INDIANAPOLIS -- Illinois lost to Ohio State 88-81 in a thrilling double-overtime game in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament.
Now, the Illini (19-14) will wait for Selection Sunday to see if they have earned a spot in the NCAA tournament. If there was ever such a thing as a good defeat, Saturday was it. Illinois survived a 20-0 run from Ohio State in the second half to come back and take a 66-64 lead following a pair of Demetri McCamey free throws.
Ohio State's Evan Turner converted on a layup with 12 seconds to play. The Illini had the final shot, but Mike Davis' layup attempt missed. It likely would have been disallowed since it appeared the shot came after the buzzer.
Photos: Big Ten tournament action
Photo: Ohio State's Evan Turner blocks a shot by Illinois' Mike Davis. (AP / Michael Conroy)
At the end of the first overtime, Illinois again had the last possession with the score tied and a chance to win it. But again failed to get off a shot before the buzzer sounded.
In the second overtime, Jon Diebler started it off with a backbreaking 3-pointer for Ohio State, who led for the entire five minutes. Even after Turner fouled out with a minute to go, Ohio State remained in control.
Turner had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 turnovers. Demetri McCamey, who hit so many key buckets for Illinois, had 22 points.
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First time since 1980, YES 1980, Illini will go 4 straight years without at least ONE tourney win. 30 years!!!
But yes you Weber lovers, he's done a GREAT job with this program.
So sick of this Cubs mentality of mediocrity.
FIRE HIM NOW AND SAVE THIS PROGRAM.
Oh he only makes $1.5 million a year.... sorry he's a bargain.
Meanwhile my 8 year olds team can at least break a press.
Losers lose.
Playing their best basketball?? Really??
They lost 5 of their last 6, with horrible double-digit home losses to mediocre teams in Wisonsin / Minnesota (both games which were SUPPOSED to be "win and in" games, and they simply don't show up!!). They barely get by an MSU team (who lost to North Carolina?!?) without its best player, and at home in front of a rabid crowd. Even with all the so-called "resume wins" they still have a pathetic RPI with a slew of more deserving teams ahead of them. Their star player shows-up their coach on national TV. And yet the Illinois fans are so self-entitled thinking they are 'definitely' in. THAT's ridiculous, FAN!! Listen fans, Illinois State had a similar RPI as Illinois going into today -- don't think they're whining to get in.
Another Western Kentucky / Virginia Tech embarrassment anyone??
Weber teams are showing more ineptness as the each season passes. If you ever notice, this teams really freaks out every time someone presses them. McCamey has a great individual offensive game. But when it comes to get others going, he really lacks BBIQ.
Did anyone notice, start of the first half that McCamey takes 3 point shot and misses? Then he has a hand on 3 quick turnovers either by having the ball stolen by being lackdassical or macking a terrible pass.
Guess what? He repeats the same scenerio starting the second half.
Mike Davis 13 pts and 18 boards a no show?
Turner great player and probably national POY but he sure gets the MJ treatment.
The game was bitter sweet as the better coached team, with better all around players won. Going into this game I thought Illini would be dominated so when I turned it on and they were up by 9 in the 2nd half I could not believe it. Taking OSU to double OT was fabulous, but what was not fabulous was how we could not even get off a last shot twice with a chance to win. We start off with 12 seconds and do not call a TO until we have 3.1 left. We have been frustrated by the press all year long, and have not adjusted. Had we attacked the press we might have had some odd man advantages but instead we just wasted 6-8 seconds passing the ball back and forth in the back court. We are very lucky we did not have more turnovers as we made a ton of soft, lazy passes. Lastly, i have never seen a team give consistently lose big leads so quickly. Oh well, will have to wait and see what selection Sunday holds for us.
Excellent comment "Disgusted".
Mike Davis does have his weaknesses, but I would hardly call a double-double with 18 rebounds a "no-show". Illinois played well and will definitely be in the NCAA's.
As an OSU fan I can't believe we held on. But there's no way the Commitee can overlook Illinois.They are playing great basketball and are better than many other teams being discussed for a spot.Tyler Griffey is impressive.I hope you guys get in.
Typical Bruce Weber-coached choking team down the stretch. For the life of me I cannot understand why Tyler Griffey was pulled with around 98 minutes left. He was having a great game so stick with him you idiot coach! I feel sorry for the players coking in next year. They have no idea how bad it will be.
The team immediately relinquished the lead when Tisdale came back in. He cannot play against quick or tough teams.
This loss pretty much seals the NIT fate of the Illini. Don't give me that they beat Clemson and Vanderbilt many moons ago. Wisconsin has been over-rated all yera so those two wins mean nothing to the committee either.
Illinois took a team that has a chance of being a one seed in the NCAA tourney to double overtime. Are you detractors totally stupid?
This game sums up the season; a team with good talent plays well for 38 mins and loses. After 30-odd games, they still get frustrated by a press. We have a 3 guard line-up and they all pick up their dribble. As Kellogg said, "attack the press". They are a much more diverse team when they push the ball, instead of set 4-5 picks at the top of the key and wait until the shot clock is at 5 to shot.
This is a game that should of been won by the Illini. I won't go into how Davis was a no-show.
You people are being ridiculous. Weber has them playing their best basketball when it counts the most. Illinois had to beat Wisconsin . . . they did. Ohio State is a great team; that was a great game. Ohio State WON the game. Both coaches did an excellent job.
Illinois was playing perhaps it's best basketball of the season until Weber 1) Forgets you attack a press, not pull it out, especailly when you have no half court offense like Illinois, and 2) Both final shots were McCamey dribbling around. SET UP SOMEONE ELSE!!! Everyone in the gym knew it was going to be McCamey. Weber went from genius
to idiot when he quit running and sat back in that terrible 1/2 court offense. He lost the game not the players. I hope if Illinois makes the tournament he turns them loose and lets them use thier natural ability.
Note: Paul is so talented, but so out of control.
Only Weber can lose to one team three times in one season. Fire him NOW!