Watch Full Game | A look at the 2004-05 Illini
Monday marks the 13th anniversary of "The Comeback," the Fighting Illini's thrilling 90-89 come-from-behind overtime win over Arizona at Allstate Arena in Chicago on March 26, 2005.
Illinois vs. Arizona | 2005 NCAA Chicago Regional Final
The Allstate Arena in Rosemont transformed into Illinois' alternate homecourt for the Chicago Regional, with nearly the entire arena rooting for the Illini. A solid win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee put Illinois in the Elite Eight and just one step away from a coveted trip to St. Louis. All that stood in the way was a tough Arizona squad.
The top-ranked Illini and the ninth-ranked Wildcats traded blows throughout the first half, but then Arizona slowly started to pull away. Illinois, which had never trailed by more than nine points at any time during the season, soon fell behind by double figures. The deficit grew to a seemingly insurmountable 15 points at 75-60 with just four minutes remaining.
But what followed was an Orange and Blue blur, an amazing 20-5 run to tie the game at 80-all. In a hectic series of 3-pointers by Deron Williams and Luther Head and steals by Head and Dee Brown, the Illini fought back, but still trailed 80-72 with just over a minute to play. The comeback culminated with 40 seconds left when Ingram stole an inbounds pass and ultimately found Williams, who hit perhaps the biggest shot in Illini history, a 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime.
» WATCH "THE SHOT"
The heroics continued in OT, and when Williams' defense forced an off-balance Arizona shot at the end of the game that missed, the buzzer sounded and the Illini bench stormed onto the court to celebrate the improbable 90-89 victory. Illinois was going to the Final Four for the first time since 1989.
