I'm curious, and sorry if this has come up as a thread topic before, but what do you all think were the best/exciting 4 years of Marquette basketball to witness on campus as a student?
Obviously anyone who graduated in the late 70's has an argument, the 03 Finalf Four team with Wade, Diener, etc...
We can debate about the best 1 year of MU bball, but how about the best 4 year span?
Mine was interesting. I graduated in '08, so I was able to witness the following on campus (with my highlights):
04-05: C-USA, Tom Crean (whom everyone on campus loved at the time) Travis Diener, Steve Novak, Dameon Mason, Joe Chapman, Ousmane Barro (I add him because he was in my class, so I was really able to see him develop over the course of 4 years at MU). Beating Wisconsin at home, loss to #15 Arizona at home was at least an exciting game to be at, Travis Diener was killing and we all thought we were going far in the tourney until he went down with a season ending injury with a few games left. Heartbreaking.
05-06: The year everything changed. Big East. Birth of the Three Amigos. Novak's senior year, dominating. Beat #2 UCONN at home in first Big East game ever, lot's of new rivalries, still loving Crean, and still watching Ousmane develop (while wishing we had someone/anyone better -- although I would take Ousmane in a heartbeat this year!) Finish 4th in BE. Heartbreaking loss to Alabama in tourney.
06-07: Welcome Maurice Acker, David Cubillan, Lazar Hayward, amigos still killing, Ousmane still starting, Crean still here. For some reason not much stands out about this year except the bad loss to MSU in the tourney.
07-08: Crean's last year, returning all starters from last year. Pre-season rankings, big expectations. Good run in BE tourney, actually won a NCAA tournament game before a devastating, devastating loss to Stanford.
While I admit, not at all the most exciting 4 years on campus, but I was able to witness C-USA play and Big East play, the end of Tom Crean's reign at MU, 3 amigos, 4 future NBA players, a crapload of exciting wins and a handful of heartbreaking losses.
So what was your experience like at Marquette, and what 4 year span do you think would be the best times for a student?
Well it wasn't mine: 1987 - 1991.
I can guaranty you that my four years (1986-87 through 1989-90) were the absolute worst. The three Dukiet years, and the first O'Neill year. Two first round NIT exits.
It has to be a student from 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, and 1976/77. Two final four runs and a National Championship.
More recently, I'd say a student from 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, and 2005/06. While your sophomore and junior years would have completly sucked, you would have seen a final four with Wade and the three amigos leading Marquette to a 4th place finish in the Big East.
Whoever started in '73 and graduated in '77 wins, hands down. Two Final 4's (one Champion - '77, the other a runner up - '74), a Regional finals loss, in a matchup of #1 v #2, to the eventual champion in '76. '75 was a tournament team.
Combined record during those 4 yeas was 103-16. Anyone that was here for those 4 years, wins hands down.
Quote from: murespect on February 13, 2012, 03:10:44 PM
04-05: C-USA, Tom Crean (whom everyone on campus loved at the time) Travis Diener, Steve Novak, Dameon Mason, Joe Chapman, Ousmane Barro (I add him because he was in my class, so I was really able to see him develop over the course of 4 years at MU). Beating Wisconsin at home, loss to #15 Arizona at home was at least an exciting game to be at, Travis Diener was killing and we all thought we were going far in the tourney until he went down with a season ending injury with a few games left. Heartbreaking.
In the same class as you...
This year really sucked, nothing says awesome like losing to Western Michigan at home in the first round of the NIT!
Not me; 1982 -86. Doc leaves early, steady decline, 0-6 vs. ND.
Quote from: robmufan on February 13, 2012, 03:28:36 PM
In the same class as you...
This year really sucked, nothing says awesome like losing to Western Michigan at home in the first round of the NIT!
But we (marqptm, robmufan, mrs marqptm, mrs robmufan, and myself) had great seats for that Western Michigan game!
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj229/marquettetitan34/photo-1.jpg)
Quote from: TallTitan34 on February 13, 2012, 03:27:12 PM
It has to be a student from 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, and 1976/77. Two final four runs and a National Championship.
More recently, I'd say a student from 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, and 2005/06. While your sophomore and junior years would have completly sucked, you would have seen a final four with Wade and the three amigos leading Marquette to a 4th place finish in the Big East.
Obviously the 70's run is number one. But I'd have to go with your assessment of the '02 - '06 run being the best in recent memory, both for on the court excitement (final four run) and off the court (moving to the big east). Then again, I'm biased because that was my run.
Quote from: MUMac on February 13, 2012, 03:28:15 PM
Whoever started in '73 and graduated in '77 wins, hands down. Two Final 4's (one Champion - '77, the other a runner up - '74), a Regional finals loss, in a matchup of #1 v #2, to the eventual champion in '76. '75 was a tournament team.
Combined record during those 4 yeas was 103-16. Anyone that was here for those 4 years, wins hands down.
I agree completely, with 69-73 being pretty good also.
