[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, Monday night in Saint Louis a dream season 
came to an end. The University of Illinois was defeated for only the 
second time this season as they fell to the University of North 
Carolina Tar Heels. But as painful as the loss was, it does not detract 
from a remarkable season.
  Head coach Bruce Weber and his Illini should know there is nothing to 
be disappointed about. As much as I would have enjoyed seeing the 
Illini conclude their remarkable run with an NCAA championship, there 
is no doubting what the Illini have accomplished. The team tied an NCAA 
record with 37 victories. They made the first championship game 
appearance in the school's 100-year basketball history. They won 
regular-season and conference tournament Big 10 championships and were 
ranked first overall in the Associated Press poll since early in the 
season.
  If I could pick one word to describe the Illini this season, it would 
be ``team.'' Rarely has a group of young men worked together as well as 
the Illini has. After Illinois defeated Louisville 72 to 57 on Saturday 
evening, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said, ``I don't know if they 
necessarily had the greatest talent I've seen from a Final Four, but 
they're the best team I've seen in some time.''
  The Illini are the ultimate team, and that is the ultimate compliment 
to coach Weber and his players.
  Every man on the floor was capable of leading the team to victory, 
whether it was guards Dee Brown, Luther Head or Deron Williams, or 
forwards James Augustine or Roger Powell. Yet Illinois plays within 
head coach Bruce Weber's system and doesn't allow ego, personal 
statistical goals, or anything else to disrupt their teamwork.
  Unfortunately, they came up short against North Carolina. But the 
State of Illinois is proud of their Illini. An orange hue has been cast 
across the State as Illinoisans got behind the team for their NCAA 
tournament run. So many people have enjoyed this tournament and they 
won't soon forget where they were when the Illini shocked Arizona, or 
when Roger Powell slam-dunked the rebound from his own three-point shot 
against Louisville.
  I would like to congratulate B. Joseph White, who became the 
University's 16th president on January 31 of this year, and the 
administration, faculty, staff, student body, and fans of the 
University of Illinois on making it to the championship game of the 
2005 NCAA tournament.
  To the coaches, Illini players, and their families, thanks for the 
memories. Thanks for showing us what teamwork is all about.

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