ROSEMONT, Ill. – I guess that’s why we have TiVo.

To replay an ending Illinois isn’t sure happened.

Down 15 with 4:04 left to go, Illinois made a comeback for all time, finding a way to beat Arizona in overtime, 90-89.

“I think it is a game that will be shown many, many times as a classic,” said Illinois head coach Bruce Weber. “I don’t think there is any doubt about that.”

No there isn’t.

During a time of year when buzzer-beaters and classic games are routine, Illinois and Arizona out-did the field. The first 35 minutes of the game may be forgotten in future years, but they shouldn’t.

The entire game was a battle between two teams that were worthy of the Final Four and took their best shot. For every three by Illinois’ guard Luther Head, Arizona forward Hassan Adams nailed a shot in return. For every steal by Dee Brown, there was a steal by Arizona’s Ivan Radenovic. For every minute Deron Williams kept Salim Stoudamire from scoring, Channing Frye blocked an Illini shot.

This was a team refusing to lose against the most resilient team in the tournament.

In the end, refusing to lose took the day.

Arizona took everything Illinois had and looked to be heading to the Arch by playing Illinois basketball. They hit open threes, converted on free throws, pushed the ball up the court and kept Illinois from scoring.

It didn’t faze Illinois.

The Illini may have been down 15, but they never knew it. The Illini still had their swagger. And that is why they won. Like all season, Illinois refused to lose.

“I never panicked,” Brown said. “I felt we had a chance. We had a chance to get in the game. Our defense would pick up.”

So would the team’s three-point shot.

The miracle run started with a Head three and was defined by the man with a tweaked hamstring. Head stole a Frye pass with just over a minute left in regulation. Once Head had the ball, his eyes sought out the nearest Arizona defender – not the basket – with a focused stare. Head foretold an Illinois victory.

Game over.

Dee gets another steal and hits a layup. Jack Ingram grabs an Arizona inbound pass, leading to a Williams three. Game tied at 80. Overtime. Williams hits two more bombs and keeps Adams from doing anything with the ball in the final seconds. Illinois wins.

“That turned into the game of the century,” Brown said.

Dee, you may be right.

This isn’t just the best game in Illinois basketball history. This is one of the best games in college basketball history. How often do teams overcome fifteen-point deficits? With something as important as a Final Four berth on the line?

I bet I’ll never see it again.

This is a younger generation’s Christian Laettner game-winning shot. And this one may even beat that 1992 Kentucky-Duke game. Instead of one moment, this game has several. Head’s steal and stare. Ingram’s steal. Any of the three’s. Weber crying after the game. Head and Brown screaming in celebration, all while Brown is conducting a radio interview.

The players, coaches and Illinois fans lingered around the court after the game. No one wanted to leave. And why should they?

That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Bobby La Gesse is a senior in communications. He can be reached at [email protected].