Valparaiso’s double-overtime victory over Purdue on Friday night shocked the world and gave Illinois fans good feelings, with former Illini teammates Roger Powell and Bruce Weber speaking on the Big Ten Network while giving Brad Underwood’s 2-0 squad a blueprint for beating the Boilermakers.
Good feelings have spread beyond the court this season as well. “The video starts the goosebumps immediately,” John Fanta wrote on social media.
The Beacons traveled to West Lafayette for what was billed as a routine buy game for Purdue, one intended to prepare the Boilermakers for tougher competition. The Beacons had other things in mind.
If you haven’t seen Bruce Weber interview his former player Roger Powell yet, it’s what makes sports great. Powell was a starter on Weber’s Illinois national runner-up team in 2005. Last night, they talked after Powell’s Valpo team stunned Purdue. pic.twitter.com/fm6WUVj0aW
The postgame scene carried extra weight because the Big Ten Network assigned Bruce Weber—Powell’s former head coach at Illinois—to call the upset and interview him courtside. Weber interviewing former player Powell shows what makes sports great, Fanta noted. Powell spent four seasons at Illinois, his final two under Weber, and started on the 2005 national runner-up team.
Last night, they talked after Powell’s Valpo team stunned Purdue. During the broadcast, Weber recalled how the two had been part of special moments at Mackey Arena, including when Illinois clinched the Big Ten regular-season title there in March 2004, before discussing Powell’s massive win for his own program. This clip gives Illinois fans good feelings about the past, Fanta added.
In 2003-04, Illinois won the Big Ten regular season, entered the NCAA tournament and made the Sweet 16. The following season, the Illini won both the Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships, forging a path to the NCAA championship game before falling just short to North Carolina.
“You must be happy for Powell and his accomplishments with Valpo,” Fanta wrote. “Powell is showing Illinois what we will face in 2026-27.” Powell offers a clearer view of what lies ahead for Illinois. Valparaiso’s tape shows Underwood exactly what a different Purdue team looks like and how to take it down, which will help greatly when those January and February dates arrive.
Powell climbed the ranks after college, reaping rewards for his work. “This was an awesome moment to watch,” Fanta added, “with nothing but good feelings coming from Illini Nation.” Whether that blueprint holds up when the rivals meet in the Big Ten remains the open question.
Former Illinois coach Bruce Weber interviews his former player Roger Powell, who coached Valparaiso to the upset win over Purdue at Mackey Arena. Powell was the starting power forward for Illinois' 2005 Final Four team. "Are you proud of me?" asked Powell pic.twitter.com/pQxFevMoGI
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