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General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: Reacher on February 21, 2024, 10:53:06 AM

Title: Wins vs #1
Post by: Reacher on February 21, 2024, 10:53:06 AM
Heard Creighton had their first ever victory over a #1 and it got me wondering how many we have. My memory for this stuff isn’t what it used to be; I’m also not a great Illini historian, especially pre mid 80s.

Two that come to mind:

Wake Forest 2004
Tyler Griffey Indiana

What else?
Title: Re: Wins vs #1
Post by: frankiew on February 21, 2024, 11:38:20 AM
79 against Michigan st
Title: Re: Wins vs #1
Post by: Reacher on February 21, 2024, 12:25:10 PM
Forgot that one. A little before my time though. Is that it?
Title: Re: Wins vs #1
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 21, 2024, 05:33:23 PM
Forgot that one. A little before my time though. Is that it?
The Illini beat defending champion UCLA by about 25 in 64-65 season but unsure if UCLA was ranked #1 at the time. They did win it all again in 1965.
Title: Re: Wins vs #1
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 21, 2024, 06:31:55 PM
The Illini beat defending champion UCLA by about 25 in 64-65 season but unsure if UCLA was ranked #1 at the time. They did win it all again in 1965.

#2 at the time

Preston Pierson of NFL fame was on the 65-66 team and blocked a sky-hook of Lew Alcindor's. He later was drafted by the Colts after never playing a down of football in college.  !!!!!!, pretty amazing when you think of it., appeared in 3 different Super Bowls with 3 teams (Shula/Landry/Knoll) according to Wiki
Title: Re: Wins vs #1
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 21, 2024, 11:22:20 PM
#2 at the time

Preston Pierson of NFL fame was on the 65-66 team and blocked a sky-hook of Lew Alcindor's. He later was drafted by the Colts after never playing a down of football in college.  !!!!!!, pretty amazing when you think of it., appeared in 3 different Super Bowls with 3 teams (Shula/Landry/Knoll) according to Wiki
I remember watching that game with the blocked shot. Don't remember the block but remember UCLA winning like 120-82.
Pearson would get the assignment of trying to slow down Cazzie Russell when playing Michigan.  Quite the athlete.