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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Tyler Griffey #42 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is lifted up by teammates after scoring the winning basket against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Tyler Griffey #42 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is lifted up by teammates after scoring the winning basket against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Tyler Griffey made a layup

That 2012-13 season was one to remember. Yes, Illinois started off hot and won a ton of games early. Yes, they went to the Big Ten Tournament and Brandon Paul hit the game-winning shot in the first round. But all of this was set up by one of the biggest moments in school history.

Earlier that season, as previously mentioned, the Illini started off hot. They were 12-0 and ranked in the top 10 nationally. Times were good for the program, and the John Groce era was looking incredible. But the Illini hit a rough patch as they lost eight out of their next 11 games.

This massive slide put the postseason in jeopardy for the Illini. They sat with a 15-8 record overall and were only 2-7 in the Big Ten. I would say Illinois was on the outside looking in at this point. Not only were the Illini struggling, but their next game was against No. 1 ranked Indiana.

That Indiana team was stacked. They had three future NBA players and were steamrolling the competition. Things weren’t looking great either as Illinois went into the halftime locker room down by 12 points.

But the second half was a different story. It was a different team. Illinois tied the game up at 72-72. DJ Richardson stole the ball and tried to score but was denied. With 0.9 seconds left, something that would shock the college basketball world happened in Champaign.

Paul was inbounding the ball in the corner. Tyler Griffey is setting a screen near the top of the three-point arc. Cody Zeller loses Griffey in the fray. Griffey darts to the basket as Paul hits him with a beautiful inbound bounce pass. Griffey lays the ball in as time expires. Illinois beats the No. 1 team in the nation.

Griffey makes a layup is what happened in this game. But the ramifications of this layup were insane. This moment in Illinois history will live on for the rest of time.

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