proud to be an Illini
Wow. 37-2. Amazing. And those two losses could've gone either way. Matt Sylvester misses that last shot, 38-1. Luther Head makes his last two shots, 39-0. I disagree with the statement that the Illini "blew it." They played an excellent team. UNC was more talented than them, but only slightly. We had better guards (though UNC's guards were very talented), but they had better forwards. And their advantage with the forwards was just slightly better than our advantage with the guards.
That being said, the Illini played their hearts out. They never gave up. They came back from a wretched shooting first half, which happens sometimes, to tie it with 2 minutes left. Luther Head had two good looks, that didn't go in. Something that also happens sometimes. But the important thing was we battled back, we didn't roll over. UNC said "bring it" and we said "it's already been broughten". We made them recognize that we're just as good as them.
And this all happened with Sean May dominating our front court. We couldn't stop him. But it didn't stop us. We kept coming. Be proud of that. Be proud that the Illini faced a very good team and played a very good game of basketball with them. UNC was awesome, and they earned their title by beating another awesome team, Illinois. I'd have preferred it to have come out the other way obviously, but right now all I can say is that I am proud to be an Illini.
That being said, the Illini played their hearts out. They never gave up. They came back from a wretched shooting first half, which happens sometimes, to tie it with 2 minutes left. Luther Head had two good looks, that didn't go in. Something that also happens sometimes. But the important thing was we battled back, we didn't roll over. UNC said "bring it" and we said "it's already been broughten". We made them recognize that we're just as good as them.
And this all happened with Sean May dominating our front court. We couldn't stop him. But it didn't stop us. We kept coming. Be proud of that. Be proud that the Illini faced a very good team and played a very good game of basketball with them. UNC was awesome, and they earned their title by beating another awesome team, Illinois. I'd have preferred it to have come out the other way obviously, but right now all I can say is that I am proud to be an Illini.