat, americanpride2628. It goes completely unmentioned and unheralded. The '97 Arizona Wildcats, the 1997 champion Arizona Wildcats, now there's a team that's still celebrated by all fans of college basketball. They're the only team to beat three number 1 seeds en route to a championship. Everybody remembers that. YOU = FAIL
joeblow166 1 year ago
@joeblow166 jesus christ! you come back after months of silence and youre STILL whining about how your pussy wildcats got screwed this game? once again, joe that blows, illinois was better that year.
GOVTinflames 1 year ago
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joeblow166 1 year ago
i was at the bar with my wife and i was like fuck this we are leaving, then the comeback started and then they won, and the owner of the bar bought drinks for the whole night, glad i stayed...hahahaha....ILL INI
fghtillini6 1 year ago
Illinois would never have been able to orchestrate their comeback without massive assistance from the referees. They were basically on their home court too. Illinois didn't even deserve to be in the finals that year, but at least UNC served them up a much deserved ass whooping. No title for Illinois. Heh heh heh...good! A forgotten team except for Illinois and Arizona fans. People don't care about championship game losers. If they did, the 2001 Arizona Wildcats would also be heralded.
joeblow166 1 year ago
@joeblow166
Massive assistance from the refs? Give me a break. And since when is 5 points an ass whooping? 22 sounds more like an ass whoop. Does that number ring a bell? And to your last comment. Do the 2001 Wildcats hold a share of the record for most wins in a single season? Don't think so.
americanpride2628 1 year ago
Funny how there are STILL people who cavalierly say that Arizona "kinda" got screwed by the refs, and then proceed to whine and moan about Illinois getting shafted against UNC in the finals. Idiots. Your own hypocrisy took a dump right on your nose and you still can't see or smell it.
joeblow166 1 year ago
As evidenced by my sn I was once a Wildcat fan and I was when this game happened even though I picked illinois to get to the final because I was in 3 money pools. I cried my eyes out after this game. I have been a KU fan for the past 3.5 years (that was my first favorite team back in 95-96) and I felt this pain yet again last year when we lost to No. Iowa although we didn't blow a 15-point lead.
wildcat3415 1 year ago
Comment removed
wildcat3415 1 year ago
refs kinda screwed arizona at the end, but illinois was beast that year and they got screwed in the championship. sean may sucks too
hyphylike237 1 year ago
Great year for the Big Ten. MSU and Illinois in the Final Four and Wisconsin in the Elite Eight.
bzurvalec 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
good shit. i remember watching this. i cried several times throughout the game
illiniman0709 1 year ago
good shit. i remember watching this. i cried several times throughout the game
illiniman0709 1 year ago
ya... the wildcats didn't get hacked on every turnover or anything like that.
darkpiece 1 year ago
I just got the chills watching that.
isortaloveeyou 1 year ago
i was there. inspired.
MstraightupG 1 year ago
the first time i cried over a sporting event was when the illini lost to north carolina in the 2005 national championship. i miss deron, dee, luther, james, roger and the others
DaChicagoBear 1 year ago
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Thesoccerdood 1 year ago
i always smile when i see deron hit the game tier just amazing
cardinals1993 1 year ago
Greatest comeback I've ever witnessed in a plethora of March Madness memories, bar none.
MRT0ML1NS0N 1 year ago
Im an illini fan but i dont think the Illini will ever be REALLY good ever again with Bruce Weber coaching. He went far with Self's players, and he isnt that great of a recruiter, only 2 players on the current roster are out of state and he cant land the blue chips. They do have a solid team this year, but its not good enough to win the Big Ten or make the Elite Eight
Tomko401 1 year ago
such an amazing game, and great video. only thing it's missing is Billy Murray's face
UIUCPat 1 year ago
0:56 What a doosh.
WarMachine938 1 year ago
probably the best comeback ive ever seen with that little time left in those circumstances
ILLINI4LIFE1 1 year ago
wow, incredible, still get chills watching this...
BDiddy106 1 year ago
This is my favorite moment in sports. I remember exactly where I was.
dangertrevor 1 year ago
one of the greatest games i have ever seen
TheDubc2132 1 year ago
what an incredible game. keep coming back to this vid. also, note the two screens that free deron to tie it up...amazing play by everyone
mightymarg 1 year ago
i just went to the north carolina game (at illinois im an illinois fan)and it was great.payback!!!!go illini!
beastbossss1857 1 year ago
How come everyone was dissing the Big Ten that year saying that the Big Ten wasn't a power conference and the Big Ten ended up with 2 teams in the Final Four. Screw ESPN
ridegreen78 1 year ago
Up yours, Lute Olsen. Choke on it and like it.
bravesman1983 1 year ago
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mulder1021 1 year ago
ILL....
mgslawyer 1 year ago 2
@mgslawyer INI!!!
