Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#151      
Lordjimbo
Levise Fro said:
Luke Witte was involved in one of the biggest brawls in BIG TEN history. The Golden Gophers led by baseball HOF Dave Winfield and Illinois native Jim Brewer were the main culprits in a very ugly scene. Witte took a vicious knee to the groin, and all you know what broke out.
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Don’t think Winfield was involved at all. Clyde Turner from Champaign was. Thought Brewer was a by-stander. Turner was kicked off team - Brewer not. Winfield was added to the team for depth and was a pretty good player, if I remember right. He then led the Gophers to the College World Series title game pitching and hitting.
 
#152      
logjam
Any recruiting news?
Pride America GIF by enCOMPASS
 
#153      
altgeld88
Levise Fro said:
Luke Witte was involved in one of the biggest brawls in BIG TEN history. The Golden Gophers led by baseball HOF Dave Winfield and Illinois native Jim Brewer were the main culprits in a very ugly scene. Witte took a vicious knee to the groin, and all you know what broke out.
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Thanks. Coincidentally, I've been thinking of that brawl lately. It is, unfortunately, one of my earliest sports memories. January 25th will mark the 50th anniversary of it. I had just turned six at the time and had been into college football and basketball with my dad and older bother for a year or so. Luke Witte was my favorite player on that OSU team. I still remember the cover of the Columbus Citizen-Journal newspaper a couple days later, which contained photos of him and Mark Wager, who was also attacked. That was pretty disturbing to a little boy. The whole thing was ugly beyond belief. Dave Winfield did indeed play a major role in it for Minnesota and has steadfastly to acknowledge the event. Think the NCAA is feckless today? Minnesota got not even a slap on the wrist from Big Ten commish Wayne Duke.

The photo and article heading below are from Sports Illustrated Feb. 7, 1972.

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#161      
billybaroo
Homecoming 2019 said:
I'm struggling to think of an Illini comp for this kid. Anyone got a good one?
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I struggled as well. Best I could do was Robert Bennett, but that's solely based on build. Bennett was a better leaper, but didn't have near the skill around the basket. Rogers looks like a dawg and would be a great fit with our other two pups.
 
#165      
uofi7477
pruman91 said:
Spoon was one hell of a player....................
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Still can remember going to games in early 70's w my Father and hearing the crowd chant. "Spoon" after he made one. A pic of Nick is even part of my handle or whatever you call it.
 
#166      
BRucks
Levise Fro said:
Luke Witte was involved in one of the biggest brawls in BIG TEN history. The Golden Gophers led by baseball HOF Dave Winfield and Illinois native Jim Brewer were the main culprits in a very ugly scene. Witte took a vicious knee to the groin, and all you know what broke out.
Click to expand...

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#172      
logjam
billybaroo said:
I struggled as well. Best I could do was Robert Bennett, but that's solely based on build. Bennett was a better leaper, but didn't have near the skill around the basket. Rogers looks like a dawg and would be a great fit with our other two pups.
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Kenny Battle?
 
#173      
dbeaverfg
uofi7477 said:
Still can remember going to games in early 70's w my Father and hearing the crowd chant. "Spoon" after he made one. A pic of Nick is even part of my handle or whatever you call it.
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His senior year was 72/73 when I became an Illini fan and decided that was where I was going to go to school. Averaged 25 and 12.
 
#174      
chiefini
uofi7477 said:
Still can remember going to games in early 70's w my Father and hearing the crowd chant. "Spoon" after he made one. A pic of Nick is even part of my handle or whatever you call it.
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I had both basketball and football season tickets during my Illini tenure from ‘70-‘74. I was one of those chanting “Spoon.” The twin tower Nicks were very fun to watch. Not sure who Ty reminds me of. He’s built a little like Kenny, but can he fly like Kenny??? There are some glimpses in the above video…
 
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