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Overall #1 Seed: The 04/05 Illini team won 29 straight before losing their last regular season game by a single point in the final seconds at tOSU. They were, by far, the most resilient team of the decade, erasing two 15 point deficits in the 2005 tourney alone. Illini guards Deron Williams/Dee Brown/Luther Head were beyond strong with the ball. John Wooden complimented this team as 'the best motion offense I've ever seen'. 'Paint' proved to be their lone vulerability, exasperated when leaper/defender Brian Randle was sidelined by injury. Illini fans sadly/angrily recall James Augustine fouling out in the title game after a mere 8 minutes of action by what CBS announcer Billy Packard described as 'touch fouls - not a single one of them hard'. The 04/05 Illinois team was within a handful of points/fouls from a perfect season, earning Bruce Weber the 04/05 'Coach of the Year' honors. PROGNASTICATORS: SIGN UP HERE TO PLAY MARCHPOOL; WE WILL EMAIL YOUR BRACKETS IN MARCH |