As a Cats fan, I hate seeing this game. but at the same time hats off to illinois, this was not only one of the best comebacks but greatest games in ncaa history.
tonight's game against ohio state got me thinking about how this game was still the best illini game ever. gives me the chills. i can't believe i was there live when i was 13. ILL-INI
I still get great chills every time I watch this video. The music was perfect for this video. I have to hold back the tears.
I have to admit, I stopped watching this game at the 5 minute mark. I was such a massive Illini fan this year, that I simply couldn't stomach the inevitable defeat that it looked like we were heading towards. I never saw the end of the game.
Of all things Illinois sports on any level, this is perhaps a top 3 or five moment of all time.
this makes me cry. that was a special team. Too bad refs were horrible in the title game. Augustine plays 6 minutes while Sean May used the "chicken wing" move all game long...
a couple years before 05 in like 01 or something ILLINOIS GOT SCREWED BY THE REFS IN A QUATERFINAL OR 2nd round matchup between illinois and arizona so they deserved this comeback on them rightfully so
I saw this game live back in the day and I was so mad that Arizona had blown the lead and lost the game. It's still a great comeback though and I still like the video because it proves to "never give up." I have that kind of attitude and this had helped me get that attitude.
and i will never forget it too..will never forget my friends mom screamin at us for makin so much noise..will never forget my friends dad kept leaving the house will never forget my dad tellin me illinois lost not knowing will never forget how my dads friend left this game early..it was a game and season to remember
championship or not this was maybe the best 5 college bball players to evr play together and this game was insane i was in 5th or 6th grade i think and i remember me and all my friends just goin insane wen williams hit tht 3
Man I had Arizona in my final four that year and would have easily won it all, but I still love you Arizona and this was one of the greatest games I've watched. It kind of hurts watching this though.
wow ok... anyone see Illinois get beat by Penn State last night. By UIC? Maybe "suck" is the wrong word... "streaky" is better.... or how about "not very good." They might get to the NCAA tourney but I highly doubt anything better than a 2nd round loss. No way they beat OSU or Purdue for the Big10 championship. They should be better than this, and we should expect more from our ILLINI!!!
oof, deron williams was good BEFORE this game, but this was really his coming out party, I remember watching this in a hotel on vacation. I left when they were down by 13 soon to be 15, said "fuck it, it's over", came back 10 min later to get something, and was riveted the rest of the time. Good. God. What a game. oh and Fuck UNC
I was the mascot for Arizona this game, and it was unfortunately the last time I ever put the suit on.
While I must give credit to Illinois for hitting the big shots at the end, I wish the refs could have called the game a little tighter at the end - we were getting mugged every in-bounds play... something that was cleverly excluded from this tape.
To Mega Uncle Remus - those 5 people are Arizona fans who remember that this was the darkest day in Arizona basketball history.
Great Illinois team. Just think: Deron Williams wasn't even the star. Too bad they ran into UNC in the finals. There was no beating that Tar Heel team.
Video gives me chills everytime i watch it. What a team. What a game. I will forever remember when and where i was during this game as every Illini die hard does im sure.
I witnessed something bigger than a game when I watched it then and when I watch now.......it is about the human spirit...the drive to believe. Don't even pay attention to who the teams are....look at the beauty of "will" to win. Amazing...not ever seen like we could wish.
I realize the shot is not a game winning buzzer beater, but think about how heavy a sense of hopelessness there was in the fans and team only 3 minutes earlier. Just look at 1:38. In their pursuit of college basketball history, they had never faced a deficit of that kind before.
I have to say that this is one of the best teams in college basketball history. Who cares about a 5 point loss in the last game? Think about the 37 wins they had.
I can say without a doubt that 2:50-3:01 is one of the greatest moments in not just Illinois history, not just March Madness history, not just college basketball history, but sports history. When you factor in everything this team overcame during this game and everything that was at stake, you have to figure that this is one of the most dramatic shots in the history of basketball.
Funny Arizona fans bitching about calls. REMEMBER 2001 you idiots? How about that robbery against Illinois. 57 foul shots....remember. And how about blame your team for lazy passes down the stretch here and not being strong with the ball. What fouls are you people talking about? Be specific. If you watch clearly, Dee Brown stripped the ball cleanly, Enberg was anticipating the foul in the broadcast, there wasn't one. ARIZONA out shot Illinois out the foul line in this game by quite a bit.
Everyone seems to complain about the lack of fouls being called against Illinois in the final minutes. There is a DVD called a season to remember, or something along those lines that show the steal by Brown was 100% clean to cut the lead to 3. Just because IL was swatting for the ball doesn't necessarily mean they were fouling.
