OK, Critics — Here's Your Do-Over: Who Did I Leave Off the All-Decade Teams?

When I published my Illinois All-Decade Teams — from the 1950s through the 2010s — I knew what was coming. And it came.

"How could you leave off [your player]?!"

Fair enough. I've been coaching, watching, and studying this game for over 70 years, but I don't have a monopoly on the truth. Some of you have seen players I never did. Some of you played against guys I only read about. Some of you just remember a night in 1974 when a kid from a town of 800 people went off for 40 in a regional final.

So here's the deal. I'm giving you a do-over.

This is your chance to make your case — not in a Facebook comment that disappears in a week, but right here, on the record, where other fans and I can see it and respond.

Here's How to Submit Your Player

Keep it simple. Give me four things:

1. Name — the player's full name
2. School — the high school they played for
3. Decade — which decade they played in (1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, or 2010s)
4. Why — tell me what made them great. Stats, honors, a memory, a game — whatever makes your case

Drop it in the comments below. The best ones — the ones with real backing — I'll add to the list and give you credit for the catch.

Already Got a Great One

Someone already sent me Brian Rothrock, Stewardson-Strasburg (1970s) — over 1,700 career points and a 1975 All-State selection. That's exactly the kind of player I'm talking about. That's a real do-over.

So — where are all of you who told me I was wrong? Here's your shot. The comments are open.