Fighting Illini Sports Network | 2016-17 Schedule

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Doug Altenberger, a former Fighting Illini basketball star from 1983-87, will join the Fighting Illini Sports Network crew as an expert analyst for the upcoming 2016-17 men's basketball season. Altenberger will take over analyst duties on 14 dates when recently announced analyst Deon Thomas has television commitments.

"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity to return broadcasting Fighting Illini basketball," Altenberger said. "I spent 16 years calling games for television before stepping away to spend more time with my family, but this comes at a great time in my life. I've been fortunate to be around and follow Illini basketball for my entire life since my father was a player and I was able to play five years under Coach Henson. I'm a firm supporter of John Groce and his staff, and can't wait to get the season started!"

Altenberger helped the Fighting Illini win a Big Ten co-title in 1984, was team MVP in 1985 and was a co-captain as a senior in 1987. The Fighting Illini advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his seasons at Illinois. Known for his outstanding defense and three-point shooting ability, Altenberger earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 1984 and 1985, while being named Third-Team All-Big Ten in 1987. He still ranks among the Top 30 scorers in Fighting Illini history with 1,271 points. Altenberger was a sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1987 NBA Draft before a long career in private business.

"Doug brings a great deal of experience to the broadcast, and is a name long associated with Fighting Illini basketball," said Randy Younker, General Manager of Fighting Illini Sports Properties. "Brian Barnhart couldn't ask for two better broadcast partners to work with this year. We were very fortunate to have someone with Doug's background available to join Deon in filling the analyst role."