I'm a Washington Husky and don't care too much for Zona, but they were screwed in this game. What amuses me more was the next year when Washington bounced Illinois from the tourney the crybaby Illini fans complaining that they were actually CALLED for those type of fouls.
Aww you're just upset because Illinois kicked arizonas ass in the last 4 minutes. Arizona felt too comfotable and payed for it. But I guess that's what you get for messin with the Chief!
the only thing that bothered me about this finish is the lack of foul calls against illinois...they practically mugged the arizona guards that last couple minutes....fan of neither team and it was a great game..but cmon they should have blown the whistle on a couple of those plays
This was the beginning of Lute Olson's end. He never came close to coaching to the level he had before, after this game.
This is actually the lowest point in Arizona basketball history. Taking nothing away from Illinois, they were a great team, but a Lute Olson coached team should never relinquished that lead.
This was the era of Arizona basketball when Lute would roll out the balls and let the Cats play pickup style on offense and ridiculous zone on defense.
They played basically a home game because they earned it. When u are in a power conference and u only lose one game up to that point ur rewarded with tournament games as close to home as possible. It wasnt unfair they earned it
I remember watching this game thinking there's no way Arizona's gonna lose....This has to be one of the best games ever in college basketball. However, I think it was extremely unfair how Illinois basically played a home game. Because Im sure I'm not the only one that thinks Arizona probably would have won that game if it wasn't in Illinois.
@joeblow166 actually joeblow, unc did end up holding the title. but jeez during the last 5 minutes north carolina got every foul call possible, including a ridiculous charge be sean may that wouldve made the game turn out differently. so, unc and the refs shared the trophy after the game
I love the guy doing punching the air on the Illinois bench at the 3:01 mark! Tell you what, I would have been doing exactly the same thing if I was him!!!! What a game!
AND WHEN I MEANT HE WAS JOEBLOW`66 (which for one you are a fucktard) I lived in Tucson. Arizona sucks for one anyway. But yeah.. Tucson loves the Wildcats, .. and I do too.. But not then hehe
My dad is a Wildcats fan.. I was gonna go there but decided to go to where I wanted to . I rooted for the Illini, and he is ALWAYS pissed hearing this. But this was a great game for Illinois. Arizona is always good as fuck.. I'm still pissed that they didn't go all the way. . But for the friends i had going there back then. Fun times.. Thats all it is.. And laughing in my dads face
SkullBrotha2, you're another hypocritical, illiterate Illinois fan with a selective memory. So poor Illinois was screwed in the finals by the refs, eh? But the refs played no role in getting the orange past Arizona in the elite 8? Uh huh. Classic hypocrisy. You guys can't be taken seriously based on your illogical reasoning. But, at least Arizona has an NCAA title, unlike your sorry team, so suck on that. Mwah ha ha ha hah.....
@joeblow166 You're a fucking bitch,, so suck on that.,, well my dick.,.. i'd like to give you my cell but I don't many calling me.. Can I get your facebook by any chance? you fukcing tard???? Can I ?
this comeback was amazing. im a die hard illini fan too which made it eveen better. dee brown, derron williams, and luther head r the ones who shot over 40% btw. they got screwed in the national championship so the '05 north carolina team was definetly not ass good as this team
best basketball game i have watched. period. granted, my illini shouldnt have had to come back by that much, but it was an incredible, incredible game.
That Arizona still had a chance to win the game on the last posession is pretty remarkable considering how devastating it must have felt to have lost that lead.
Despite one's thoughts on whether there were questionable calls, or the lack of accomplishments of one of the teams, there is absolutely no denying this was one of the most exciting and greatest ncaa tournament games of all time. Who doesnt love a seemingly insurmountable comeback?
I really wouldn't blame the loss of this game on one possible bad call when Head and Brown stole the ball, which they had been doing all season. When AZ was up by 15 with 4 minutes left there is no reason that they should have lost. Even if there would have been 3 questionable calls you can't blame your the refs when AZ was winning by that much with little time left and being as good as they were.
Agreed. Yes, it was a bad call. You can't expect the refs to catch all of them, but the fact of the matter is, Arizona WAS up 15 points with four minutes to go in the game. They got lazy and Illinois took advantage.
When I said moving to.. I meant like 7 years ago.. Heh. I've heard the whole 97 thing and all. Give it a rest. Its not the same team, it won't be for a while. I remember living there and them getting killded by Kansas. And two years ago SIU loosing to Kansas by 2 points. I mean all college kids are different.
