Sports Channel

The Return of Mr. G

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Together again! Boz & the returning Mr. G. welcome back Mark Tupper, Executive Sports Editor of the Decatur Herald & Review, who dishes on how the conference season is shaping up.Then - Herb Gould from the Sun-Times checks in for a roundtable discussion on the state of the football program. And in our 2nd Hour - the Flying Illini\'s Ken Battle - live in studio!

Episode Segments

TALKING ILLINI 1/12 HOUR 1

Mark Tupper shares his take on the lopsided victory over Indiana, and what the Illini needs to do to claim a victory over Michigan later this week. Then, Herb Gould joins the conversation as they take a long hard look at the state of Ron Zook\'s football program, and what needs to happen to take it to the next level.

TALKING ILLINI 1/12 HOUR 2

Illini legend Ken Battle from the Flying Illini johns Boz and Mr. G in studio to share memories of his playing days and his thoughts on the current program and recruits.

Kenny talks about some standout players on his AAU squad, KB Hoops, and why AAU competition is a positive influence on young men.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Kenny Battle

Kenneth R. \\\"Kenny\\\" Battle was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round (27th overall) of the 1989 NBA Draft and then traded on draft day to the Phoenix Suns along with Micheal Williams in exchange for the Suns\\\' first round draft choice (24th overall pick), Anthony Cook. Battle played in 4 NBA seasons for the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. His best year as a pro came during the 1991-92 NBA season when he split time with the Suns and Nuggets, appearing in 56 games and averaging 6.1 ppg. Prior to that, he competed in the NBA\\\'s 1990 slam dunk contest. Battle played collegiately at the University of Illinois. Battle was a transfer from Northern Illinois, played but 2 seasons (87-88 and the 88-89 Final Four year) and became an Illini legend thru his hustle, tenacity, and dunking. The Illini\\\'s end-of-year hustle award is named after him. He also was a one time member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Herb Gould

Herb Gould has covered Illini athletics for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 15 years. He also has written about the Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs, White Sox and Notre Dame extensively for the Sun-Times. A Chicago native, he holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern

Mark Tupper

Mark Tupper is the Executive Sports Editor of the Decatur Herald & Review and has covered Illini football and basketball for the past 25 years.
He wrote the book \\\"Through My Eyes: The Greatest Season in Illini History,\\\" with basketball coach Bruce Weber and has written a book for young readers about the life of former Illini basketball star Brian Cook. He co-hosts a weekly radio show, \\\"Sports Night Decatur\\\" each Thursday and does other on-air work for radio station WSOY (1340 AM, Decatur).

Friday • March 20

CST 9:11 | EST 10:11 | MST 8:11 | PST 7:11 | GMT 6:11

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