Arizona at Illinois

Fate plays funny games on us. Consider this: In March 2005, Arizona played Illinois in Chicago (Allstate arena) in the Elite 8. Arizona jumped to a commanding lead, almost everyone thought the game was over, but Illinois made a miraculous comeback and sent the game into overtime. Once into overtime the Fighting Illinis grabbed the W by the horns.

Fast forward to today, Arizona plays Illinois in Chicago again, this time the United Center of the Jordan Bulls. This time Illinois jumps ahead, Arizona makes a surprising comeback, send the game into overtime, and grabs the W by the horns in OT!

This is not the first time we saw a tale of two halves from Arizona (Texas A&M, Virginia, home-cupcakes). It looks like perhaps Kevin O'Neill is finally making a dent in the department of toughness.

Nic "Hoops" Wise showed up as the player everyone thought he would be when he came in highly touted (and chubby) out of high school. The new and improved Nic Wise found himself in this game as he, along with Jordan Hill were the main reasons why Arizona stayed relatively close and made the comeback.

Speaking of big men, Illinois's Shaun Pruitt also had a solid game, and has managed to transform himself from a clumsy freshman into a solid Big 10 center. Trent Meecham had his shooting moments at clutch situations, but he is a bit too "mid-majorish" to be a starting guard at Illinois. And there is perhaps good reason for that, Bruce Weber was supposed to have Eric Gordon. Another player who had some solid moments was Calvin Brock, he is the player with the face that can get away with pulling pranks on everybody ;-)

This was the first Arizona game without Lute Olson. Check our yesterday' post on his sabbatical, and the original post of his "indefinite leave of absence".

More on this game from ABC27 News, Scout.com forums, fightingillini.com, and Go Cats Forums.

PS> I forgot to mention the time-out Nic "Hoops" Wise called at the end of regulation but the zebras decided not to decide the game C-Webb style and instead pretended they didn't see it. Obviously Illini fans can point out that that should have been a standard-issue technical, with Illinois shooting two free throws and likely winning the game in regulation!