during his standout career at the university of illinois, 6'5" bardo scored 909 points and compiled 495 assists. he was part of the flyin' illini team that qualified for the 1989 ncaa men's basketball tournament final four. that fighting illini team gained the moniker ""flyin' illini"" by dick vitale while broadcasting a game during the 1988–89 season. bardo was named big ten defensive player of the year in 1989. along with bardo, the other starting members of that team included nick anderson, kendall gill, lowell hamilton, kenny battle, and key reserve marcus liberty.