Illinois Just Tries to Cool Its Heels

Life under the spotlight has been fine for Illinois, which continued to play it cool Saturday after defeating Louisville, 72-57, in the Final Four at the Edward Jones Dome.

Illinois maintained its business-as-usual approach when it qualified for its first national championship game in 100 years of college basketball at Champaign, Ill.

And even matching the NCAA record for victories in a season didn’t change the tone of things for the Fighting Illini, who have been all about one goal all season.

Illinois is locked on winning the national title, and its other accomplishments are simply rungs on a ladder.

They’re almost at the top, and their climb reaches its peak Monday against North Carolina, which defeated Michigan State, 87-71, in the other semifinal.

Don’t focus on what the Illini have done, because they’ve already moved on to what they want most.

“We just [want] to keep going,” said guard Luther Head, who matched forward Roger Powell Jr. in scoring a game-high 20 points.

“I mean, we feel good about what we did and what we’ve accomplished, but we don’t want it to end ... we can finish it off.”

Finishing things well has defined the Illini’s remarkable run to the top of the national rankings, its Big Ten Conference season and tournament titles, and a dramatic overtime victory against Arizona in the Chicago Regional final after trailing by 15 points with only four minutes remaining.

Defense has been their other signature trait.

No team has played it tighter this season, and All-American guards Dee Brown, Head and Deron Williams provide intensity. Defense has helped Illinois (37-1) to pull even with Duke, which twice won 37 games, and Nevada Las Vegas atop college basketball’s victory chart.

It was again among the keys Saturday as Illinois pleased its many Orange-clad fans among a crowd of 47,754.

Louisville (33-5) shot 38.9%, including 30% on three-point tries, and Williams often was the focus of their appreciation.

After harassing Arizona guard Salim Stoudamire, the nation’s best shooter, into a two-for-13 performance in the Illini’s stirring Elite Eight victory, Williams volunteered to guard Louisville forward Francisco Garcia, a dynamic scorer who had averaged a team-leading 16 points.

Garcia had four points against Illinois.

Williams repeatedly cut him off, put a hand in his face and simply wouldn’t go away despite being drained from the chase, playing 38 minutes and running the offense. Garcia missed eight of 10 shots, including four three-point attempts.

Upset about not being selected the Big Ten defensive player of the year last season, Williams is still channeling his anger in the right direction.

“What we found, as the season progressed, was that if he’s on somebody that’s good with the basketball, he concentrates,” Illinois Coach Bruce Weber said. “If it’s a good player, he really takes pride in stopping them.

“He’s almost worse when we put him on the fourth- or fifth-best guy. That’s when he relaxes, he loses sight of his man and the ball, and he gives up easy baskets. He’s a smart player. He’s got a big body. He just never let Francisco get going.”

Williams also had a game-high nine assists and five rebounds. He scored only five points, but his overall performance was a net gain for the Illini.

“I want the challenge,” Williams said. “I want the other team’s toughest offensive player. Basically, I try not to let them get anything.”

Williams isn’t alone in seeking responsibility among this bunch.

A willingness to accept the toughest defensive assignment, take the key shot, or do whatever Weber requests, are among the things that separate the Illini from the pack.

Powell, who played only five minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, again responded when needed, scoring 18 of his 20 points after halftime. He scored 12 of Illinois’ first 14 points in the second half, including a stirring slam dunk off his missed shot that energized the Illini and their fans.

Just another moment on a thrilling ride that continues Monday.

“I understand it’s 47,000 [people], but we’ve been on center stage all year,” Weber said. “We’ve been No. 1. We’ve had some of the best rated games on different networks all year. Everyone’s watched us.”

“Just blank it out now. ... That’s something that was emphasized.”

One step away from a potential national title, Illinois is cool.