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Article: How does Illinois spell relief? NCAA: After sleepless night, Illini earn No. 12 seed, will face Virginia Tech
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- March 12, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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After a season marked by incredible lows, Illinois experienced
the opposite end of the spectrum Sunday when it sneaked into the
NCAA tournament as a No. 12 seed.
The Illini face fifth-seeded Virginia Tech at 6:10 p.m. Friday in
Columbus, Ohio.
"I'm just elated," coach Bruce Weber said. "I'm really excited
for the kids because it's been such a tough season. They could have
let people roll over them, and they didn't. They're very deserving
of getting in.
"Now we have to show it and play with the heart and determination
we've shown the last three weeks."
Illinois was one of six Big Ten teams to make the field, a
surprise considering all the talk that the conference was down. Only
the ...