Even Illini stunned by miraculous comeback
By Mike DeCourcy - SportingNews
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Illinois assistant coach Jay Price already had shaken enough hands and accepted enough congratulations to understand what had happened.
The Illini had recovered from a 15-point deficit against Arizona in the last four minutes of regulation to force overtime and ultimately earn a trip to the Final Four. But he had no idea how it happened.
"It was 15, and the next thing I realized it was a one-possession game," Price said. "It was a blur." He made sure to get his hands on a final book -- complete with box score, shot charts and, most important, the play-by-play account -- so he could sort it out. He'll probably watch the tape of those final minutes a few times, as well.
What Price had seen from courtside was the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history. Do I know that for sure? No. But it's worth throwing that out there and starting the argument, if only to hear about those who delivered similar miracles. If there were any, of course.
The most astonishing aspect of the Illinois recovery, from 75-60 at the 4:04 mark to a 90-89 victory and the Chicago region championship, was how thoroughly unprepared they were to mount it. Entering the Arizona game, Illinois led its opponents 93 percent of the time, trailing in the second half only five times -- and not once by a double-figure margin.
The Illini had no experience at this. They were practiced at protecting these big leads. They could have told Arizona what to do to carry it home, that's for sure. This was no time for sharing secrets, though. This was a time to believe, even if you didn't believe, and to hustle, even if you were spent, and ultimately to win, even if defeat appeared absolutely certain.
One really good example to demonstrate the improbability of Illinois' recovery can be found in my notebook, scribbled in handwriting and a shorthand only I can decipher: McC snuffs Powell/that's it.
I wrote that down with 1:46 remaining in regulation. Illini forward Roger Powell had squeezed open along the right baseline and tried to launch a one-handed shot, but Arizona freshman Jawann McCellan soared and rejected that attempt, then grabbed the rebound. The Wildcats were ahead 77-68 then, a lead they'd held for just under a minute. Time was lapsing, and little was happening. Who didn't think it was over then?
Precisely 61 seconds later, it was a one-possession game.
We all kind of knew the Illini had a chance at that point.
"I think everyone sees now why they are 36-1," said Arizona coach Lute Olson. "They are not a team that is going to give up."
Almost as amazing as the Illini's determination was that of the crowd. Traffic around Allstate Arena is no party, and yet there was no visible rush toward the exit as the Illini entered the TV timeout down 12 points with 3:26 remaining. That cacophony of orange remained, nearly every seat filled with an Illinois fan just waiting for one final reason to cheer for this team. Even if it was say thanks and goodbye.
Ultimately, they had a large role in the revival. As Arizona turned over the ball four times and missed three shots down the stretch, the crowd noise helped propel the Illini forward. The players cited the fans' support as essential to the victory. Coach Bruce Weber almost sheepishly admitted it did not hurt to be playing so close to home.
This sort of marriage of team and venue does not come up that often in the NCAA tournament. In 2000, Michigan State got to play Iowa State close to campus at the Palace of Auburn Hills. In 1998, North Carolina traveled a few miles up the road and defeated Connecticut at the Greensboro Coliseum.
It was Illinois' good fortune that this year's regional was placed in the O'Hare neighborhood. Such decisions are made years in advance, and it became a happy coincidence for the Illini. They nearly blew that great advantage by playing dismally through the first 16 minutes of the second half. But the audience did not give up on them, and they did not give up on themselves.
How did they do this? Well, you could go through and account for the important plays. Or you could consider the qualities that made this team a champion. "I was like, 'We're not going to lose this game. It's right in front of us,' " said big man Jack Ingram, who covered for starter James Augustine after he was disqualified on fouls. "The loss against Ohio State -- I really didn't want to have that feeling again."
And so they won't, at least not now. Illinois is back in the Final Four for the first time since 1989. A lot has happened since, but never more than between 4:04 and 0:39 against Arizona. After he stops smiling, Jay Price can look it up and tell you all about it.
