My Illini game experience (long)

[IlliniKrush]

Wow.

 

There really aren't words in the dictionary to describe the emotional roller-coaster i experienced last night, and am still feeling today. I still don't believe we won. I don't know how we won, it's all a blur.

 

Yes, i was at the game. Before the game my parents said i was white as a ghost, and i almost threw up before tip off. I was a nervous wreck, i was shaking...i was so emotional. The most important game of my life was right before me.

 

The unity of the Illini Nation shown last night was really something. To have everybody minus about 750 people screaming at the top of their lungs when the Illini came out for the game was something i'll never forget. Zona fans were shocked at this...they knew they were in for a long night. I have never seen such a home-court advantage. This was honestly better than Assembly Hall because everything was closer to the floor.

 

I barely had a voice by halftime, but i used the 20 minutes to chill out and recover for what would be the most important half of basketball this season. I was still nervous, but relatively calm because it was only a 2 pt game at half, so nothing was close to being decided.

 

It all changed from there.

 

I have no idea what happened for the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half. It was the ugliest thing i've seen all year from this team. I was so shocked, so sad...i didn't know what to do. I kept standing and screaming and clapping, trying to will this team on. But you look up at the scoreboard and you're still down 6, down 8, etc...and we are not closing the gap at all.

 

Then it just slips away even further. 15 freakin points. People were leaving with 3 and change left at the TV timeout. This game was over. Done. The dream had come to an end. I was saying out loud "this team doesn't know how to play from behind...this team doesn't know how to play from behind"

 

I was finally relegated to sitting down in my seat...and i was crying. There were already tears streaming down my face. I was trying to cope with the reality of our season being over. I couldn't believe what was happening, i really couldn't. I have never felt so bad in my life.

 

We start to cut into the gap a little bit...Luther drains a three here, Dee gets a put back here...but i'm still thinking "great, but we're still down 9"...this just isn't happening. Finally, Roger gets rejected on a put back with about 1:40ish left, still down 9. Knowing Zona will now run 35 seconds off the clock, i say aloud "that's game" to my friend in a very low voice, and start crying again.

 

Then the madness hits.

 

Head gets a steal, easy layup. Down 7. Damn, that's still a lot of points with only over a minute left. This isn't happening.

 

Two free throws go down, and we're down 8 with basically a minute left. No chance.

 

Deron very quickly makes a sweet move for a layup, and it's cut to 6. I stand up and wipe the tears from my face. You never know...i'm praying for Zona to choke their lives out at the line, because i know that's what it will take. It's basically all in Zona's hands.

 

Two more free throws...didn't choke at the line...we're f***ed. We need a miracle, we need a million threes to fall in no time, we need something, i don't even know.

 

Head drains one from long range. 5 pts with 50 something left. By this point all of us are on our feet, screaming out last screams, trying to get this team back into the game. We're all holding our breath. I think it was at that point was when i said a prayer to God.

 

A steal!!!!! Brown on the break, barely gets the layup in without overrunning the basket or getting it blocked. 3 pt game. This is doable now. We still need them to choke at the line though, i'm thinking.

 

Wrong. The inbounds pass is somehow batted up into the air by Jack and we recover it. There was an electric feeling in the place at that moment. We hit this, we're tied. But that's no guarantee.

 

Deron drains it. Pandemonium. I'm jumping over rows (nearly breaking my ankle) high fiving people i don't even know. It's loud as hell in there - i don't know if i've heard anything louder in my life.

 

Problem is, Zona has a chance to win before OT. So we can only lose at this point. I think every Illini fan lost their voice during that last possession, hoping we could get a stop. I know it's going to Salim, you know it's going to Salim, the guy down the street knows it's going to Salim. Out loud i'm saying "please don't hit this salim, no, no, don't hit this please no." Then McClellan hits rim, we get a rebound...AND DERON IS OPEN DOWN THE FLOOR WITH ENOUGH TIME LEFT!!!!

 

But the pass gets tipped, and Zona has it again. OH MY GOD, NO. I couldn't believe we were then gonna lose after having the ball with 5 seconds left. We get a block and a missed shot, and we're going to overtime.

 

I collapse on the floor under the seats and lay there for the whole intermission. There's a buzz in the crowd. For all the great that this comeback was, all it is now is a 5 minute game. We didn't win anything yet. However, we have all the momentum. There is no way in hell we are going to lose now right? My big worry was that we were in some bad foul trouble due to the last 5 minutes of the game.