Moving to Tucson , my dad has lived there and loves the Wildcats. I mean its cute.. But he got mad when the Illini beat them,, I laugh. Its just College kids playing. Its all good. But this WAS an ass whoopin to the Wildcats! It was.. But what sadder is in Tucson there is nothing else. .. I'm not gonna compare Chicago to Tucson , nor the whole state cause c'mon lol Az sucks. I mean your football team was originally from Chicago. THE CARDINALS! if you don't remember. GO ILLINI!
I was born in Chicago but a die hard U of A fan, my only NCAA basketball team. Sure we have the title in '97, but we CHOKED in that game. Should have won title that year, and in 2001. With Olson gone and Sean Miller (from Xavier) as the new coach, maybe we can shake this decade's habit of great UA teams falling short in the tournament.
I'm livin' in Raleigh now! But I think it would've been a better game in so many ways if Arizona went instead of Illinois. Lute Olson, Roy Williams?! OH BOY!
I meant tapes that you put in the VCR, but okay I'll look at it. My mind was made up before you even thought of sending it. Felton is better! He even looks better!
What a bunch of losers, the Illini fans, that they have to deify a team that couldn't even win a championship. Good thing Arizona fans aren't in that unfortunate position. At least they can celebrate a bonafide champ like the '97 cats. Too bad Illinois, too bad. Mwah ha ha ha ha.
Are you at all salty about losing a game that would have put you in the final four? Second rate team, second rate results. Can't wait to see you again soon:)
ya, we are on the rise you have won one.. that doesn't make you a better team now. Your response isn't slightly relevant to mine besides your opening line which you don't even address. Sit down shut up, we'll likely have our first before you are even a contender for your second. It is no surprise to me that you refer back to your championship because you certainly can't brag about this years AZ team.
These UA fans are way too excited about a paltry Sweet 16 team this year. Wait til the Final Four at least before you start hyping your team's tourney run, cuz UA is in for a hurting this weekend.
As a Cats fan, I hate seeing this game. but at the same time hats off to illinois, this was not only one of the best comebacks but greatest games in ncaa history.
KingRamVids 1 day ago
Dude I'm like crying now to see that dwill has come so far. He's the best omg I love him :')
arodrock1 2 weeks ago
tonight's game against ohio state got me thinking about how this game was still the best illini game ever. gives me the chills. i can't believe i was there live when i was 13. ILL-INI
ktswift12 2 weeks ago
illini were the best that year. the best. the trio of dee brown deron williams and luther head was unbeatable.
xxRACINGAMERICAxx 2 weeks ago
@rdkirley Better than anyone else
fightingillini25 2 weeks ago
A very good team, but not the best that year.
rdkirley 4 weeks ago
I still get great chills every time I watch this video. The music was perfect for this video. I have to hold back the tears.
I have to admit, I stopped watching this game at the 5 minute mark. I was such a massive Illini fan this year, that I simply couldn't stomach the inevitable defeat that it looked like we were heading towards. I never saw the end of the game.
Of all things Illinois sports on any level, this is perhaps a top 3 or five moment of all time.
DigDeez 1 month ago
this makes me cry. that was a special team. Too bad refs were horrible in the title game. Augustine plays 6 minutes while Sean May used the "chicken wing" move all game long...
kooj22 1 month ago
i remember Williams Killin it lol i was in 4th grade
iTheeCLiPz 1 month ago
D Will is sickness
DakotaBack 2 months ago
This game will ALWAYS give me the chills!
BMBender129 4 months ago 14
I remember watching this game and with the Illini down 15 with 4 minutes left, I thought it was over. Oh how I was wrong..
MagicBryantSportsBox 4 months ago 2
a couple years before 05 in like 01 or something ILLINOIS GOT SCREWED BY THE REFS IN A QUATERFINAL OR 2nd round matchup between illinois and arizona so they deserved this comeback on them rightfully so
finalman25 5 months ago
Such a well-made video. Nice job
stephl349 5 months ago
i cant wait til basketball season
parkerjay100 5 months ago
too bad they couldn't win it all...haha. They basically played in there own arena,that might have helped them come back.ARIZONA BRO!
howsveto 6 months ago
i was there!! i was in 3rd grade
jc50jck 6 months ago
For the eight people that dislike this all I have to say it...Fuck you!
illinifan112 6 months ago
Such a great comeback. I was watching this game thinking "They can't come back from this can they?"
tombrokaw3 6 months ago
I still get chills to this day seeing this comeback. As a die hard Illinois fan, it practically brought tears of joy witnessing this game.
oehsnumba 6 months ago
I saw this game live back in the day and I was so mad that Arizona had blown the lead and lost the game. It's still a great comeback though and I still like the video because it proves to "never give up." I have that kind of attitude and this had helped me get that attitude.
lakerskid2013 7 months ago
nothing else to say but ONIONS
chineseboy3124 8 months ago
@stevewags13 with the help of the refs.
