Living in Illinois, former Kansas University and NBA standout Dave Robisch hears a lot of talk about the undefeated Fighting Illini men’s basketball squad.

“Everybody is on the bandwagon, and rightfully so,” said Robisch, who works for the Illinois Department of Human Services in his native Springfield.

Though he gives U of I its due, Robisch praises his alma mater, too.

“I’m always trying to tell everybody of the tradition of Kansas and how special it is,” Robisch said. “Illinois plays at Assembly Hall. I tell them once they see a game in Allen Fieldhouse, they’ll see how special it is compared to anyplace else.”

Robisch will have his jersey No. 40 unfurled on the fieldhouse’s south wall of honor during halftime ceremonies of today’s KU-Oklahoma State game.

Today figures to be emotional for Robisch, who led KU to a 27-3 record and a Final Four berth during his senior year in 1970-71.

“It’s the culmination of the hard work I put in,” said Robisch, the eighth-leading scorer in KU history. “The great respect I have for the university and the basketball program … what a great ride, what a great moment with family, teammates and coaches here.”

And a moment well deserved, said Ted Owens, Robisch’s coach.

“Dave was about the finest competitive shooter I’ve been around,” Owens said. “He did something I don’t think I’ve seen anybody else master. He could bank in a shot straight out. Down the stretch, if you needed a basket, Dave would find a way to get the ball in there.”

Former Kansas University standout Dave Robisch will have his jersey No. 40 unfurled on the south wall of Allen Fieldhouse during halftime of today's game against Oklahoma State.

Robisch, a left-handed shooter, had a knack of banking the ball in the basket, as well as swishing from straight on.

“For some reason, growing up and learning the game, I knew the angles on the backboard and used the board to shoot a ton of shots,” Robisch said. “Within seven or eight feet, I’d use the bank shot.”

Robisch averaged 26.5 points a game in 1969-70, the fourth-best single-season mark in KU history.

During his senior year, KU went undefeated in the Big Eight and lost only one regular-season game (at Louisville). The Jayhawks won NCAA Midwest Regional games over Houston and Drake in Wichita, then advanced to the Final Four, where they fell to UCLA in the semis, 68-60, in the Astrodome, before bowing to Western Kentucky, 77-75, in the third-place game.

“As I look back, I think we had a great season,” Robisch said. “Obviously, there is disappointment. I have told a lot of people what sticks in the brain all the time … the one shot I remember the most was one I made to put us ahead in the second half against UCLA, but they called me for traveling. I just wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t been called for traveling.”

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Some thought UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden received a kind whistle on the phantom traveling call. The Bruins went on to capture the national title and continue their dynasty.

Robisch says he is thankful he is the last of the “Forgotten Five” — Robisch, Bud Stallworth, Bill Bridges, Darnell Valentine and Walt Wesley — to have his jersey placed among the elite this season.

“I don’t feel bitterness it took so long. I’m probably just disappointed that coach Owens’ era wasn’t recognized a little bit sooner,” Robisch said. “To see the players coach (Roy) Williams had in there — his All-Americans were hung up there — but there was just something missing.”

It’s ironic Robisch is being honored while the Jayhawks are playing Oklahoma State, because both his sons — Brett and Scott — played at one time for the Cowboys. Brett concluded his college career at OSU after transferring from Illinois. Scott began with the ‘Pokes, then transferred to Butler.

“They were nice enough to ask which game I’d prefer,” Robisch said, “and I asked for Oklahoma State because of the great respect I also have for coach (Eddie) Sutton and what he’s meant to our family and our boys growing up.”