 

We get the tip, we get the lead. We end up getting up 90-84 on some Deron threes, one of which i thought would hopefully break Zona's back, and the place is up for grabs. I know there's a lot of time left, and this is far from over. But we got this...we got this.

 

Zona brings it to 90-89, our ball. I want Deron to count down the clock and make a play...quite possibly his pull back jumper from the top of the key. Instead, Luther has the ball, and attempts a no chance layup from way outside the lane...f***. Now Zona's gonna have ANOTHER shot to win this thing on the last possession. I can't take this, i just can't. I would like to know what my heart rate was at that point. This one is different though...i know this game is over in 11 seconds. There's no one point basket. They make, they win...they miss, we win. There's no more overtime.

 

And in this timeout i reflect while observing the crowd all around me. This whole season, all these games, all this time, all the ups and downs...and we have an 11 second season. Are you serious? One ball, one shot, will determine the fate of this season. I'm beyond nervous. I'm scared for my life. But this team can win it with defense right here. We can do this. They aren't making this, they just aren't.

 

Salim's gonna get the ball AGAIN for the game. I saw this Thursday...not again...but no, in the most uncomprehensible series of events on a final possession in a game of this magnitude, Adams tries to penetrate for a second then throws up a prayer (and this thing was a prayer if i've ever seen one). I'm in the 3rd row behind the basket he's shooting at, so before the thing is even at it's peak, i know it has no chance of going in. The horn sounds. I jump as high as i've ever jumped in my life and hug my friend, my mom, and my dad...and about 10 other people i don't even know around my seat. We were tackling each other, rolling all over the seats...people were just out of their minds. And man, was it loud.

 

Then i tried to just absorb everything in front of me. I looked to Bruce, i looked to the players, and i made sure i looked at Lute and the Zona players sprawled out on the floor. I can't imagine what it's like for them, none of us can. I honest to God feel bad for them. If you don't feel the least bit sad for them, you don't have a heart. I looked at the Zona fans. Motionless, mouths open...shocked. They didn't move for minutes, they even watched the celebration.

 

I couldn't stop hugging people. Finally, something went right. I felt so...so..i don't even know. Relieved? Damn it, we deserved this, bruce deserved this, the players deserved this, the Illini fans deserved this, i deserved this. And we got it. This was meant to be. There's no other way to put it. I'm pretty much still in shock. It was all a blur, just a total blur. After the game, we tried to recap what happened the last few minutes of regulation, and we could barely remember anything. I was living by each possession, and once it was over it was like i had no clue what happened, just that the other team had the ball now. It all happened so fast, just so fast.

 

The emotional roller coaster was just unbelievable. This game was over, i was crying, i was trying to deal with the fact that this season basically was a waste. Who's going to remember a team who died in the elite 8? No one. A one game season, and we lost it. It's just not fair...it's just not fair at all.

 

Then, in the nick of time, we tie it up. I still can't believe it. How the hell did we tie it up?!?!?! Then hang on in OT by the skin of our teeth, one point. Thank you God.

 

I'm still so emotional the day after. I've never felt so happy in my life. We did it. We got to the final four in this amazing year. We're going to St Louis...WE'RE GOING TO ST LOUIS!!!!!

 

To all the other Illini fans out there, enjoy this. For the absolute hardcore ones out there that live and die with this team...this is just amazing isn't it? I love all of you. For any of you out there (and there's a lot of you) that live and die with your teams, whoever they may be, and show the passion that i've shown for this team this year, i hope one day you can experience this with your team. Because it's really something. You don't know what it's like until that's YOUR team out there. That's your school.

 

I love this team, i love this school...i can't wait to get back to campus tonight. This week should be incredible.

 

I've got a week's worth of finding final four tickets coming up. I will be selling body parts, whatever...i'm going to be there. I've been there every step of the way, and i'm gonna be there in St Louis.

 

In the meantime, i need to relax and enjoy this week.

 

But we have two more to go. I want the whole thing, i want it so bad. Can this team be stopped after this game? Some people are like "it's over, illini are guaranteed to win it now." No way. LONG way to go, going to have to win two more games against excellent opponents. Nothing is guaranteed.

