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“I can’t believe we just won that game.”

I just kept repeating it. I was in shock. In a way, two hours later, I still am. I can’t believe that Illinois was down 15 points to Arizona with four minutes left in the game and came back to force overtime, then win the game in OT. It’s unbelievable. Holy shit, man. Holy shit.

This is one of those moments where words don’t convey the feeling and shock. It’s crazy. With ten minutes left in the game and the Illini faltering, I started mentally preparing myself for a loss. With six minutes left, I’d gone over the season’s great moments. I wanted to be positive about the season, knowing that I’ll be unhappy most of the time if I subscribe to the philosophy that anything short a championship is a failure.

And then, with four minutes left, the miracle began.

It was a blur. Steals. Three-pointers. Deron Williams was a man among boys. Luther Head, hamstring injury and all, was draining shots. Jack Ingram, Mr. Clutch in the win over Wisconsin in Madison, was Mr. Clutch in forcing the final Arizona turnover.

When regulation ended with the game tied at 80, I was in shock. Utter shock. “I can’t believe this game. I can’t believe this game.” I just kept repeating it.

The crowd was carrying an exhausted Illinois team. Allstate Arena was rocking. Illinois landed the first blows in OT, then held on as Arizona mounted a late OT charge of their own. The Wildcats had a shot at the end, down one with 13 seconds to go. Their last play never developed. A desperation three-pointer from Hassan Adams careened wildly off the backboard, and the comeback was complete.

Champaign-Urbana is in shock. The Illini Nation is in shock. I am in shock. It’s clear from our reaction. Is this a team of destiny? It sure seems like it.