Blast from the past what could have been Marcus Liberty-Syracuse

[SWC75]

Marcus Liberty was a freshman on that team and the first guy off the bench. If we had him, he wouldn't have started for us, either. Would his absence from Illinois tipped the scales? Who knows?

1988-89 Illinois Fighting Illini Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com (sports-reference.com)

He had 2 points and 3 rebounds in that game. But we only lost by 3:

Syracuse vs. Illinois Box Score, March 26, 1989 | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com (sports-reference.com)

 

[jncuse]

If I just look over the rosters and how Liberty improved between 1989 and 1990, it seems like Liberty could have made a fairly big difference on our 1990 team.

 

[orangefog]

It was 88-89. Illinois was a great college team. The only guy who ended up being a good pro was Nick Anderson but Kenny Battle, Lowell Hamilton, Steve Bardo and Liberty were all talented. Even though he didn’t score much in that game I think without Liberty we win as the Illinois bench was not good and Liberty was solid defensively and on the boards.

Kendall Gill was a good pro, as well.

 

[orangefog]

If I just look over the rosters and how Liberty improved between 1989 and 1990, it seems like Liberty could have made a fairly big difference on our 1990 team.

Marcus Liberty would have been like having two Billy Owens on the floor at the same time. Think about trying to guard that.

 

[Scott11]

Sir, I went to Illinois and the fact that you left out Kendall Gill is an atrocity!

All of you did maybe - this makes no senze

Just a terrible job by me.

 

[orangemass]

we were fine at . We had Coleman, Thompson, Owens and even Johnson could play there.

He would have sat the bench here

 

[kirbivore]

Ok. Maybe I'm thinking about 89-90.

Yes that was the Kenny Anderson bag drop season

 

[Ghost]

I remember that team having five guys that were all 6'6" and strong.

It really was a phenomenal team that likely is underrated - it was full up of strong, super athletic do-it-all types

They just need a bit more height - they were fun to watch though just like SU