Illini get a hero's reception back home

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- One last rally. One more chance for Illinois fans to show the team their appreciation for 37 victories and countless highlights this season.

So they turned out an estimated 20,000-strong, nearly filling one side of Memorial Stadium Tuesday to welcome their Illini home from St. Louis. Never mind that Illinois lost its last game, falling 75-70 to North Carolina in the national championship game Monday night.

The Illini finished the season 37-2, tying the NCAA single-season record for victories. Their success prompted Gov. Rod Blagojevich to declare Tuesday "Fighting Illini Day."

"What a ride! What a joy!" said Richard Herman, the school's interim chancellor. "These men have given us a season in the sun."

Debbi Danner of Homer and Jennifer Carleton of Broadlands took their children out of school early and arrived at the stadium more than two hours before it opened, just to get a good seat.

"We were here because this is history in the making, nothing they'll learn in school," Danner said, looking at the five chattering children gathered around her. "They have so much to be proud of and we wanted to come and cheer them on."

The crowd cheered at the first sight of the team bus and shouted with delight as each player was introduced. The roar reached its loudest with cheers of "BRUUUUCE, BRUUUUCE" when coach Bruce Weber walked to the center of the field with his wife, Megan, and two of their three daughters.

"I cried last night, not because we lost, but because this special journey, this special season, is over," Weber said looking up at the crowd. "And you guys have been part of it."

Players said they couldn't believe the turnout and thanked the crowd for the support the Illini enjoyed all season. Junior guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams were greeted with chants of "One more year!" by fans who don't want either to turn pro.

"This has been the best time of my life," Brown said. "I love the support and I love Champaign. I love Illinois."

Williams and Brown said after the rally they have made no decisions about pursuing the NBA, although Williams has said he intends to explore his draft potential.