ST. LOUIS — Illinois fans should be happy about the analyst BTN picked to call tonight's Braggin' Rights game against Missouri: Stephen Bardo.
Start with the obvious: He is one of you. Bardo played four years for Lou Henson, helping the Flyin' Illini to the 1989 Final Four.
So, that's all good.
There is another reason for Illinois fans to smile: Bardo has been a good luck charm in St. Louis. When he is at the game, either as a player or a broadcaster, Illinois wins.
"I have never seen Illinois lose," Bardo said.
He went 4-0 as a player, including the classic comeback in 1988.