Geeterman1 1 year ago
@mgslawyer INI!!!!!
beck23erz 1 year ago
@mgslawyer INI!!!!!
tylerdurden72184 1 year ago
BEST NCAA GAME EVER!!!
JPMRIR2 1 year ago
Illinois will be amazing this year and for the next couple years
Thedangerousduk 1 year ago 2
@Thedangerousduk i cant agree wit u more look at our recruting class were LOADED we got macame tisdale paul LOADED
TheTemplar321 1 year ago
@TheTemplar321 yeah i think it will almost be like 05 hopefully #1 in a year or 2
Thedangerousduk 1 year ago
@Thedangerousduk I hope so b/c I'm living in Texas now and we need to spread the Illini love here. I wear my Illinois stuff loudly and proudly, and it would only get better if we rocked this year and I could brag on our Illini to my Texas coworkers! ;)
beck23erz 1 year ago
@beck23erz Nice keep it up and if you have a facebook join me and one of my friends group called duke sucks, Illinois is where it's at.
Thedangerousduk 1 year ago
@beck23erz o man i really feel 4 u becuz of the illinois texas game! thats a shame! O well it was an OT loss early in the year to a very good team and we have looked really good. mccamey 4 player of the year!
ILLINI4LIFE1 1 year ago
@beck23erz i hated that texas beat illinois this year. that mustve sucked down there in texas
GOVTinflames 1 year ago
@Thedangerousduk spoke too soon
fitzcannon 1 year ago
@Thedangerousduk wrong. lol michigan was supposed to finish dead last by a mile and they finished ahead of the illini and got a higher seed in the tournament. GO BLUE!
ph4455 10 months ago
@Thedangerousduk oops
omfg0rz1 10 months ago
thank you for helping me relive this moment.
DaRenaissance 1 year ago 7
@DaRenaissance You're welcome! I relive it many times, and this always reminds me of when I was a senior at U of I celebrating in the streets when they made it to the Final Four. I'll never forget that.
beck23erz 1 year ago
@beck23erz Hell yea! Win Lose Or Tie I'm an Illini Fan Till I Die! WE BLEED ORANGE N BLUE BABY!
hookerdreamz 11 months ago
this was the greatest game ive ever seen good shit maken this video i miss this squad
mudo1186 1 year ago
Just look at all the tough 3 pointers that the Illini made throughout this comeback. Some act like this game was handed to Illinois? No way. This wasnt the 2010 NBA Finals Game 7 4th Quarter that were talking about here with nothing but free throws. The Illini made 3 after 3 after 3 to send this game to overtime and then 3 after 3 in the overtime period to seal the game. Don't hate on one of the best comebacks in NCAA Tournament history.
ultimatederon 1 year ago 2
Q: What do you call Superman blowing his arch enemy Lex?
A: Luther Head.
joeblow166 1 year ago
The primary reason Illinois was able to come back and win this game was that they were the media darling team that year. As a result, the refs were predisposed to hand them the game, as they amply proved by failing to do their job in the final 5 minutes. Arizona deserves blame for their listless deer-in-the-headlights play, but they still were cheated on at least 3 or 4 calls. It was a joke. The good news is that Illinois FAILED to win a title, unlike, say, the '97 Arizona Wildcats! HAH & FU
joeblow166 1 year ago
@joeblow166. The primary reason that you are wrong is because you are a biased cry baby. The good news is that Illinois is twice the team that arizona is and will continue to beat them should they meet again soon. Pac10 was a joke last year and will be again this year. The Big10 on the other hand, well you know.. Enjoy choking on the sweat from the balls of all the teams above you.
nmullins20 1 year ago
@joeblow166 Lets look at your breakdown...now if that were true and Illinois was the "media darling" why did the "predisposed" refs not call the 9 offensive fouls on Sean May in the championship game and give the "medi darlings" as you call them the trophy. Simple the Big 10 champs and #1 team for some 23 weeks wasnt media darling enough to out-darling Roy Williams and his 28 years of service....and they still almost won.
PS) Arizona plays in the Pac 10...nuff said.
mulder1021 1 year ago
This was Zona's game! they haven't been the same since! awesome game nonetheless.
zino3486 1 year ago
this was illinois best game of all time
Zeeino558 1 year ago
Deron just wouldn't let them lose.
And for the ARI fan bitching about supposed non-calls.....what were no doubt fouls in this comeback that weren't called? The only debatable one was the steal at mid-court by Deron/Dee, but again that was debatable at best. The only reason some people thought that was a no doubt foul was because Enberg was anticipating Illinois to foul, but they were clearly going for the steal first. Your team clearly got rattled. Ari shot 21 FT, ILL 15 for the game.
bulls1 1 year ago