A sea of orange they wanted, and a sea of orange they got.

Groups of fans came by the car-load, filling the lots and Assembly Hall to capacity for the most anticipated game in Champaign since the Magic Johnson-led Michigan State squad arrived in 1979.

“I knew we had a chance to win, but I didn’t think we’d have anything like this,” said Dick Miller, a Philo, Ill., resident who brought his 8-year-old son Ryan to the game. “It’s really just too good to be true.”

The fans were on their feet from tip-off, jumping when Orange Krush jumped, dancing when the Illinettes danced and high-fiving each other each time an Illini bucket fell.

While Assembly Hall is sold out for the season, at previous games there was an occasional empty block of seats. But almost every seat in the hall was occupied when the Illini took on the No. 1-ranked Demon Deacons.

Ryan Miller, who said his favorite part of attending an Illini game is usually seeing all the orange and blue, was impressed by the team’s drive against Wake Forest.

“I’ve never seen them play this hard,” the 8-year-old said.

Early on, the fans exploded with every Illini rebound. But as the margin between the teams grew – Wake Forest never led – a mix of shock and astonishment came over the stadium.

Illinois fans wanted a win. That doesn’t mean they expected one.

“I think it’s the best game I’ve ever seen them play,” said Charles Moore, an Urbana resident who has been attending games for more than 30 years. “It’s outstanding teamwork.”

As the clock ticked down and Illinois’ lead grew, the fans responded.

With 8:34 left in the game and the score at 79-49, they began to chant “Overrated.”

At 5:47 and an 85-56 Illini lead, the Krush members in Section C started up with “ACC sucks.”

Three minutes later, it switched to “We’re No. 1.”

And before the end of regulation, they had moved on to the traditional “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, good-bye.”

But as the amazement wore off and the win became imminent, the fans began to look forward.

“I hope that they go all the way to St. Louis and, in the Big Ten Tournament, I hope they win,” Ryan Miller said. “It’s the 100th season, so I hope it’s lucky for them.”

Although many fans hope to see the Illini win big, they know this victory isn’t a guarantee of future success.

“This is a big win, but they have to be able to win on a neutral court too, and they haven’t really played a good team there,” said Kyle Keating, freshman in LAS. “But this is a step in the right direction.”

Illinois, currently ranked No. 3, has never won an NCAA title.

But some fans already see this as the year.

“This team is awesome,” Dick Miller said. “They can beat anybody in the nation if they play like they’re playing tonight.”