Fifty years ago today — Feb. 28, 1966 — behind a magnificent 30-point, 20-rebound performance from Rich Jones, the Illini defeated Purdue 98-81. The victory lifted Illinois’ record to 7-5, two games behind league-leading Michigan. Said UI coach Harry Combes about his talented second-year player, “Rich improved more his sophomore year than any Illinois player in history. If he takes up where he left off, he has a brilliant future ahead.”
Unfortunately, there would be only five more Illini games in Jones’ future. On Dec. 22, 1966, UI representatives met with Big Ten and NCAA officials in Chicago regarding irregularities in the athletic department’s financial aid program.
Illini legends, lists and lore: Rich Jones