WhiteStripesFann 10 months ago
If Jesus made Illinois, then God made the Tar Heels since they beat them for the title that year....
GO HEELS!
stevewags13 10 months ago
"Illinois going to the Final Four!" I miss those words.
WhiteStripesFann 10 months ago
whats the song?
RSB0171717 10 months ago
@RSB0171717 Journey to the Line by Hans Zimmer
KhanIndustries 6 months ago
and i will never forget it too..will never forget my friends mom screamin at us for makin so much noise..will never forget my friends dad kept leaving the house will never forget my dad tellin me illinois lost not knowing will never forget how my dads friend left this game early..it was a game and season to remember
nieminono31 10 months ago
championship or not this was maybe the best 5 college bball players to evr play together and this game was insane i was in 5th or 6th grade i think and i remember me and all my friends just goin insane wen williams hit tht 3
nieminono31 10 months ago
Watching this just gave me goosebumps
gee1gee2gee3 10 months ago 5
Do we need this gay (not that there's anything wrong with that!) music slowdown bullshit? Spare me.
pew2u 10 months ago
Do we need this gay music slowdown bullshit? Spare me.
pew2u 10 months ago
Big Ten Basketball... lol
BlitzinLB27 10 months ago
Man I had Arizona in my final four that year and would have easily won it all, but I still love you Arizona and this was one of the greatest games I've watched. It kind of hurts watching this though.
JuliusCaesarThompson 10 months ago
what music is this?
lhs07wlvrines 11 months ago
best sporting event i've ever witnessed. this game was OVER.
milkandmeat 11 months ago
this was the greatest team of all time NOT to win the championship :(
jioman33 11 months ago 3
This was either the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history, or the greatest meltdown of all time.
redringofdeath3000 1 year ago
@redringofdeath3000 depending on what team you're a fan of
milkandmeat 11 months ago
why don't you add this music to the highlights of the national title game?
go Heels.
adamwilliams4405 1 year ago
why don't you add this music to the highlights of the national title game?
go Heels.
adamwilliams4405 1 year ago
anyone know where i can get a poster of deron williams 3 pt shot that tied it up????
adubx04 1 year ago
wow ok... anyone see Illinois get beat by Penn State last night. By UIC? Maybe "suck" is the wrong word... "streaky" is better.... or how about "not very good." They might get to the NCAA tourney but I highly doubt anything better than a 2nd round loss. No way they beat OSU or Purdue for the Big10 championship. They should be better than this, and we should expect more from our ILLINI!!!
pwillits80 1 year ago
i remmber watching this...im a die hard uofa fan...almost cried after
soadfan333 1 year ago
pwillits80 your so stupid they are 20th how the hell do they suck?
illinifan112 1 year ago
@illinifan112 im guessing that idiot doesnt follow college basketball. the illini have a really good team this year
JakeB731 1 year ago
since Illinois sucks this year (again) I'm just going to watch this every time they play. BW better get to the Sweet 16 or better!
pwillits80 1 year ago
@pwillits80 actually illinois is ranked 16th and they have a good chance at winning the big ten conference this year
jgold894 1 year ago
I like the song, but I can't remember what it is from. Is it from a movie?
danmanhess 1 year ago
@danmanhess kinda reminds me of Time by Hans Zimmer in Inception
WingedAngel9 1 year ago
oof, deron williams was good BEFORE this game, but this was really his coming out party, I remember watching this in a hotel on vacation. I left when they were down by 13 soon to be 15, said "fuck it, it's over", came back 10 min later to get something, and was riveted the rest of the time. Good. God. What a game. oh and Fuck UNC
steveryans2 1 year ago
I was the mascot for Arizona this game, and it was unfortunately the last time I ever put the suit on.
While I must give credit to Illinois for hitting the big shots at the end, I wish the refs could have called the game a little tighter at the end - we were getting mugged every in-bounds play... something that was cleverly excluded from this tape.
To Mega Uncle Remus - those 5 people are Arizona fans who remember that this was the darkest day in Arizona basketball history.
wallyfox13 1 year ago
Great Illinois team. Just think: Deron Williams wasn't even the star. Too bad they ran into UNC in the finals. There was no beating that Tar Heel team.
cschnei08 1 year ago
who the hell are those 5 people...
