sentences:  The top-seeded and top-ranked 1989 Illini were upset 83–81 in the Final Four on a last second basket by Michigan's Sean Higgins, ending the school's deepest run in the tournament at that time.Illinois had beaten the Wolverines by 12 and 16 points in two previous meetings that season.The 1988–89 Illinois Fighting Illini team gained the moniker ""Flyin' Illini"" by Dick Vitale during an ESPN broadcast that season.