My Flying Illini , who remembers them ???

[flyingillini]

I remember these games like they were yesterday. Who else remembers this amazing team? Kenny Battle was my favorite 1989 Illinois Fighting Illini

Nick Anderson | Lowell Hamilton | Kendall Gill | Marcus Liberty | Kenny Battle | Stephen Bardo

Larry Smith | Andy Kaufmann | P.J. Bowman | Ervin Small | Brian O'Connell | Mike MacDonald | Matt Schnaderbeck | Eddie Manzke | Tyler Cottingham | Mark Shapland | Tom Sloan | Travis Smith | Mark Steinberg

Head Coach - Lou Henson

Record: 31-5

NCAA Tournament: (#1 seed in Midwest)
• Won Midwest First Round (77-71) vs #16 McNeese State
• Won Midwest Second Round (72-60) vs #9 Ball State
• Won Midwest Regional Semifinal (83-69) vs #4 Louisville
• Won Midwest Regional Final (89-86) vs #2 Syracuse
• Lost National Semifinal (83-81) vs #3 Michigan

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

When I was a kid, (like every kid) I collected trading cards. I had the complete set of ‘Rookie Sensations’ from that year with Nick Anderson, and the next year with Kendall Gill…..

 

[flyingillini]

When I was a kid, (like every kid) I collected trading cards. I had the complete set of ‘Rookie Sensations’ from that year with Nick Anderson, and the next year with Kendall Gill…..

View attachment 30987

I have an autographed shoe from Kendall gill. He was the man !!

 

[Wagerallsports]

I definitely remember Nick Anderson but more so with the Orlando Magic

 

[flyingillini]

I definitely remember Nick Anderson but more so with the Orlando Magic

He choked on the free throw line in the playoffs

 

[Brock Landers]

I tend to remember teams that won titles, not ones that lost in the final 4

 

[flyingillini]

I tend to remember teams that won titles, not ones that lost in the final 4

The 89 team would of beat the dee brown team

 

[edawg]

Fun team to watch. Believe they almost all were originally from the Chicago area. Basically they were the Fab 5 before the Fab 5.

 

[flyingillini]

Fun team to watch. Believe they almost all were originally from the Chicago area. Basically they were the Fab 5 before the Fab 5.

They were amazing !

 

[BobbyFK]

Before my time Illini

 

[stormtrooper8]

That 2005 team was damn good too

Went to their only loss before the title game, which was regular season finale at Ohio State

Matt Sylvester game winning shot for the Buckeyes ruined their undefeated year

 

[flyingillini]

That 2005 team was damn good too

Went to their only loss before the title game, which was regular season finale at Ohio State

Matt Sylvester game winning shot for the Buckeyes ruined their undefeated year

Yes and during their run the conversation came up with Illini fans who would win. It would of been great to see.

 

[flyingillini]

Before my time Illini

I know you are just a pup