MegaUncleRemus 1 year ago
Video gives me chills everytime i watch it. What a team. What a game. I will forever remember when and where i was during this game as every Illini die hard does im sure.
hathcock32 1 year ago
one of the best college basketball games in history, so sad for arizona
OptimusPrime571 1 year ago
derron williams getting buck wild....i thought i was watching illinois vs arizona not a dwill highlight tape...oh wait...
jwegener14 1 year ago
@jwegener14 i love you jake
Anthenat3 1 year ago
I witnessed something bigger than a game when I watched it then and when I watch now.......it is about the human spirit...the drive to believe. Don't even pay attention to who the teams are....look at the beauty of "will" to win. Amazing...not ever seen like we could wish.
dacmiller 1 year ago
I realize the shot is not a game winning buzzer beater, but think about how heavy a sense of hopelessness there was in the fans and team only 3 minutes earlier. Just look at 1:38. In their pursuit of college basketball history, they had never faced a deficit of that kind before.
I have to say that this is one of the best teams in college basketball history. Who cares about a 5 point loss in the last game? Think about the 37 wins they had.
KingOfBBQ 1 year ago
Louisville fan here, I just had to comment.
I can say without a doubt that 2:50-3:01 is one of the greatest moments in not just Illinois history, not just March Madness history, not just college basketball history, but sports history. When you factor in everything this team overcame during this game and everything that was at stake, you have to figure that this is one of the most dramatic shots in the history of basketball.
KingOfBBQ 1 year ago
i turned it off with 4 mins left and for some reason i turned it back on and saw williams hit the three to tie... go illini!!!!
chihawks31 1 year ago
this was on my birthday in 2005 i remember wishing with 4 min left for a win... best present ever
21fightingillini 1 year ago
Funny Arizona fans bitching about calls. REMEMBER 2001 you idiots? How about that robbery against Illinois. 57 foul shots....remember. And how about blame your team for lazy passes down the stretch here and not being strong with the ball. What fouls are you people talking about? Be specific. If you watch clearly, Dee Brown stripped the ball cleanly, Enberg was anticipating the foul in the broadcast, there wasn't one. ARIZONA out shot Illinois out the foul line in this game by quite a bit.
bulls1 1 year ago
still brings tears to my eyes....one of the most amazing games I've ever seen...
dacmiller 1 year ago 2
i still havent watch highlights of the unc vs illinois game since they lost.....its 2 painful
juliancharliewilson 1 year ago
This game was probably my favorite game in college sports history
timmyboy316 1 year ago
Lived and died by the three
curtispainter12 1 year ago
At least Ilinois done something @BroncoTedKoz
watson450 1 year ago
Everyone seems to complain about the lack of fouls being called against Illinois in the final minutes. There is a DVD called a season to remember, or something along those lines that show the steal by Brown was 100% clean to cut the lead to 3. Just because IL was swatting for the ball doesn't necessarily mean they were fouling.
ashwshaw2000 1 year ago
Best game EVER! that was so much fun to watch and be a part of when we won it was pandamonium in champaign!
DrPepper022 1 year ago
I'm a Washington Husky and don't care too much for Zona, but they were screwed in this game. What amuses me more was the next year when Washington bounced Illinois from the tourney the crybaby Illini fans complaining that they were actually CALLED for those type of fouls.
BroncoTedKoz 1 year ago
I had a couple tears come down after watching that. Greatest Illini team ever
nalopez1227 1 year ago
@nalopez1227 A couple of tears watching them cheat their way back? Thats a laugh
BroncoTedKoz 1 year ago
there's no need to think about the UNC game while watching this one. this stands alone as one of the happiest moments of my life...
senordavidamor 1 year ago
Aww you're just upset because Illinois kicked arizonas ass in the last 4 minutes. Arizona felt too comfotable and payed for it. But I guess that's what you get for messin with the Chief!
pgehm 1 year ago
fuck this game, and fuck all of you who think illinois won it legit without the refs. eat a dick and die.
TheWatsonGreen 1 year ago
Yea, they came back from a 15 point deficit in under 4 minutes. They're kinda good. If Jesus made a basketball team, Illinois would be it.
smartbob777 1 year ago 29
@smartbob777 and if god were to make a team it would be UNC GO HEELS!
AugustPSI 11 months ago
even as a buckeye fan this game never gets old
BuckGuy27 1 year ago
Epic. Go Chambana!
Jacqueline33704 1 year ago
greatest comeback of all time hands down
l800gregory 1 year ago
the only thing that bothered me about this finish is the lack of foul calls against illinois...they practically mugged the arizona guards that last couple minutes....fan of neither team and it was a great game..but cmon they should have blown the whistle on a couple of those plays
driver8train 1 year ago
if this team played in this years tournament it wouldnt ever be close. duke and butler would both lose by 15
joshmote91 1 year ago 2
This was the beginning of Lute Olson's end. He never came close to coaching to the level he had before, after this game.
