Stephen Bardo

Next Chapter Forward - Coaching Diaspora Men seeking Dignity, Peace, and Safety

[Mike Pearson @illinilegends]

Happy 58th Birthday to @IlliniMBB alum Larry Smith. He resides in his hometown of Alton, Ill. @AltonAthletics

[Mike Pearson @illinilegends]

Happy 87th Birthday on Monday (May 4) is @IlliniMBB Hall of Famer Mannie Jackson. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. @Globies @Edwardsville618

[Stephen Bardo @stephenbardo]

Happy Birthday Lowell! Flyin’ Illini

[Mike Pearson @illinilegends]

Turning 60 on Sunday (May 3) is former @IlliniMBB star Lowell Hamilton. @lowellhamilton5 now is a physical education teacher and the assistant athletics director at Tallulah Falls High School in northeast Georgia. @AthleticsTFS @TFS1909 @KendallG13 @KennyBattle33 @stephenbardo

[B/R Hoops @brhoops]

Illinois commit Quentin Coleman took home MVP honors at the 2026 Iverson Classic 🔥

Coleman finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds.

[OptaSTATS @OptaSTATS]

Ayo Dosunmu of the @Timberwolves is the first player in NBA history with:

40+ points
75% FG shooting
5+ threes without a miss
10+ FT without a miss

...in any game (regular season or playoffs, off the bench or not).

[Tommy Beer @TommyBeer]

The youngest player in NBA history with
more than 25 points, more than 10 rebounds, more than 5 assists and multiple made three-pointers in a playoff game is….
Lebron James at age 21

The oldest player in NBA history with
more than 25 points, more than 10 rebounds, more than 5 assists and multiple made three-pointers in a playoff game is….
Lebron James at age 41

We never see anyone like LeBron ever again in our lifetimes

Appreciate greatness.

[Kendall Gill @KendallG13]

True story!! I-L-L 🧡💙

[Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello]

BREAKING: Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has committed to Duke, he told ESPN. Blackwell, who averaged 19.1 points and earned All-Big Ten honors, was the best guard to enter the portal this spring. Duke needed a big-time scorer and it just landed the best one on the market.

[Nathan @PFGNathan]

I don’t think Illinois fans know the motion this basketball program has right now..

- Elite 8 in 2024
- Final 4 in 2026
- Keaton Wagler headed to being a top-7 NBA Draft pick
- Ayo Dosunmu is one of the better role players in the NBA
-Will Riley has played like an All-Rookie
- Kasparas starting for the Heat and shooting 42% from 3PT
- Terrence Shannon Jr going off for Minnesota recently

This program is in a VERY good spot

[Mike Pearson @illinilegends]

Happy 62nd Birthday on Thursday to @IlliniMBB grad Bruce Douglas. He is now a minister at Walking in Grace Community Church in Plainfield, Ill. @QHSBASKETBALL https://t.co/YKq88mwdxN

[Illinois Men's Basketball @IlliniMBB]

Keaton Wagler
John R. Wooden Award All-America Team

[The Field of 68 @TheFieldOf68]

"Do people fully understand how insane Illinois fans are? And they're the beautiful kind of insane. They are going to show up in Indy in DROVES. I can't wait."

@RobDauster on the crowds he's pumped up to see in Indy! 👀

🎥: https://t.co/gIN11lnKeh

[Dave Wischnowsky @wischlist]

Pick your own Starting 5 from among the starters for each of the 1989, 2005, and 2026 Illini Final Four teams:

GUARDS: Bardo, Gill, Brown, Williams, Head, Wagler, Boswell

FORWARDS: Battle, Anderson, Powell, Mirkovic, Davis

CENTERS: Hamilton, Augustine, T. Ivisic

[Mike Pearson @illinilegends]

• Congrats to @CoachUnderwood 's 2025-26 @IlliniMBB team, the sixth squad in Illinois history to make it to the Final Four.

[Stephen Bardo @stephenbardo]

This is false. The Spanish and French league teams would have their way with college teams

[Brian Rauf @brauf33]

College basketball is the second best professional league in the world

[Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein]

There is no greater pressure for a coach than the Elite Eight.

One win away from immortality.

One win away from an exclusive club.

The most pressure packed 40 minutes in college basketball.

This is March.

[Our Esquina @OurEsquina]

With a positive, optimistic outlook forged by humble beginnings and a near-death shooting, Illinois associated head coach Orlando Antigua counts his blessings helping Illinois at Elite 8.
#MarchMadness #NCAATournament @CoachOantigua #LatinoExcellence 🇩🇴
https://t.co/qMitGlNvJy

[Red Hat Cat @Scott_Terrell]

On Saturday, Arizona will be playing for its first trip to the Final Four since 2001 under Lute Olson.

The same day, Iowa will be playing for its first trip to the Final Four since 1980, when it was coached by Lute Olson.