Turpin Time

Eddie Johnson & Mark Smith - The Road Divided

Posted by: Jim Turpin

Saturday, February 7, 2009 3:58 PM

     Eddie Johnson - Chicago Westinghouse.

     Mark Smith - Peoria Richwoods.

     Time at Illinois under Lou Henson:  1978, 1979, 1980, 1981.

     Eddie Johnson:  NBA star, respected and admired in retirement as a television broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns and a solid community leader.

     Mark Smith:  dead at the age of 41.

     Johnson on Smith:

          "He was one of the most talented and versatile players Illinois has ever had.

          "When he and I were battling it out for the all-time leading scorer title at that time, he wanted me to win.  He didn't care about those things.

          "I learned so much from him at Illinois.  We were roommates for three years and he taught me a lot about everything.

          "But, Mark was into partying - he loved to have a good time."

     Eddie Johnson will be honored at the Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon along with Don Freeman - two of the most talented, classiest gentlemen ever produced by the basketball program at the University of Illinois.

     Their jersies will be up there with Illinois' best in history.

     It will be so good to see Eddie and Don again.

     But, I know when I see Eddie, I'll be thinking of Mark, too.

     It's impossible not to.

   

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