This is actually the lowest point in Arizona basketball history. Taking nothing away from Illinois, they were a great team, but a Lute Olson coached team should never relinquished that lead.
This was the era of Arizona basketball when Lute would roll out the balls and let the Cats play pickup style on offense and ridiculous zone on defense.
bigfag 1 year ago
They played basically a home game because they earned it. When u are in a power conference and u only lose one game up to that point ur rewarded with tournament games as close to home as possible. It wasnt unfair they earned it
bringit234 1 year ago
I remember watching this game thinking there's no way Arizona's gonna lose....This has to be one of the best games ever in college basketball. However, I think it was extremely unfair how Illinois basically played a home game. Because Im sure I'm not the only one that thinks Arizona probably would have won that game if it wasn't in Illinois.
reamallday 1 year ago
3/26/05 ~ Greatest comeback of all, Deron Williams showed to millions that he is the nation's best.
Happy 5 Years of the greatest game in Fighting Illini history!
BMBender129 1 year ago
This is one of the Best plays the NCAA has produced, I enjoyed watching. Nice Video!
Bolgamesports 1 year ago
Gonna go throw up now after seeing this again.
nflnick21 1 year ago
I really couldn't believe Zona choked. They had a good team.
lilrp76 1 year ago
And now ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the 2005 NCAA champions, your very pwn.........North Carolina Tarheels!!!! Mwah ha ha ha
joeblow166 1 year ago
too bad noone on that team made it far such as Deron Williams and Luther Head
nukum08080808 1 year ago
@joeblow166 actually joeblow, unc did end up holding the title. but jeez during the last 5 minutes north carolina got every foul call possible, including a ridiculous charge be sean may that wouldve made the game turn out differently. so, unc and the refs shared the trophy after the game
schwam41 1 year ago
i would be so fucking pumped if this was like one of my games
Flarongs 1 year ago
This video gets me every time. Go Illini!
ericxc1 1 year ago
I love the guy doing punching the air on the Illinois bench at the 3:01 mark! Tell you what, I would have been doing exactly the same thing if I was him!!!! What a game!
iraicebe 1 year ago
AND WHEN I MEANT HE WAS JOEBLOW`66 (which for one you are a fucktard) I lived in Tucson. Arizona sucks for one anyway. But yeah.. Tucson loves the Wildcats, .. and I do too.. But not then hehe
Chumpster1981 1 year ago
My dad is a Wildcats fan.. I was gonna go there but decided to go to where I wanted to . I rooted for the Illini, and he is ALWAYS pissed hearing this. But this was a great game for Illinois. Arizona is always good as fuck.. I'm still pissed that they didn't go all the way. . But for the friends i had going there back then. Fun times.. Thats all it is.. And laughing in my dads face
Chumpster1981 1 year ago
I'm a UK fan but this is pretty damn awesome.
kkkaaakkkaaa999888 1 year ago
i get goosebumps every time i watch this... saw it live on tv :) wish i coulda been there
baseballkid077 1 year ago
SkullBrotha2, you're another hypocritical, illiterate Illinois fan with a selective memory. So poor Illinois was screwed in the finals by the refs, eh? But the refs played no role in getting the orange past Arizona in the elite 8? Uh huh. Classic hypocrisy. You guys can't be taken seriously based on your illogical reasoning. But, at least Arizona has an NCAA title, unlike your sorry team, so suck on that. Mwah ha ha ha hah.....
joeblow166 1 year ago
lol stop being so bitter.. it's ok if you're still a little upset about the game :)
baseballkid077 1 year ago
@joeblow166 You're a fucking bitch,, so suck on that.,, well my dick.,.. i'd like to give you my cell but I don't many calling me.. Can I get your facebook by any chance? you fukcing tard???? Can I ?
Chumpster1981 1 year ago
@joeblow166 did that mean anything or was that simply diarrhea spewing from your mouth?
MrBluediamond1 1 year ago
the funny part..... Dee Brown lead this team
How well did he do in the NBA?
Deron Williams was on this team lol
TheCarpenter90 2 years ago
@TheCarpenter90 no way, this was Deron's team
joshmote91 2 years ago
@joshmote91 it was he was drafted in 05........
TheCarpenter90 2 years ago
he isnt in the nba he went to another country to play basketball.
badbreven 1 year ago
Deron Williams really? Check the Utah Jazz roster actually check the All star line up
TheCarpenter90 1 year ago
No Dee Brown he went to Isreal to play basketball.
badbreven 1 year ago
he did because he wasnt good enough to play in the Nba.........
