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Illinois Basketball: 5 favorite Illini moments described as boring as possible

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader is seen before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center on February 24, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 22, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 22, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

3. Illinois beats Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament

It seems like a bland statement saying Illinois beat Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. That is something that doesn’t stand out to many people. But this wasn’t just any victory for the Orange and Blue.

Let’s go back to the 2012-13 campaign. Illinois started the year off hot, cracking the top 10 for what I believe would be the last time in the decade. The team started off 12-0 and the nation was put on notice. That is when Illinois hit a speed bump.

Illinois would go 3-8 in their next 11 games to sit with a record of 15-8 overall. After some winning down the stretch, the Illini entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed and went up against No. 9 seed Minnesota. This was a huge game considering Illinois wasn’t on solid ground with the NCAA tournament.

With time winding down in the game, the score was tied 49-49. Yes, it wasn’t the best offensive game in the world. But, still, Illinois had the ball and the chance for a last-second shot. Brandon Paul brings the ball up the court. He then slowly creeps to the top of the key. Paul does a crossover move and pulls up from about 16 feet.

Paul would hit that game-winning shot against Minnesota. Illinois would advance to the second round only to lose to No. 1 Indiana. We also made the NCAA tournament and advanced to the second round. This would be the last time Illini fans saw the team player in the postseason.

I would say Paul’s dagger against Minnesota is one of the most memorable moments in my Illinois basketball lifetime. This was a big-time shot in a big-time game.

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