20th anniversary of Andy Kaufmann's shot vs Iowa

[Dan]

Feb 4, 1993 - Illinois 78, #9 Iowa 77

[-josh-]

I know exactly where i was and what i was doing when he made that shot...boy was i young to. Some things you just never forget.

[HeartofaChampion]

I saw the shot from the A section. Unbelievable experience.

[illini1]

I wish I would have appreciated it more when Andy and his brothers would come to my high school basketball practices and scrimmage against us. It the year after his eligibility ran out. Man he was good!

[trevdv]

Is that Steve Kelly on the call?

[illini80]

Yes it was Steve Kelly and Doug Altenberger. What a memory. Thanks Dan!

[HsvIllini]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

I saw the shot from the A section. Unbelievable experience.

I saw it from C and yes, it was an unbelievable experience!

[illini1]

Also, I believe that was the first year of the ESPY's and Andy was nominated for one for that shot.

[PeoriaIllini1]

thanks dan i needed that!

[illinicb]

I have to admit that I never really enjoyed watching Andy play. I'll always take a win against Iowa though. I liked Andy's heart and grit, but he just frustrated the crap out of me. BP makes me feel that way now although without the grit.

[mdonsbach]

I am pretty sure that is when I fell in love with Illini basketball.

[gailmoore1949]

great video Dan. I have the priviledge of knowing Andy and his family pretty well. He now has kids of his own that are pretty good too. I loved watching him during his high school career and at Illinois. Just saw him at the Lanphier and Jacksonville game this week. It is a real treat to go to the bowl and see all of his records posted in their hall of fame. He was the best high school player I ever watched ( several 50 point games ) including one against Laphonso Ellis and East Saint Loius when they were # 1 in the state. I wish there was a better history between him and Lou, but we could sure use a player like him today. Thanks for the memories Dan! It is funny now when you look at his percentages, but they were better than most of the guys we have now, and at least he could get to the basket with the ball without losing it?

[Foo G]

Could Kaufmann dunk a ball?
I don't ever recall him doing it at Illinois.
I think he might have been one of the strongest guys I've ever seen wear an Illini uniform.
How cool would it be to have seen Kaufmann go up against Sergio?
It's one of those Illini dream matchups for me along with the '89, '01, and '05 teams all going head to head.
He was an incredible rebounder, mostly due to his strength and ability to carve out space and the fact that he wasn't able get off the floor as high as most other players -- he could jump 3-4 times to everyone else's 1.

[LouAlcinder]

Originally Posted by -josh-

I know exactly where i was and what i was doing when he made that shot...boy was i young to. Some things you just never forget.

Yep, my wife was in labor and I had the TV on in the hospital room. Almost jumped out of my seat when he made the shot and the nurse gave me a dirty look.

Just reminded by wife this morning and she still isn't happy that I watched a game that night. Oh, and I wished by daughter a happy 20th birthday and told her what a great shot it was!

[Psycho 86]

I was telling my best friend on the phone that we were about to lose to Iowa . Then in middle of the sentence I just started screamin "He made it, he made it !!" Great memory !!

[Botb9]

Kaufmann was legendary in his (and my) hometown of Jacksonville. I think he's still #2 in points scored in the state.

[illinichick]

I needed that after yesterday. Thanks Dan!

[Gill13]

What ever happened to Andy? Where is he now?

[illini1]

Originally Posted by Gill13

What ever happened to Andy? Where is he now?

When I was in college I know he was working at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. My literary society in college hat a Halloween party for the kids there and Andy was one of the employees that would bring the kids over. On a side note, when I was in college Andy's future wife rented an apartment from my parents that was attached to our house. I would see him quite often whenever I went home for a weekend or breaks. I believe he's living in Winchester now, which is where he's originally from. I heard he was working at Illinois College in the custodial/facilities department, but I don't know if that's the case.

[Buster]

Thank you, thank you very much.

[URH Snyder 490]

This is great, and much needed. Thanks Dan

[jasonu]

I was there. I stormed the court from sec B. I managed to give Lou a high 5 in all the chaos. I am old. lol.

Probably the best game I've seen in person (not having attended the '05 Arizona game - best one I've watched on TV).

[Alfonz24]

I just noticed, but our bench was at the end we scored. When did we switch ends over the last 20 years?

[Lovethechief78]

Originally Posted by gailmoore1949

great video Dan. I have the priviledge of knowing Andy and his family pretty well. He now has kids of his own that are pretty good too. I loved watching him during his high school career and at Illinois. Just saw him at the Lanphier and Jacksonville game this week. It is a real treat to go to the bowl and see all of his records posted in their hall of fame. He was the best high school player I ever watched ( several 50 point games ) including one against Laphonso Ellis and East Saint Loius when they were # 1 in the state. I wish there was a better history between him and Lou, but we could sure use a player like him today. Thanks for the memories Dan! It is funny now when you look at his percentages, but they were better than most of the guys we have now, and at least he could get to the basket with the ball without losing it?

Sounds like there were issures between him and Lou? Can you elaborate?

[MTILLINOIS]

What a game that was.