TheCarpenter90 1 year ago
well he did get drafted by the Jazz but he just wanted to play Isreal he probably wud of been gud enough
badbreven 1 year ago
dee plays in turkey now
joshmote91 1 year ago
i looked him up on wikipedia hes in isreal im pretty sure but not 100%
badbreven 1 year ago
i remember this..i cried. go u of a.
soadfan333 2 years ago
this comeback was amazing. im a die hard illini fan too which made it eveen better. dee brown, derron williams, and luther head r the ones who shot over 40% btw. they got screwed in the national championship so the '05 north carolina team was definetly not ass good as this team
SkullBrotha2 2 years ago
illini had I think 3 guys that could shoot over 40% from 3.. I knew it was possible, cant count a team out like that
marshall2411 2 years ago
best basketball game i have watched. period. granted, my illini shouldnt have had to come back by that much, but it was an incredible, incredible game.
sgsiwek 2 years ago
Gay music.
amartin7889 2 years ago
best comeback of all time...and it wasn't even on ESPN's top games of the decade???
xrobx22 2 years ago
@xrobx22 : Forgotten gem, maybe the best tournament game of the decade. I'd put this one above the George Mason/UCONN game, personally.
uselessidguy331 2 years ago
@xrobx22 it was number 2 actually
nabaseball4 2 years ago
the best comebaK eVa!!
nba2ksports09 2 years ago
great comeback and choice of music
TheSilarpast 2 years ago
lol@ blaming the refs -illnois was just the better team thats all.
Spoken 2 years ago
That Arizona still had a chance to win the game on the last posession is pretty remarkable considering how devastating it must have felt to have lost that lead.
WillowSpringsNSJ 2 years ago
Despite one's thoughts on whether there were questionable calls, or the lack of accomplishments of one of the teams, there is absolutely no denying this was one of the most exciting and greatest ncaa tournament games of all time. Who doesnt love a seemingly insurmountable comeback?
calebshearrow 2 years ago
I really wouldn't blame the loss of this game on one possible bad call when Head and Brown stole the ball, which they had been doing all season. When AZ was up by 15 with 4 minutes left there is no reason that they should have lost. Even if there would have been 3 questionable calls you can't blame your the refs when AZ was winning by that much with little time left and being as good as they were.
thatswhattheyis 2 years ago
Agreed. Yes, it was a bad call. You can't expect the refs to catch all of them, but the fact of the matter is, Arizona WAS up 15 points with four minutes to go in the game. They got lazy and Illinois took advantage.
L23Fareye 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Dick Endberg with one of the biggest understatements..."they DON'T call the foul"
sportsguy2442 2 years ago
@sportsguy2442 Basketball is a physical game. quit bein a BITCH!
rockchalkO7 1 year ago
goosebumps...this game got me into college basketball forreal
TheblackdahliaFan 2 years ago
who called this game with jay bilas?
cubzfan1989 2 years ago
does any one know where the background music come from..
I love it...
pacian01 2 years ago
One of the best comebacks I've ever seen in such an important game.
wild05fan 2 years ago
this still gives me goosebumps... dang. Syracuse's 6 OT game against Georgetown was ALMOST as good of a comeback as this. I L L I N I BABY!
rench4607 2 years ago
that was cuse-uconn
nutterperl 2 years ago
One of the greatest games in the past decade.
ultimategamer78 2 years ago
what song is this
thafix82 2 years ago
When I said moving to.. I meant like 7 years ago.. Heh. I've heard the whole 97 thing and all. Give it a rest. Its not the same team, it won't be for a while. I remember living there and them getting killded by Kansas. And two years ago SIU loosing to Kansas by 2 points. I mean all college kids are different.
Chumpster1981 2 years ago
Moving to Tucson , my dad has lived there and loves the Wildcats. I mean its cute.. But he got mad when the Illini beat them,, I laugh. Its just College kids playing. Its all good. But this WAS an ass whoopin to the Wildcats! It was.. But what sadder is in Tucson there is nothing else. .. I'm not gonna compare Chicago to Tucson , nor the whole state cause c'mon lol Az sucks. I mean your football team was originally from Chicago. THE CARDINALS! if you don't remember. GO ILLINI!
Chumpster1981 2 years ago
Champagne Illinois is so far from Chicago in both distance and lifestyle you idiot.
kj06150 2 years ago
This video made me tear up. I was watching with my high school basketball team when this happened. That Illini team was so great.
SiLenT366 2 years ago
I was born in Chicago but a die hard U of A fan, my only NCAA basketball team. Sure we have the title in '97, but we CHOKED in that game. Should have won title that year, and in 2001. With Olson gone and Sean Miller (from Xavier) as the new coach, maybe we can shake this decade's habit of great UA teams falling short in the tournament.
viscious311 2 years ago
UNC wouldve beaten AZ by +10 in the title game
triplecrown89 2 years ago
Nah, I don't think so!....Rashad Mccants and Reymond Felton would've had a difficult time guarding Salim Stoudamire outside.
