The 2005 season opened with high expectations and the return of all the team 's starters . On December , 1 the Illini defeated the number-one ranked team , Wake Forest , 91 – 73 , at Assembly Hall . Weber sported a glowing orange blazer for the game , and Assembly Hall was painted orange by the 16,618 fans wearing school colors . The pressure grew for Weber as the victory vaulted the Illini to the top spot in the polls the following week , a spot they would carry for the rest of the season . Regular season perfection and their 29 – 0 record ended on the last game of the regular season , however , as Illinois lost a 12-point , second half lead to Ohio State and lost on a last second shot to the Thad Matta-coached Buckeyes , 65 – 64 . The Illini won the Big Ten regular season and Tournament titles
Tournament
2005 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Bruce Weber (basketball)