 

Destiny?

 

We'll see

 

ILL

 

INI

 

-Kenny

[SnB]

next time, smuggle me in a backpack

 

BUt seriously, amazing game, who know you could experience all those emotions in a matter of 10-15 minutes.

 

Something i'll never forget, can't imagine what it was like being there.

[black jack]

great story.

 

i still have goosebumps thinking about that comeback.

 

at the time i thought i was going to puke, can only imagine what the final four will do to me (or a sox world series for that matter).

 

 

Love the fact the everyone said the Illini didn't beat anyone all seson when there's now 3 Big Ten teams in Elite 8 and possibly Final 4.

[black jack]

BTY- How about Head's block at the last shot of regulation....you know Salim was going to drain it.

 

WHEW!!!!

[greasywheels121]

Congrats to all of you Illini fans.

 

I'm jealous.

 

I want to experience the same thing you guys are experiencing right now.

 

Represent the Big Ten well guys!

[IlliniKrush]

I should probly add this as well:

 

The last few minutes of regulation, with me crying and sulking in my chair, my mom (who's not hardcore obviously, but she cheers for them and watches almost every game because i'm there) is like "we can do this, come on there's time left...it's not over til it's over" and all that cliche stuff. I was so close to just being like "shutup already mom" because it was typical mom-style positive attitude in a time of utter disbelief and sadness in my life..down 14 freakin points.

 

Who woulda thought mom was right

[DonkeyKongerko]

I guess that shows you should always listen to your mother. Then again my Mom had pretty much given up with about 6 minutes left. Props to yours.

[CWSGuy406]

I should probly add this as well:

 

The last few minutes of regulation, with me crying and sulking in my chair, my mom (who's not hardcore obviously, but she cheers for them and watches almost every game because i'm there) is like "we can do this, come on there's time left...it's not over til it's over" and all that cliche stuff. I was so close to just being like "shutup already mom" because it was typical mom-style positive attitude in a time of utter disbelief and sadness in my life..down 14 freakin points.

 

Who woulda thought mom was right

 

Same with my mom.

 

Me and my dad are sitting there watching the game, and, while my mom didn't watch any Illini games this year, she usually roots for the Chicago teams, so she comes down -- and she sees them down 15. She's feelin' real bad for Illinois, but then she's like, "we can still do this". My dad and I are basically just watching the game because nothing else is on, and they start chipping away. My mom, who I never knew even liked Illinois, is cheering real, real loud when Deron hit that three.

 

(I should have prefaced it by saying no one in my family is a big Illinois fan -- we usually cheer for Depaul/Northwestern...).

[WHarris1]

Oh my f***ing God that was the best night of my life...I think, I dunno I'm just so f***ing happy.

I was just sitting there down 15 points and thinking wow we come all this way, it isn't meant to end like this, this can't be happening.

We chip away and I think to myself, wow we still have a ways to go.

Holy f*** we get a steal it's tied, the place was so loud my ears were rining.

OT was soo intense in the stands.

Adams bricks, we win, I can't even f***ing believe.

I start hugging all sorts of grown men around me. Including this 80 year old man I had talked to a little over the game, I was just like wtf i love this i love you i love this team, and most importantly I f***ing love Coach Weber.

 

I can't even explain what it was like that 30/40 minutes after the game with the t-shirts the celebrating, the media, the net cutting.

 

Wow, I'm still so f***ing pumped.

[WHarris1]

Also, awesome moment when Channing hit a 3 to put them up 12, this AZ fan behind me reached over and said ballgame.

 

After the game was over I just turned, laughed at him, and said...BALLGAME

[MinnesotaSoxFan]

my mom is the type of person who knows who you route for and cheers against them just for your reaction...

[Nokona]

I dont know how my head didn't go through the ceiling when Deron hit that 3 to tie. Highest vertical leap of my life.

[IlliniKrush]

I HAVE FINAL FOUR TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AssHatSoxFan]

I HAVE FINAL FOUR TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i better get mine too... i know my friends at U of L will be there hopefully

[CanOfCorn]

I'm a 1993 Grad of U of I...I missed the 1989 Final Four team by a year, but know exactly where I was for that damn Michigan game. I remember Bruce Douglas and Doug Altenberger. I have been an Illini fan since the early 80's and this was, by far, the best game I have ever seen.

