Covers from the 2004-05 run to the Final Four 

Covers from the 2007 Illini's run to the Rose Bowl

Once a month, we'll take a look back at memorable Illini moments through the covers of News-Gazette sports sections.

Today: No one graced as many News-Gazette covers as Dee Brown, the face of Illinois basketball while he was helping win Big Ten titles and make NCAA tournament marches. Here are some of the most memorable:

– April 10, 2002: A star at Proviso East High School, Dee was an easy pick as News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year — and the head of a talented recruiting class. Link

— Oct. 20, 2002: Dee and Deron Williams would go on to do big things at Illinois. They didn't mind sharing point guard duties — or N-G covers. Link

— Jan. 5, 2003: We had no problems getting members of the Orange Krush to join Dee for a photo shoot on campus. Link

— March 21, 2003: Dee was pumped about his first NCAA tournament win — and Bill Self's final win as Illinois coach. Link

— Jan. 8, 2004: Dee and Co. showed hints of their Final Four potential during Bruce Weber's first season at Illinois. Link

— Feb. 26, 2004: Always animated, Dee was especially vocal during the UI's biggest win at Iowa since 1954. Link

— Dec. 2, 2004: Dee's reaction summed up the Illini's upset of Wake Forest — and rise to No. 1 in the next set of polls, where they'd stay the rest of the season. Link

— Jan. 23, 2005: Has there ever been an Illinois backcourt better than Dee, Deron and Luther? Didn't think so. Link

— Feb. 9, 2005: Dee was at his defensive best to keep Michigan at bay and Illinois at No. 1. Link

— March 4, 2005: Dee, Deron and Bruce Weber's magical Illini celebrated a Big Ten title before heading off to a tournament run few can forget. Link

— April 4, 2005: Dee in the locker room at the Edward Jones Dome after the NCAA title game loss to North Carolina. Link

— Nov. 9, 2005: The many faces of Dee as he embarked on his senior season at Illinois. Link

— Nov. 18, 2005: Dee was glad to slip on a Superman costume for the cover of our annual College Basketball Special Section. Link

— March 19, 2006: Dee walked off the court the final time as an Illini after an  upset loss to Washington in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Link