Illinois to the "Big Show"

Gargamel said:
Condolences to Six. NC was just too talented at numerous positions. Memorable season for Illinois nonetheless. They won't be forgotten easily.

How'd you become a fan of them, btw? How many seasons of fandom under your belt?
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Gargy, I grew up, and currently live, in Springfield, Illinois. It is the capital of Illinois and situated just 65 miles from Champaign. I have been to the campus for many concerts and games. While my degree is from the University of San Francisco, my brother, a niece, and a nephew attended the U of I. In this part of the country, everyone is a fan of their "State" University whether they attended or not. Let's see, I am 53 years old, so I have been a fan for approximately 45 years. :eek:
 
Hm. Have you ever thought back to that travelling call the refs made at the end of the NC/Villanova game? Sure didn't look like a travel and it cost UV the win. If not for that, Illinois is probably champs. Or do you avoid that kind of thinking?
 
Again, UNC was up 3 when that took place. If they make that and the FT, or they make the shot and no free throw there either down 1 or tied. Does that necessarily mean they were going to win. I don't see how Nova fans or any people can complain. I guess they can complain but it doesn't matter. Why does Illinois deserve a rationale for there loss. They were beat on a "neutral" court in their favor after getting even luckier (no foul calls in the Zona game to end the game). They also illegally picked every time down the court. Now I'm pretty sure moving picks are illegal in both the pro and college game, yet none were ever called throughout the national championship game.
 
bigbadred,
(1) the two steals that Illini made in Arizona game were off of very risky passes. Ingram's steal was a clear lose ball deflection, and Dee Brown's steal was suspicious (even though there was no good angle to see whether the foul was commited, and the player who had the ball stolen did not react to the refs), but not the type of foul you call in the final minutes.
(2) in UNC game, the refereeing in 1st half clearly went against Illini. Lots of touch fouls called, and LOTS of fouls on Roger Powell NOT called. That charge that May commited on Powell was obvious, a couple of other reach around fouls were called on Illini... Basically every suspicious call in 1st half went UNC way. I agree that in the final 5 or 6 minutes Ingram did move on his picks a few times, but to say that referees helped Illinois in the final game is not right.
 
I'm not saying they helped, but it was poor on both sides, they let the teams play instead of calling fouls. I think the reffing was pretty neutal. And it wasn't just the last 5 or 6 minutes, it was the whole game. My brother pointed it out earlier in the first half before whoever mentioned it on the broadcast that the picks Illinois was using were pretty much illegal. Whatever, it was a hard fought game and it proved UNC was the best with the Illini a great and close 2nd. You can't take much away from the loss, they played a poor first half and there starters played too many minutes (other than Augustine, the starters averaged 38 minutes in the game). UNC beat the Illini mainly because of May, they played better D (held the Illini to 38% shooting), and shot the ball well (52%) while playing a smarter, more controlled game.
 
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