Brett Flashnick - AP

3 months ago: Illinois forward Mike Davis, back, the leading scorer, is congratulated by teammates Dominique Keller, left and Bill Cole, right, after Illinois' 76-74 victory over Clemson in an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at Littlejohn Colliseum, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

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Oh what is there is there to be said about this game? Other than of course that this was the greatest comeback for an Illinois team ever, that it was as improbable of a comeback as there could be and that I have not had this much fun watching a basketball since Arizona in 2005.

I cannot stress enough  just how bad the Illini looked in the first half. With Demetri sitting on the bench with fouls in the first half, the freshmen wilted under the pressure of Clemson. The Illini seemed to turn the ball over on their end every trip down the court, and give up a foul on every defensive stand. Bad passes, offense not getting set, and a lazy defense giving up long 3's.

Then it all switched around, the key being Demetri McCamey coming back into the game. Although the stat line only shows 7 assists, Demetri provided the leadership that carried the Illini back into this game. He had poise under the pressure and was able to break the Clemson defense down with his skillful passing.

DMAC provided the grit and leadership, Brandon Paul and Mike Davis provided the fireworks, as each went over 20 points on the night. Davis always seemed to be on the money from inside the arc, and Paul, well he only made some of the most acrobatic and amazing drives to the basket I have seen from an Illini in some time.

D.J. Richardson and Mike Tisdale, once they had their feet back under them came to life in the second half, providing 14 and 12 points respectively. Tisdale even had what has to be the slowest ball fake and drive I have ever seen, the basket that would prove to be the game winner.

A last note. I am very impressed with the way that Bruce switched to a zone in the second half, something he is loathe to do, and even more impressed that the Illini took to it without thinking twice. Bruce does not run zone, ever. But tonight that tough zone may have been the key to the Illini pulling this one out, as they held the Tigers to 20 points less in the second half than the first.

Good game guys, and thank you for being the victory that would prove decisive in delivering the Big Ten their first Challenge title. Maybe now we can give the Midwest a little round ball cred?