As soon as Deron Williams released the ball on his fourth three-pointer, teammate Luther Head had both arms up to tell the world it was going to swish through the net.
Dee Brown stole the ball from Cincinnati’s Field Williams and headed straight to the basket, wrapping the ball around his back just before scoring on a reverse layup. Illinois had never looked better.
And there was no better time for its spectacular display of shooting, passing and defensive authority than Sunday. The calm, cool Illini (26-6) dispatched Cincinnati 92-68 at Nationwide Arena in the second round of the NCAA tournament to advance to face top-seeded Duke on Friday in the Sweet 16.
“We talked about playing at the magical level,” Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. “We had some guys that were magic tonight.”
Williams hit all six of his shots in the first half, including five three-pointers and had 17 points by halftime. He finished 10-for-13 from the field, going 6-for-8 on three-pointers, and made 5 of 7 free throws. He tied a career best with 31 points.
If the team’s enthusiasm waned after losing the Big Ten tournament title game, fourth-seeded Cincinnati (25-7) renewed the Illini’s fervor with trash talking. Williams and Cincinnati’s Tony Bobbitt, who scored 15, exchanged snide remarks throughout the game.
“I was hot, so I was going to let him know I was hot,” Williams said. “He came in and got hot, too, so he was talking right back.”
Brown scored 14 to go with eight assists, one turnover and two steals. Head scored just six points but led the team with nine assists.
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Bitter-Sweet past
Before Sunday, Illinois had made it to the Sweet 16 five times since 1984 with mixed results. Here’s a look at those five runs:
1984
Illini were a No. 2 seed in Mideast.
Def. No. 7 Villanova, 64-56
Def. No. 3 Maryland, 72-70
Lost to No. 1 seed
Kentucky, 54-51
1985
Illini were a No. 3 seed in East.
Def. No. 14 Northeastern, 76-57
Def. No. 6 Georgia, 74-58
Lost to No. 2 Georgia Tech, 61-53
1989
Illini were a No. 1 seed in Midwest
Def. No. 16 McNeese State, 77-71
Def. No. 9 Ball State, 72-60
Def. No. 4 Louisville, 83-69
Def. No. 2 Syracuse, 89-86
Lost to No. 3 Michigan, 83-81
2001
Illini were a No. 1 seed in Midwest
Def. No. 16 Northwestern State,
96-54
Def. No. 9 Charlotte, 79-61
Def. No. 4 Kansas, 80-64
Lost to No. 2 Arizona, 87-81
2002
Illini were a No. 4 seed in Midwest.
Def. No. 13 San Diego State,
93-64
Def. No. 12 Creighton, 72-60
Lost to No. 1 Kansas, 73-69
