BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Bogie Redmon carved out a small backup position for Illinois’ 1963 Huge Ten champion staff. The third of three sophomores to see the flat that season behind their classmates Tal Brody and Skip Thoren.
Two years later, Redmon was a centerpiece on Illini’s entrance court docket alongside Thoren and Don Freeman. Considered one of 5 double-digit scorers for an Illinois staff that might mild up opponents. Like within the first sport of the 1964-65 season when Illini crushed the eventual UCLA nationwide champions.
Redmon, 77, died Monday, however not with out leaving an enduring legacy on each his Illinois teammates and his hometown of Collinsville.
“He was variety to everybody and really humble contemplating all of his accomplishments and his really legendary introduced profession at Collinsville Excessive College,” stated Jim Dawson. The previous Illinois guard was Redmon’s teammate and frat brother.
“Heat, pleasant and good-hearted,” Dawson continued. “I am unable to say sufficient about him.”
Redmon was a highschool All-American in his senior 12 months at Collinsville after main the Kahoks to a 32-Zero undefeated season, a state championship after which a nationwide championship. He had 31 factors within the 1961 state championship sport, an 84-50 thrashing of Thornton at Huff Gymnasium.
“He was forward of his time, particularly in highschool,” stated former Illinois guard Invoice Small, who was in his senior 12 months when Redmon made his sophomore debut in 1962-63. “He was a person who performed with youngsters as a result of he was massive and robust. He was the identical three years later in faculty. He was a superb teammate and a superb particular person. He was a fantastic man, very personable and bought alongside nicely with everybody. “
Redmon averaged 9.2 factors and 5.eight rebounds in his three-year profession at Illinois. The 6-foot-6 ahead shined as a senior, scoring 15.2 factors and eight rebounds per sport.
“It bought higher yearly,” Dawson stated. “He was a fantastic shooter. He actually was a superb shot. He would shortly get to the free throw line space and take 15 foot soar pictures after which transfer down the wing and take 18 to 20 foot pictures. It was a excessive scoring staff. It was a nationally labeled staff. It truly is an emotion and a pleasure for all of us to be a part of it. “
Redmon additionally competed in monitor and area throughout his time in Illinois. He was the Huge Ten champion on puck in his senior 12 months in 1965 with a profitable pitch of 167 ft three inches. Redmon was chosen within the 10th spherical of the 1965 NBA Draft, however finally determined to affix his father within the insurance coverage enterprise in Collinsville.
Redmon was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Affiliation Corridor of Fame in 1973. An induction to the Illinois Basketball Corridor of Fame adopted in 2015.
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Jacob Grandison wasn’t “the man” from Holy Cross. The 6-6 ahead did forge a key position because the Crusaders’ third-leading scorer in his freshman 12 months. A job that grew into “the boy” of what turned out to be coach Invoice Carmody’s final staff in his sophomore 12 months.
Grandison’s transfer to Illinois meant her position was going to vary. I needed to be a part of a staff with guys like Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn. And Grandison has made it work, touchdown his third straight begin Tuesday evening at Indiana and offering the identical sort of rush and vitality performs he introduced when he got here off the bench moderately within the early months of the season.
“I’ve a variety of vitality to present,” Grandison stated. “I believe it is the most effective ways in which I will help affect this staff and assist us win. … Earlier than, I needed to be the man to attain the ball, and that was my position.
“Now I’ve purchased myself, I’ve found and I proceed to be taught that I’ve that staff that I’m starting to make the most of and I don’t get drained. I’ve at all times been in good condition. My conditioning has at all times been good and I take delight in it. It is one other instrument that I discovered in my instrument belt and can proceed to make use of it. “
Grandison’s transfer to the beginning lineup has additionally resulted in a rise in enjoying time. It was all a part of the method of determining how I might finest contribute. It’s not a brief course of both.
“It did not occur within the first sport,” Grandison stated. “We’re in February now. It’s a course of partly that absolutely engages with the coach’s philosophies and every part he preaches, and simply leans on their coaching and understands what is required. Typically you simply should do what you need to do. “
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What Grandison normally does at a excessive stage is bounce. Each his offensive and defensive rebounding charges are at profession highs in comparison with his first two seasons at Holy Cross.
“It was a ache within the butt final 12 months attempting to maintain him away,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood stated of Grandison’s absence season, the place he was an actual problem for the scouting staff. “It’s a robust block. It goes each time. I believe his hit price is round 90 p.c in his final seven video games when it comes to hitting the glass. “
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Tuesday evening’s sport in Indiana was Illinois’s first on the highway since its Jan. 7 journey to Northwestern. Illini’s two COVID-19-related postponements final month have been highway video games towards Nebraska and Michigan State. Meaning, in the event that they reschedule, Illinois might find yourself enjoying seven of its final 10 video games exterior of the State Farm Middle.
“It’s what it’s,” Underwood stated, utilizing a phrase he does not like however has used probably the most this season within the midst of a pandemic.
“We can’t management the truth that the 2 video games we misplaced have been away video games,” he continued. “It was only a coincidence that approach. It isn’t that enjoying on the highway this 12 months is as tough a job as it could have been up to now with out the crowds. I do not even care, to be sincere. “
Dwelling court docket benefit has modified within the Huge Ten this season, not less than just a little, with attendance strictly restricted to video games. Whereas some groups enable a small variety of followers, together with Indiana, state protocols in Illinois have meant a virtually empty State Farm Middle.
“Each dwelling sport is sort of an away sport,” Underwood stated. “You simply stroll in and the paint on the ground is a unique shade.”
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The truth that Trent Frazier was not included on the midseason watch record for Naismith’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months award final week upset Underwood. Actually.
The Illinois senior guard wasn’t that thrilled, both, however tried to get an summary.
“Clearly that is irritating as a result of I do know what I can do on that aspect of basketball,” Frazier stated. “I take it personally each evening, whoever my match is, whoever my task is. I simply attempt to exit and do my job for 40 minutes. My teammates imagine in me defending the very best participant on the opposite staff. … It is a greater objective proper now. I simply wish to assist my staff win. “
SCOTT RICHEY
