Ben Mills Anecdote

[Dawson Rental]

Ben Mills uncle was Al McGuire's first seven foot player, Mike "Spider" Mills. He was a member of MU's, 28 -1, 1970-71 team.

[bilsu]

Mike Mills was 6'9" or 6'10". Butrym was his first 7'.

[4everwarriors]

So, in 1977 at the FF in ATL I was staying at a Howard Johnson's across from 6 Flags. MU cheerleaders were also there. The Warrior team was headquartered elsewhere. Returned to the motel after UNCC game and Craig "Big Buck, Motherf__k" Butrym was there spending a lot of time with his future wife, Kelly, a cheerleader.
So much time in fact, he was there on Sunday as well. I along with several friends ventured into the city on Sunday prior to championship Monday. Toured Underground Atlanta where I ran into Rick Majerus and some others in the entourage. Having worked side by side with Rick a few summers earlier, I felt comfortable going up to him and saying, "Rick, Butrym's been spending the entire weekend at our motel, aren't you concerned?" Whereby Majerus answers, "4ever, if we have to rely on Craig to beat UNC tomorrow, we're in trouble."

[Dawson Rental]

So, in 1977 at the FF in ATL I was staying at a Howard Johnson's across from 6 Flags. MU cheerleaders were also there. The Warrior team was headquartered elsewhere. Returned to the motel after UNCC game and Craig "Big Buck, Motherf__k" Butrym was there spending a lot of time with his future wife, Kelly, a cheerleader.
So much time in fact, he was there on Sunday as well. I along with several friends ventured into the city on Sunday prior to championship Monday. Toured Underground Atlanta where I ran into Rick Majerus and some others in the entourage. Having worked side by side with Rick a few summers earlier, I felt comfortable going up to him and saying, "Rick, Butrym's been spending the entire weekend at our motel, aren't you concerned?" Whereby Majerus answers, "4ever, if we have to rely on Craig to beat UNC tomorrow, we're in trouble."

I bet you felt stupid.

Great story, thanks for bringing it up.

[swedishlumpyrudy]

Did Majerus have a towel with him?

[wyoMUfan]

Did Majerus have a towel with him?

+ #2

[ChicosBailBonds]

So, in 1977 at the FF in ATL I was staying at a Howard Johnson's across from 6 Flags. MU cheerleaders were also there. The Warrior team was headquartered elsewhere. Returned to the motel after UNCC game and Craig "Big Buck, Motherf__k" Butrym was there spending a lot of time with his future wife, Kelly, a cheerleader.
So much time in fact, he was there on Sunday as well. I along with several friends ventured into the city on Sunday prior to championship Monday. Toured Underground Atlanta where I ran into Rick Majerus and some others in the entourage. Having worked side by side with Rick a few summers earlier, I felt comfortable going up to him and saying, "Rick, Butrym's been spending the entire weekend at our motel, aren't you concerned?" Whereby Majerus answers, "4ever, if we have to rely on Craig to beat UNC tomorrow, we're in trouble."

Craig had a major impact in that championship game per the box score.

http://www.hickoksports.com/history/ncaambask1977.shtml#boxs

[4everwarriors]

This pretty much sums up what he did his entire MU career.

[Murffieus]

He was one of about 5-6 guys on that team (actually all of Al's good teams were so structured) who knew he wouldn't be part of Al's 7-8 man rotation and was OK with that-----however he worked hard in practice to make the others better.

[tower912]

Just one more way the game has changed.    Those guys who used to be content to be Al's practice squad now know they can still play D1 basketball for free at UWGB, UWM, Cleveland St.,  UIC, etc.   As evidenced by Roseboro, a modern recruit who arrives on campus and sees no chance of ever starting has options. 

[NCMUFan]

Look at UNC's box score.  Dean Smith played everyone.

[Dawson Rental]

Look at UNC's box score.  Dean Smith played everyone.

And still could find no answers.

[WarriorHal]

Butrym was there spending a lot of time with his future wife, Kelly, a cheerleader.

Kelly Linebarger was one beautiful coed. I bet she has aged well, too.

[wyzgy]

i see craig around waukesha quite often-his kid-patrick went to catholic memorial with my kids-played football and basketball-is now starting linebacker/nose tackle for the badgers.  craig still looks like he could do some intramural ballin damage though

[GGGG]

Just one more way the game has changed.    Those guys who used to be content to be Al's practice squad now know they can still play D1 basketball for free at UWGB, UWM, Cleveland St.,  UIC, etc.   As evidenced by Roseboro, a modern recruit who arrives on campus and sees no chance of ever starting has options. 

I don't know about you, but if I were given a choice between getting major minutes at UWGB or being basically a practice player at MU, I'd be Green Bay bound.

[tower912]

Exactly my point, which is why I think that Murf's theory about Al's structure would not work today.    According to Murf, Al would recruit 7-8 solid players, and then fill the rest of his roster with guys who were never likely to be much more than practice fodder, making the stars better.   I don't think you can recruit a kid today by telling him that he will be practice fodder for 4 years, but at least he will get an MU education.    Not when that kid can go and actually play at UWGB, UWM, UIC, IUPFW, Wayne St, Wright St, etc.   Al's practice squad was made up of guys we now call low-major or mid-major talent.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I don't know about you, but if I were given a choice between getting major minutes at UWGB or being basically a practice player at MU, I'd be Green Bay bound.

THAT is a great point.

How many more teams are out there now than in 1977? Many more options for kids.

Also, with the tournament expanding, you might see even less kids willing to "ride the pine" if they think they can go to a mid-major, play, and make the tournament.

[mu-rara]

I don't know about you, but if I were given a choice between getting major minutes at UWGB or being basically a practice player at MU, I'd be Green Bay bound.

Generally agreed, but there are those who want an MU like experience.  If you  had grad school aspirations....or were looking for Cura Personalis, maybe MU is the place for you.

[Hards Alumni]

Generally agreed, but there are those who want an MU like experience.  If you  had grad school aspirations....or were looking for Cura Personalis, maybe MU is the place for you.

I'd say those people are in the extremely small minority. 

Just because you go to UWGB doesn't mean you can't go to grad school at MU, also.

[mu-rara]

I'd say those people are in the extremely small minority. 

Just because you go to UWGB doesn't mean you can't go to grad school at MU, also.

I agree that there are only a few of these guys, but you probably only want 1 per year, maybe 1 every other year.

I'm thinking David Diggs..Bart Mueller types...real Brainiacs who know they aren't going to the NBA.

Grad school comment was going anywhere to grad school, not necessarily MU.