Jakeivia 2 years ago
im completely unbiased, i live in tucson/born in raleigh and im saying north carolina wouldve won by +10..they were better at every position
triplecrown89 2 years ago
I'm livin' in Raleigh now! But I think it would've been a better game in so many ways if Arizona went instead of Illinois. Lute Olson, Roy Williams?! OH BOY!
Jakeivia 2 years ago
i guess....but both teams had no answer for marvin williams which is what makes me think UNC wouldve beaten everyone else
triplecrown89 2 years ago
I see. Would you by any chance have this game or any other college games on tape?
Jakeivia 2 years ago
na cant say i do...i only record unc games...i usually see the arizona games in person...did see the title game in person this year tho
triplecrown89 2 years ago
Nah, but I got it on tape. Lawson is amazing! Do you have any tapes of Raymond Felton besides the 2005 championship?
Jakeivia 2 years ago
my unc basketball video should have sum felton clips....UNCtarheelvids has a sick felton mix of him and lawson
triplecrown89 2 years ago
I meant tapes that you put in the VCR, but okay I'll look at it. My mind was made up before you even thought of sending it. Felton is better! He even looks better!
Jakeivia 2 years ago
the only reason the illini lost the championship is cuz augustine couldnt handle may
joshmote91 1 year ago
illnois fans arent losers they got heart and passion for illnois trust me
masterlovemachine24 2 years ago
What a bunch of losers, the Illini fans, that they have to deify a team that couldn't even win a championship. Good thing Arizona fans aren't in that unfortunate position. At least they can celebrate a bonafide champ like the '97 cats. Too bad Illinois, too bad. Mwah ha ha ha ha.
joeblow166 2 years ago
Are you at all salty about losing a game that would have put you in the final four? Second rate team, second rate results. Can't wait to see you again soon:)
HamasBrothers 2 years ago
Ya, unlike your Arizona Wildcats we are on the rise. You a mid level talent
nmullins20 2 years ago
fuck you
Mo85304 2 years ago
on the rise?
have you ever won a national championship?
NOPE.
wld10cts 2 years ago
ya, we are on the rise you have won one.. that doesn't make you a better team now. Your response isn't slightly relevant to mine besides your opening line which you don't even address. Sit down shut up, we'll likely have our first before you are even a contender for your second. It is no surprise to me that you refer back to your championship because you certainly can't brag about this years AZ team.
nmullins20 2 years ago
brandon jennings didnt even wanna go there. he even knows that Arizona is a joke.
joshmote91 1 year ago
this was not "one of the most" amazing games in Illini history
This was "THE MOST" amazing game in Illini Hisotry. Football, basketball, baseball, whatever sport you want, this one takes the cake.
I will miss this team for as long as i live.
Garatau 2 years ago 2
stilll gives me shivers!
kaykay568 2 years ago
Track is "Journey to the Line" by Hans Zimmer from Oscar nominated "The Thin Red Line" soundtrack.
cmusgrave78 2 years ago
name of the track?
dcor3 2 years ago
Illinois is the Fucking best team in the history of man kind they are awesome
jumpingjackslol 2 years ago
What is the song being played? It reminds me of the one used in Any Given Sunday when Willie Beamin goes in for the final touchdown.
illiniwek05 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Gay background music. If this was meant to be used for montages...... fuck you.
amartin7889 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Arizona was robbed...
An obvious foul at 2:34 and another at 2:54. Is this basketball or rugby?
DanielSong39 2 years ago
I don't care if those were fouls or not, if you blow a 15 point lead with 4 minutes to go, you deserve to lose.
heat258 2 years ago 6
These UA fans are way too excited about a paltry Sweet 16 team this year. Wait til the Final Four at least before you start hyping your team's tourney run, cuz UA is in for a hurting this weekend.
c4su4l 2 years ago
ya but getting to the sweet 16 is still big after having the worst season in about 25 years, they almost didn't even make the tournament...
titto1210 2 years ago
that was amazing I can't believe Ariazona blew that game still though that's what makes up March Madness
Fifenerf27 2 years ago
3/26/05 ~ Greatest comeback of all, Deron Williams showed to millions that he is the nation's best.
Happy four years!!!!
BMBender129 2 years ago 4
i still can't believe arizona choked this one away...oh well, UA made it further in the NCAAs this year. again.
djm536 2 years ago
Dee Brown!
dtwex9917 2 years ago
I-L-L
rotes 2 years ago