How good was Illinois’ Roger Powell Jr. in the 2005 Final Four? As good as ever with his 18-point second half in the semifinals against Louisville. As good as he could be with a nine-point, 14-rebound effort in the final against North Carolina.
Alas, not quite good enough to climb one more ladder and cut down one more net. Eighteen years later, the No. 1-ranked Illini’s 75-70 loss to No. 2 North Carolina in St. Louis still doesn’t quite sit right with Powell, now 40. How could it?
