I was a freshman in college in 2004-05. I remember watching in my dorm room in amazement as the Illinois Fighting Illini destroyed then-top-ranked Wake Forest at Assembly Hall. I remember seeing Illinois’ undefeated season dashed by Matt Sylvester. I remember the Illini hoisting the Big Ten title trophy at United Center. But the most memorable performance of that season is one I don’t remember at all.
Geographically, Illinois had everything set up for them in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini were the No. 1 overall seed in the Big Dance, played the first two rounds in Indianapolis, and were playing in a regional final in suburban Chicago for the opportunity to reach the Final Four in St.