By Mike DeCourcy - SportingNews
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Illinois assistant coach Jay Price already had shaken enough hands and accepted enough congratulations to understand what had happened.
The Illini had recovered from a 15-point deficit against Arizona in the last four minutes of regulation to force overtime and ultimately earn a trip to the Final Four. But he had no idea how it happened.
"It was 15, and the next thing I realized it was a one-possession game," Price said. "It was a blur." He made sure to get his hands on a final book -- complete with box score, shot charts and, most important, the play-by-play account -- so he could sort it out. He'll probably watch the tape of those final minutes a few times, as well.
What Price had seen from courtside was the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history. Do I know that for sure? No. But it's worth throwing that out there and starting the argument, if only to hear about those who delivered similar miracles. If there were any, of course.
The most astonishing aspect of the Illinois recovery, from 75-60 at the 4:04 mark to a 90-89 victory and the Chicago region championship, was how thoroughly unprepared they were to mount it. Entering the Arizona game, Illinois led its opponents 93 percent of the time, trailing in the second half only five times -- and not once by a double-figure margin.
The Illini had no experience at this. They were practiced at protecting these big leads. They could have told Arizona what to do to carry it home, that's for sure. This was no time for sharing secrets, though. This was a time to believe, even if you didn't believe, and to hustle, even if you were spent, and ultimately to win, even if defeat appeared absolutely certain.
One really good example to demonstrate the improbability of Illinois' recovery can be found in my notebook, scribbled in handwriting and a shorthand only I can decipher: McC snuffs Powell/that's it.
I wrote that down with 1:46 remaining in regulation. Illini forward Roger Powell had squeezed open along the right baseline and tried to launch a one-handed shot, but Arizona freshman Jawann McCellan soared and rejected that attempt, then grabbed the rebound. The Wildcats were ahead 77-68 then, a lead they'd held for just under a minute. Time was lapsing, and little was happening. Who didn't think it was over then?
Precisely 61 seconds later, it was a one-possession game.
We all kind of knew the Illini had a chance at that point.
"I think everyone sees now why they are 36-1," said Arizona coach Lute Olson. "They are not a team that is going to give up."
Almost as amazing as the Illini's determination was that of the crowd. Traffic around Allstate Arena is no party, and yet there was no visible rush toward the exit as the Illini entered the TV timeout down 12 points with 3:26 remaining. That cacophony of orange remained, nearly every seat filled with an Illinois fan just waiting for one final reason to cheer for this team. Even if it was say thanks and goodbye.
Ultimately, they had a large role in the revival. As Arizona turned over the ball four times and missed three shots down the stretch, the crowd noise helped propel the Illini forward. The players cited the fans' support as essential to the victory. Coach Bruce Weber almost sheepishly admitted it did not hurt to be playing so close to home.
This sort of marriage of team and venue does not come up that often in the NCAA tournament. In 2000, Michigan State got to play Iowa State close to campus at the Palace of Auburn Hills. In 1998, North Carolina traveled a few miles up the road and defeated Connecticut at the Greensboro Coliseum.
It was Illinois' good fortune that this year's regional was placed in the O'Hare neighborhood. Such decisions are made years in advance, and it became a happy coincidence for the Illini. They nearly blew that great advantage by playing dismally through the first 16 minutes of the second half. But the audience did not give up on them, and they did not give up on themselves.
How did they do this? Well, you could go through and account for the important plays. Or you could consider the qualities that made this team a champion. "I was like, 'We're not going to lose this game. It's right in front of us,' " said big man Jack Ingram, who covered for starter James Augustine after he was disqualified on fouls. "The loss against Ohio State -- I really didn't want to have that feeling again."
And so they won't, at least not now. Illinois is back in the Final Four for the first time since 1989. A lot has happened since, but never more than between 4:04 and 0:39 against Arizona. After he stops smiling, Jay Price can look it up and tell you all about it.
