Next: 1986: Nick Anderson
The string of McDonald’s All American took a two year hiatus for Illinois basketball. That all ended when the Illini pulled in another big time recruit in Lowell Hamilton in 1985.
That 1985-86 season for the Illini had three McDonald’s All-Americans playing on it. This season was the final one for both Douglas and Winters, but the first in a good career for Hamilton.
In the first year with the program, Hamilton played a reserve role. The team had some pretty solid talent on it and there wasn’t a ton of room for playing time.
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Hamilton managed to play in 24 games and averaged 3.7 PPG and 1.7 RPG. The Illini were ousted in the second round of the tournament that year.
The following year Hamilton gained a starting role, but despite making the tournament Illinois was upset in the first round 68-67 by No. 14 seed Austin Peay. Hamilton managed to put up 10.8 PPG and 3.9 RPG, but that upset was massive.
Illinois once again made it back to the tournament the following season but Hamilton was shuffled to the back and was in a reserve role again. He was joined by a plethora of talented players.
The Illini made it to the second round of the tournament that year and Hamilton averaged 10 PPG and 3.8 RPG.
In the final season with the Illini Hamilton really blossomed. The Illini made it to the Final Four and this great team was dubbed the Flyin’ Illini.
In that great run to the Final Four, Hamilton averaged 13.6 PPG and 5.7 RPG throughout the season. He was a key part in such a great team. We may never see a team so exciting and energizing as that team ever again.