 

I am far away now in Austin, TX, but I will happily gloat over every Big 12 fan I meet. I miss the camaraderie of Illini Nation in Champaign/Chicago/St. Louis, but I still live and die by this team.

 

If I can interject a quick story about my experience. I was watching at home with my fiancee and two friends, none of whom went to Illinois or anywhere close to a Big Ten school (Rice and Agnes Scott were their teams, yikes). Anyway, as the Illini were down 15, they all said, there's still a chance. I ran to the closet and got my torn up sweatshirt I bought my freshman year at Illinois and two Illini hats from the closet. I clutched that sweatshirt as tight as I could for the remaining 4 minutes of the game.

 

I still don't know what happened, but when Deron hit that tying three, I think people as far away as Waco heard me. I always thought that sweatshirt was lucky...and now, I KNOW it is.

 

Thanks for the story Krush and have a great time at the Final Four...just cheer as loud or louder at that game and know that there are Illini all over the world cheering through you and every other fan at the game.

 

ILL

 

INI!!!

 

PS. If you can get Bill Murray to the games in St. Louis, that would be great...I think he's a lucky charm this year, too.

[AssHatSoxFan]

my order is confirmed and I will see you in st louie babeeeeeeeeeeee

[IlliniKrush]

SEE YA BY THE ARCH

[Be Good]

Great story Krush, and have a good time in saint louie!!

[aboz56]

Please don't say "we" did it, you are not on the team. Shame on you!....

 

[IlliniKrush]

If you are talking to me aboz...i always say "we", it's just habit. It lets people know you are fan of the team. I think saying "the Illini" every time makes it sound like you are an outside observer, maybe not a fan of the team. Plus, it is my school, so saying "we" seems alright for now.

 

But i know i'm not part of the team. But at this point, it almost feels like a "we." It feels like the whole campus, all of Illini Nation, is in this thing for the long run. There's something to be said for the atmosphere created saturday. I'll say it right now - they don't win without the crowd. Pretty cool thing that happened saturday.

 

But the "we" happens with all my teams, like it or not. I think a ton of people do it, you know? If you are a dedicated fan, i have no problem with you saying "we" about a team.

[aboz56]

If you are talking to me aboz...i always say "we", it's just habit. It lets people know you are fan of the team. I think saying "the Illini" every time makes it sound like you are an outside observer, maybe not a fan of the team. Plus, it is my school, so saying "we" seems alright for now.

 

But i know i'm not part of the team. But at this point, it almost feels like a "we." It feels like the whole campus, all of Illini Nation, is in this thing for the long run. There's something to be said for the atmosphere created saturday. I'll say it right now - they don't win without the crowd. Pretty cool thing that happened saturday.

 

But the "we" happens with all my teams, like it or not. I think a ton of people do it, you know? If you are a dedicated fan, i have no problem with you saying "we" about a team.

I was kidding, hence the use of green.

 

Guess you didn't see my thread with Steve where he went off on me for saying "we" when referring to Michigan State.

[Chisoxfn]

Awesome story. That had to be flat out insane Brian. Hell, I'm not even an Illini fan and I found myself cheering for them, for the big 10 and I was going nuts as they cut the game.

 

My dad was saying how it was over and the whole weekend I was right on in my prediction. I kept telling him, Illinois had one run left and they would tie it at one point...sure enough they did.

 

I'm pulling for an all Big 10 final. Of course my original pick of Ill-UNC still stands.

 

Have fun at the 4 guys, that should be a freaking BLAST.

[IlliniKrush]

I was kidding, hence the use of green.

 

Guess you didn't see my thread with Steve where he went off on me for saying "we" when referring to Michigan State.

 

My post wasn't in anger or anything anyway...

 

PS, tell Steve to go eat it

[Ishmookie]

illinikrush my feelings exactly. i couldnt have summed it up better. It was a bottomless pit of dissapointment to a state of euphoria. LET'S DO THIS! GO ILLINI!

Edited March 30, 2005 by Ishmookie

[Be Good]

But the "we" happens with all my teams, like it or not. I think a ton of people do it, you know? If you are a dedicated fan, i have no problem with you saying "we" about a team.

Yeah I think most dedicated fans say "we" when refering to their team. I know I do it all the time, especially if my teams are winning.