Heath Barn Hoopcast

Heath Barn Hoopcast

Heath Barn Hoopcast is a new podcast featuring former Illinois Men’s Basketball players, hosted by Jon Heath. This pod provides a great way for Illini nation to hear entertaining stories from their favorite players of the past. Whether it’s the all-time leader in scoring, assists and steals, or a walk-on that carved out an important role for 4 seasons, Heath Barn Hoopcast provides an outlet for these players to rehash some of their fondest memories while wearing the Orange and Blue. They cover their childhood all the way to what they’re doing now, with stories and advice that can range from hilarious to inspirational. It’s an honor to have these men on as guests, and I hope you’ll check out Heath Barn Hoopcast.

Episodes

EP. 12 FORMER ILLINI AND CURRENT EASTERN ILLINOIS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TOM MICHAEL

April 3, 2025 • 85 mins
Such a great episode with former Illini and current EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael. We discuss his AD duties, growing up in a small town, having his dad as a coach, playing at a high major college coming from a small town as opposed to a big city, his recruitment, his playing days at Illinois, his favorite places to play, his thoughts on Coach Lou Henson, and what he’s been up to since playing at Illinois (lotta commas there). T...
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EP. 11 FORMER ILLINI RICHARD KEENE

March 26, 2025 • 68 mins
GREAT episode with former Illini RIchard Keene. We discuss him being inducted into the Collinsville Hall of Fame, growing up playing sports, and when he started hearing from colleges. He tells some TOP NOTCH recruiting stories, including getting his name chanted at a Duke home game his senior year in HS. He gives great thoughts on his time at Illinois and his relationship with Coach Henson. Finally, next year Rich will have 3 child...
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EP. 10 FORMER ILLINI MARCUS GRIFFIN LIVE FROM RIGGS BREWERY

March 11, 2025 • 64 mins
GREAT time talking to Marcus Griffin live from Riggs Brewery prior to last Fridays big win over Purdue. We discuss the current team, who he thinks will stay for next year, as well as preview the Purdue game. Then we have fun with comparing old Illini teams of the past, and tell a lot of fun stories. There’s also questions from the crowd that are a lot of fun. This episode is also a great one for PARENTS and KIDS to listen to. For y...
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EP. 9 FORMER ILLINI STANDOUT KIWANE GARRIS

March 3, 2025 • 96 mins
The 2nd all time leading scorer in Illinois Men’s Basketball history Kiwane Garris is the guest for episode 9 of Heath Barn Hoopcast. He discusses growing up and playing basketball in Chicago, as well as when he began hearing from colleges. He tells recruiting stories, what led him to choose Illinois, and his relationship at the time with Coach Henson. He tells a great story about Lou, and talks about the transition to Coach Lon Kr...
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EP. 8 FORMER ILLINI TONY WYSINGER

February 18, 2025 • 83 mins
Another awesome episode with former Illini point guard Tony Wysinger. Tony talks about his upbringing in Peoria, IL and how basketball became his favorite sport. He also talks about an individual sport in which he’s always flourished and actually thought would be his best way to a college scholarship. He tells a story about Coach Henson involving mustard, his favorite moments as a player, as well as his teammates. We then discuss ...
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EP. 7 FORMER ILLINI NATE MAST

February 5, 2025 • 66 mins
On this very special episode, former Illini guard Nate Mast tells his story and discusses his journey to becoming a Fighting Illini. It’s an outstanding episode for many reasons, but it’s very inspirational and would be a great listen for young players. Nate’s story is a big reason why I’ve enjoyed talking with all of these former Illini, because every one of them has a different story, and they’re all unique in their own way. He w...
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EP. 6 FORMER ILLINI TJ WHEELER LIVE FROM RIGGS BREWERY

January 31, 2025 • 70 mins
GREAT episode with TJ Wheeler live from Riggs Brewery. We discuss the current Illini squad, play a game of “will they transfer,” and if Deon Thomas would have been a lottery pick if he had Fletch as his strength coach. Then, he tells Lou Henson stories, recruiting stories, and RIPS on a couple former Illini that have transferred. Finally, he takes questions from my son Stevie and some Illini fans. Great time, easy, fun listen, and ...
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EP. 5 PART 2 WITH MARCUS LIBERTY

January 27, 2025 • 49 mins
In part 2 Marcus goes into depth on his time at Illinois, including his role, relationship with Coach Henson, and how seriously he considered transferring. He then discusses the NBA draft, where he thought he’d go and where he actually went. He talks about his NBA career in Denver and Detroit, along with great stories about Isiah Thomas “running the team.” Finally, he goes into his time playing overseas, some of his favorite curren...
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EP. 5 FORMER FLYIN’ ILLINI MARCUS LIBERTY PART 1

January 15, 2025 • 60 mins
AWESOME episode with former Illini Marcus Liberty. Marcus starts from the beginning and discusses playing/living in Chicago, switching high schools, playing for Sonny Cox, his record setting IHSA state tournament run, his recruitment (with awesome stories), and his time starting out with Illinois. He sprinkles in GREAT stories, and doesn’t hold back at all. Exactly what you want out of a guest, and it’s just PART 1. ENJOY.
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EP. 4 MORE WITH MICHAEL FINKE FROM RIGGS BREWERY

January 6, 2025 • 62 mins
In this very fun episode, Michael and I meet at Riggs Brewery for a great conversation. We discuss how his life’s changed since the last time we chatted, the current Illini team, and which style of basketball we each prefer. Then we have an Illini draft where we each draft 8 players from 1990-present. Finally, the owner of Riggs Brewery, Matt Riggs, hops on to discuss our plans to continue pods from his awesome establishment. Grea...
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EP. 3 FORMER ILLINI MICHAEL FINKE

January 3, 2025 • 76 mins
Awesome episode with former Illini Michael Finke. He discusses his quickly approaching fatherhood, his upbringing in Champaign, playing with his brothers growing up, his time at Illinois, his recruitment to other colleges, what led him to Grand Canyon as a transfer and how close was to going to another college, his time playing overseas, and what he’s up to now. GREAT stories throughout, and he participated in “Stevie’s stumpers,” ...
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EP. 2 PART 2 ILLINI LEGEND BRUCE DOUGLAS

December 16, 2024 • 36 mins
In this episode, Bruce discusses the dreaded Final 8 game against Kentucky, his outstanding teammates from his Illini playing days, and his relationship with Coach Henson. He also talks his time in the NBA, and what led him to his path of becoming a pastor. We talk about faith and family, and my son Stevie sneaks in to ask him a question as well. Very inspirational episode, and an amazing man. ENJOY.
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EP. 2 ILLINI LEGEND BRUCE DOUGLAS PART 1

September 17, 2024 • 43 mins
It’s the all time assist and steal leader for the University of Illinois, Bruce Douglas. In part 1, he discusses his upbringing, playing for then perennial powerhouse Quincy in High School, as well as some of his favorite moments as a player in HS. He then tells great recruiting stories, including Bobby Knight sitting on his couch giving his sales pitch to get Bruce to Indiana. We also get into what makes a great defensive player. ...
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EP 1. ILLINI ALL TIME SCORING LEADER DEON THOMAS

September 2, 2024 • 84 mins
In the debut episode of Heath Barn Hoopcast, it’s Illini all-time scoring leader Deon Thomas. I usually go through and give specific details about the episode, but man, just listen. So many awesome stories from growing up, his recruitment, his time at Illinois, as well as overseas. We also compare past Illini teams, and have a lotta laughs. Also, it’s the debut of “Stevie’s stumpers,” where my son asks each player a question. I do ...
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