As a proud University of Illinois alum, I always will have fond memories of the ’89 Flying Illini basketball team. In fact, with the way the current season is going, I wish it was 1989 again.

They were an unforgettable bunch even if they failed to win the NCAA title. Their feet barely hit the floor all season.

Stephen Bardo, a guard for that team, parlayed that experience into a career in broadcasting. Yet everywhere he goes, people still ask him about what happened 25 years ago.

Bardo decided to write a book, The Flyin’ Illini: The Untold Story of One of College Basketball’s Elite Teams.

Bardo’s honesty in the book, especially over the coaching and relationship with Lou Henson, angered some people in Illini Nation. Of Henson, he wrote:

“Lou and I didn’t like each other at all. It was a battle of wills. Lou’s way was old school.”

“I took me a few years to work out all the negative thoughts I collected about Coach Henson.”

“Lou was not the kind of coach to instill confidence in his players.”

Why was Bardo so frank? Here’s my Q/A:

Why did you decide to write the book?

There was no historical account of that team. I thought it was my duty to pull something together. We were a unique team, the way we ran and played above the rim. Whenever I run into coaches like Bill Self and Coach K, Jim Calhoun, they all want to talk to me about the Flyin’ Illini. It’s great to get that feedback 25 years later.

Why did you decide to go public with your criticisms of Henson?

I actually was more critical (in the rough draft). My father suggested I tone it down a bit.

I was sharing how my feelings when I was 18 to 22. We were a great team, but that doesn’t mean everything was hunky-dory. I had my faults. Everyone did. I wanted to share what I went through.

There recently was a 25th reunion of that team in Champaign. How was your interaction with Henson?

He wasn’t as happy to see me as before. He’s a grown man. We can agree to disagree. Part of the responsibility of writing a book is to be honest. I couldn’t have written this book without being honest.

You also were candid about your rocky relationship with Ken Norman.

I tried to paint a picture of the aura of Ken Norman. He was tough guy, a troubled individual. I had a lot of dealings with him that weren’t positive.

How did you feel about some of the critical reaction to the book?

It was a little disturbing. I would ask people, ‘Did you read the book? You need to read the book.’ It’s more than (what was written in the initial columns). It’s about the games and the great team we had. When people read the book, I get great feedback.

After many years doing basketball for ESPN, how does it feel to be in your first year calling games for BTN?

It was disappointing not being asked back to ESPN. It was a hit to the ego. However, being at BTN is 10 times better than I could have imagined.

I always loved the conference. It is the best in the country. At ESPN, I was just a small cog in a big machine. At BTN, it is much different. It’s great to be valued and wanted.

The current Illini are struggling this year. Do you have any eligibility left?

If I could get two knee replacements, I’d think about it.