Hall of Fame Basketball coach Bennie Lewis Sr. will be very proud Saturday night, when one of his former players at Lincoln High, Cuonzo Martin, returns home to face Saint Louis University.
Martin is in his second season as the head coach at Missouri State University. He is already restoring the roar in the southwest part of the state. Martin’s Bears team has won nine in a row to start the season. It represents the longest winning streak for the Bears since Steve Alford led them to an impressive 10-0 start in the ‘96-97 season before Bob Huggins’ big bad Cincinnati Bearcats put a stop to that.
Martin, whose team has a impressive win over SEC power Auburn and impressive wins on the road at Tulsa and Arkansas State, would love to come to the House that Liddell and Lisch built in Midtown St. Louis.
In addition, I’m sure the Valley (Missouri Valley Conference) might leave there headquarters lights on all night if the Bears can pull off a victory against “Slick Rick” Majerus with its headquarters a stone’s throw away.
Former Hall of Fame Athletic Director Bill Rowe (Mo. State) had the vision to hire Martin prior to his retirement a couple of years ago, and the humble Martin is forever grateful.
“I’m so fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to coach at Mo. State,” said Martin during a recent interview.
And the pride of East St. Louis will have a slew of folks from “The 618” rooting for the former All-Big Ten player while at Purdue.
Martin and former Boilermaker roommate Glen “Big Dog” Robinson were standout performers for former Purdue coach Gene Keady. He was recruited by then-assistant Frank Hendricks in 1991.
While at Purdue, Martin was the youngest captain ever under coach Gene Keady in leading the Boilermakers to multiple NCAA appearances. Martin left a legacy at Purdue as one of the best to wear a Boilermaker uniform.
Martin is currently ranked 11th on Purdue’s all-time scoring list with 1,666 points, averaging 13.1 points in 127 games played at Purdue. During his senior season, he led the Big Ten in three-point shooting in helping Purdue to their second of three consecutive Big Ten Titles.
In addition, Martin received honors from as a member of Dick Vitale’s All – Defensive Team in 1995. In Martin’s four years at Purdue, they finished with an record of 90-37, including an astonishing 54-12 his last two years with two Big Ten Title rings that his two sons Joshua, and Chase will be wearing one day.
Old Bennie ‘Boss” Lewis will be very proud come Saturday night, sitting somewhere in the Chaifetz Arena with a unlit cigar in his mouth saying “That’s another one of my boys’………….
Not only Bennie, but East St. Louis and particularly the South End will be proud…..Love you #22
