We're No. 1?    

By Greg Taylor

[DEC. 2, 2004]  Back in the winter of 1979, I was 9 years old and ready to watch on TV the biggest game of the year. No. 1 Michigan State, led by superstar Magic Johnson, was coming to town to face No. 4 Illinois. At about 5:30 p.m., the phone in the Taylor house rang, and before long, my dad and I were headed to Assembly Hall with tickets to the game. It would turn out to be one the great Illini moments in history, as Eddie Johnson made a late bucket to propel Illinois to victory.

Not since that evening in 1979 had the No. 1 team in the country invaded Chambana, but last night No. 1 Wake Forest came to town ready to take on the beloved, No. 3/No. 5 Illinois. A great amount of emotion and energy surrounded this game, as a local radio station helped Illinois make this night their fifth annual "Paint the Hall Orange" night. Was Illinois up to the challenge? Would Wake have a preseason-NIT hangover? Could the hometown faithful be the sixth man in a close game down the stretch?

Illinois started fast, jumping out to a quick 9-4 lead in the first three minutes of the game. But Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Deron Williams was whistled for his second foul shortly thereafter, and this game seemed to be turning on a dime so to speak, as Wake star Justin Gray nailed a 3 just seconds after Williams went to the pine. Many in media row wondered if Wake would use the break to pull away from the Illini. The answer would be no.

With Williams on the bench, Illinois exploded to a 13-point lead at 28-15 behind the shooting of two seniors, Roger Powell Jr. and Luther Head. Again, a trio of Illini played really well in the first 20 minutes, with Dee Brown joining Head and Powell Jr.

By halftime, the lead was 21 at 54-33 and many wondered if pro-ACC media in the house like Jay Bilas, the Dukie or Andy Katz would actually be forced to say something good about Illinois. Would they actually jump ON the bandwagon of a Midwest team other than those in Lexington and Lawrence?

Twenty more minutes remained, however, and while 21 points is a great lead, Illinois was playing the No. 1 and could not afford to let down. Powell had 17 at the break, followed by Brown's 16 and Head's 10. Williams didn't score but did hand out six assists in just eight minutes of play. Illinois had 15 assists in the first half, just two turnovers and shot 60 percent from the field, while making 8-of-16 3-point attempts. What a half of basketball!

The second half started slow for Illinois, as they missed several long outside shots, and Wake crawled to within 17 and had an open 3 rim out. The Illini would respond with another flurry of energy that saw them go on a 23-8 run over several minutes to take an unheard of 32-point lead on the No. 1 team in the land, 81-49.

At this point, three things went through the mind of this reporter: First, is Illinois the best team in the land? Second, could the Assembly Hall possibly be any louder? Finally, does this night have to end?

Coach Weber, showing the class he embodies, called off the troops shortly thereafter and allowed the final score to be only 91-73, a score that doesn't do justice to the beating the Illini gave No. 1 Wake.

Bottom line? Illinois is playing the best basketball Illini fans have seen since the magical season of 1988-89, which ended with a trip to the Final Four. Brown, Williams, Head, Powell and crew look like they really understand the motion offense and have an early-season chemistry not evident in the past. They are a team on a roll, and only one thing remains to be said: WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

[Greg Taylor]

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