He's watched Illinois basketball games from a front-row seat at State Farm Center and on TV from a hospital bed in Decatur.
Guess which one Tony Clements prefers?
"Center court is a much better view," he said. "I wish I could be back there."
The UI's official scorer for more than 30 years and five head coaches has been absent from State Farm Center in 2016. Cancer has knocked him for a loop. But one of the friendliest, funniest and philanthropic fellas you'll meet vows to be back next season.
"It's a battle for me," he said during a break in rehab this week.