Weigh in with Klee here

Had Brandon Paul's three-pointer found the mark, Saturday's game against Gonzaga would have gone down as the greatest for the Illini in their 41 games at the United Center. Here are the Top 10 wins, according to sports editor Jim Rossow:

No. 1

March 10, 2000

Illinois 72, Indiana 69

It looked like Illinois would lose in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament and Cory Bradford's three-point streak would end. But Illinois made a late stop and got the ball to Bradford, who buried his only three-pointer with 1.3 seconds left as the crowd of 21,141 went berserk.

No. 2

March 6, 1999

Illinois 79, Ohio State 77

Lon Kruger's last-place Illini nearly made the NCAAs in a Big Ten tournament run few will forget. Beating the 11th-ranked Buckeyes marked the third consecutive upset by Illinois, which rode 51 percent shooting and Cory Bradford's 17 points.

No. 3

Dec. 16, 2000

Illinois 81, Arizona 73

Cory Bradford was carried off the floor after setting an NCAA record by making a three-pointer in his 74th consecutive game. Afterward, Lute Olson ripped Lucas Johnson for his rough play in what was the second of three meetings between the powers in the 2000-01 season.

No. 4

March 12, 2005

Illinois 64, Minnesota 56

With Bruce Weber on the sidelines hours after the passing of his mother, the top-ranked Illini won the Big Ten tournament semifinal as all five starters scored in double figures. On an emotional afternoon, the Illini played with black bands on their jerseys to honor Dawn Weber.

No. 5

March 9, 2007

Illinois 58, Indiana 54 (OT)

Remember when Illinois never seemed to lose at the United Center? This overtime slugfest was the last of an 18-game win streak there. Warren Carter and Shaun Pruitt teamed for 33 points and 19 rebounds. The Illini are 1-3 in the gym since.

No. 6

March 13, 2005

Illinois 54, Wisconsin 43

The team celebrated its second Big Ten tournament title but clearly had its eyes on the next step – the NCAA tournament. Tourney MVP James Augustine had 12 points and nine rebounds and Roger Powell Jr. added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the 31-1 Illini.

No. 7

March 16, 2003

Illinois 72, Ohio State 59

Led by Big Ten tournament MVP Brian Cook and all-tourney selection Roger Powell Jr., Bill Self's Illini won their first conference tournament championship.

No. 8

Dec. 18, 1999

Illinois 84, Kansas 70

The eighth-ranked Jayhawks were no match for Lon Kruger's Illini as Marcus Griffin (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Cory Bradford (21 points) led the way.

No. 9

March 15, 2003

Illinois 73, Indiana 72

It took Brian Cook's free throws with 5.2 seconds left to subdue the Hoosiers, who had stormed back from a 16-point halftime hole in the Big Ten tourney semifinal.

No. 10

March 17, 2002

Illinois 72, Creighton 60

Bill Self's Illini clinched a spot in the Sweet 16 as Frank Williams and Brian Cook combined for 36 points and 10 rebounds.