Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) blocks a shot in the first overtme period against Minnesota at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Sam Maniscalco (00) drives past Minnesota's Maverick Ahanmisi (13) in second half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) puts up a shot over Minnesota's Ralph Sampson III (50) in second half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) drives past Minnesota's Andre Hollins (1) in second half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) goes over Minnesota's Elliott Eliason (55) in the first overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Bruce Weber in first overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) goes baseline against Minnesota's Elliott Eliason (55) in the first overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Bruce Weber gathers his team at the end of the first overtime period against Minnesota at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) scores in the second overytime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois fans celebrate in the second overitme period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) and Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) slap hands as they waite for their interview after the game at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Bruce Weber waves to the fans as he leaves the arena in at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) is fouled by Minnesota's Rodney Williams (33) in the second overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois fans celebrate in the second overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) chases down Tracy Abrams (13) as time expires in the second overtime period at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Joseph Bertrand (2) and Nnanna Egwu (32) combine to block Minnesota's Andre Hollins' (1) shot in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) battles Minnesota's Elliott Eliason (55) for a rebound in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Sam Maniscalco (0) tries to boxout Minnesota's Rodney Williams (33) in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Bruce Weber calls out to his team from the sideline in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Bruce Weber confronts referee Ed Hightower during a timeout in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Meyers Leonard (12) rips down a rebound in front of Minnesota's Ralph Sampson III (50) in second half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois' Sam Maniscalco (0) hands the ball off in front of Minnesota's Maverick Ahanmisi (13) in second half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Bruce Weber talks to his team along the sideline in first half action at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011. Illinois beat Minnesota 81-72 in a double overtime thriller.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois fans enter the Assembly Hall in Champaign before the start of the Illinois vs. Minnesota basketball game on Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011.