Bayless Overcomes Slow Start, Puts Illini Away In OT

It was never pretty, but Arizona's defeat of Illinois in Chicago was certainly entertaining. The Wildcats were downright dreadful in the game's opening minutes, but hey, time differences are a bitch! After being held scoreless for nearly five minutes Lute Olsen's Kevin O'Neill's squad regrouped and began to work their way back into the game. Finally, with 55 seconds left in regulation, Jordan Hill (23 and 14) gave Arizona their first lead of the game. Illinois couldn't do much of anything right down the stretch before ultimately falling 78-72 in overtime. Jerryd Bayless had 20 points, including some key free throws down the stretch. Shawn Pruitt had 24 and 9 for the Illini, who might have hung on had the referee noticed Nic Wise calling a phantom timeout.

• Sometimes Caracter isn't enough. The 11th ranked Louisville Cardinals never found their stroke and found themselves incapable of containing Dayton's second baseman combo guard, Brian Roberts. The senior torched Louisville on 10-17 from the field, finishing with 28 points. No other Flyer joined Roberts in double digits but in the end it didn't matter. Derrick Caracter had 16 and 7 in the 60-65 defeat.

• A good day to be me. I may have dropped out of Arizona, but I also dropped out of Pitt! My Panthers (first love) were 1/10th of a second from losing to the Washington Huskies. Justin Dentmon's would-be game winner was still on his fingertips as time expired in regulation. Big freshman DeJuan Blair was beastly with 16 and 14, one of four Panthers in double figures. Pitt won 75-74.