As if the Interstate-74 rivalry between Illinois State and Bradley wasnt enough excitement in one weekend, the Redbird athletics department will be hosting a number of events surrounding the January 31 game, including a reunion of the 1982-85 mens basketball teams, which made three straight NCAA appearances.
Current head coach Porter Moser is looking forward bringing the former teams back to the Illinois State campus.
I grew up in this state and tradition is a big selling point of Illinois State basketball, Moser said. A lot of those traditions were started in that run in the 80s. To honor them during the Bradley game is a great thing. It is very important to me, because Im trying to return that type of attitude and swagger back to this program and they are the ones that started it. They set the tone for excellence.
With a 84-64 win over Tulsa in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship game in 1983, the Redbirds, coached by Bob Donewald, earned their first ever Division I NCAA Tournament appearance. The 1982-83 team finished the season with a 24-7 mark after losing the NCAA first round game to Ohio 51-49, in Tampa, Fla.
In 1984 the Redbirds returned to the Big Dance and claimed their first tournament win with a 49-48 victory over Alabama in Lincoln, Neb. Two days later, the Birds ended their season with another impressive 23-8 mark after a 75-61 loss to DePaul.
ISU made it three straight in 1985 and tallied another post-season victory after downing Southern California 68-55 in Tulsa, Okla. Not only did Illinois State have three straight NCAA appearances, it also had three consecutive 20-win seasons as the Birds finished the year with a 22-8 mark.
Former Illinois State guard Rickie Johnson, who was a member of all three NCAA Tournament teams, is looking forward to the event and has been involved in the organization.
I have spoken to many of the guys and each one is excited about coming back, Johnson said. This is going to be a great opportunity to see some of the guys that I havent seen in a long time. It will give us an opportunity to relive that time in our lives and share some stories. This is also an honor for this group to be recognized for something that has been labeled as the greatest era of Redbird basketball.
Johnsons teammate and fellow organizer of the event, Matt Taphorn, also agrees with the excitement that this generation of Redbird basketball created.
I feel fortunate to be associated with these teams, Taphorn said. The 1982-83 and 1983-84 teams are the reason I came to Illinois State. The energy and enthusiasm that surrounded those teams was unbelievable. Being a part of the 1984-85 team as a freshman was a unique experience and my favorite time at Illinois State because of all the success that we experienced.
On Friday, January 30, Illinois State head coach Porter Moser will host his second coaches luncheon and the members of the 1982-85 Redbird basketball teams have been invited. The luncheon is being held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington and will run from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 per person and can be purchased through The Redbird Club office at 309/438-3803.
Prior to the Bradley game, Horton Field House will host the Bradley Bash and the Taste of Redbird Country. The Bradley Bash features interactive games for kids of all ages, while the Taste of Redbird Country will allow the fans to sample a variety of food from local restaurant vendors.
The game between Illinois State and Bradley tips off at 4:05 p.m., with the 1982-85 Redbird teams being honored at halftime.