I was at MU form 78-82. The beginning of the descent into oblivion. At least I was kinda local, so I did enjoy the golden years.
Quote from: robmufan on February 13, 2012, 03:28:36 PM
In the same class as you...
This year really sucked, nothing says awesome like losing to Western Michigan at home in the first round of the NIT!
Although the ending sucked, I'm grateful I got to experience a year of C-USA basketball with Trav before joining the Big East. The atmosphere of MU bball completely changed our soph year with the introduction of the 3 amigos and BE notoriety.
Quote from: ringout on February 13, 2012, 03:38:04 PM
I agree completely, with 69-73 being pretty good also.
I was at MU form 78-82. The beginning of the descent into oblivion. At least I was kinda local, so I did enjoy the golden years.
I had thought about '69-'73. The "what might have been" era. Probably the best two teams. One ends with a horribly officiate game against Ohio State, the other ends when Chones leaves mid year. Combined record was 104-12. Would have/could have been better had Chones stayed the remaining 1 1/2 years.
I was at MU '77-81. Was at the Ohio U game my freshman year. Thought it could have been a repeat. Looking forward to beating up on UK and Kevin Greevy. That damn Peter Pavia!
I was at MU from 02/03 to 05/06. While the Final Four was more than I would have expected coming into Marquette, those next two years were extremely difficult to watch.
Outside of the great run in the 70s, I think you can argue the past 4 years might be the best. 4 tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 while the program appears to be trending upwards.
I wouldn't give up experiencing that Final Four run but there is something to be said for the consistency that is currently happening.
I was there from 2000-04. Sadly, I didn't give a crap about basketball at the time and was annoyed by the noise caused during our tournament win celebrations during our Final Four run. To this day, I am still embarrassed about this.
84-88 was no picnic. Transition from Majerus to Dukiet. 0-8 against ND. Losing to UNC at home. Player beating up his girlfriend. Player getting in an unfortunate car accident that left a girl in a coma. Can you imagine the message board chatter over a Dukiet-era team? I would have to go with the 73-77 era.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on February 13, 2012, 03:35:13 PM
But we (marqptm, robmufan, mrs marqptm, mrs robmufan, and myself) had great seats for that Western Michigan game!
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj229/marquettetitan34/photo-1.jpg)
FALSE!!!!
I got screwed out of that and sat row 1 in 106. For compensation i got the halftime knock-out and won!
Quote from: MU7703 on February 13, 2012, 03:48:29 PM
I was at MU from 02/03 to 05/06. While the Final Four was more than I would have expected coming into Marquette, those next two years were extremely difficult to watch.
Outside of the great run in the 70s, I think you can argue the past 4 years might be the best. 4 tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 while the program appears to be trending upwards.
I wouldn't give up experiencing that Final Four run but there is something to be said for the consistency that is currently happening.
This is an interesting point... the last 4 years have been pretty awesome, with this year having potential for a great finish.
Perhaps not the best, but exciting it was from 1965-69. The varsity/freshman game was one of the seasons most anticipated games. Al's freshman teams beat our varsity the firsts two seasons I was there. I witnessed the birth of Marquette's golden age in basketball, the best of times.
As someone who can only speak for the last 4 years, I have been very happy with my experience thus far. Got to witness the 3 amigos my first year, senior years of 2 NBA guys in Lazar and Jimmy, 3 (soon to be 4) consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, a Sweet 16, the emergence of Buzz, DJO, Crowder, etc. While the last 2 years may have not been the best seasons in MU history, they were definitely exciting as we were able to pull off some big wins during both and regardless if we won or lost, our games always seemed to be close and exciting. Playing at the BC is also something I have came to appreciate when compared to many other D1 programs. There have also been appearances by Wade and other alumni at things such as Marquette Madness.
Overall, it's been a great 4 years. I'm not saying it's better than any other 4 years because I have nothing to compare it to. Marquette basketball for life anyway.
I'm going to vote with gold colored glasses. I'll say that my daughter's era will be second best only behind the '73-'77 era. She's a Sophomore right now so showed up in Milwaukee to witness a Sweet 16 her 'rookie' year. I'll bet she gets at least another Sweet 16 this year and a Final Four before dad's tuition money gets cut off!
I think we'd all take that.
I was 02-03 to 05-06. Had a Final Four my first year, Big East inaugural year my senior year, and in between, two years of basketball that while terrible, also had some good memories.
Frankly, those two NIT years made you realize that nobody is entitled to trips to the NCAA tournament, and it's an accomplishment just to get to the Dance. Making it back to the NCAAs senior year was a last hurrah as a student I won't ever forget.
The best years were spoken for, but my years (1993/94, 94/95, 95/96, 96/97) were good to me.
93/94 - NCAA Sweet Sixteen as a frosh...and the last class of Warriors; finished #21/#17
94/95 - Runner-Up NIT (heart breaker)...but more "home" games for MU and back-to-back running Wisconsin
95/96 - NCAA tourney; finished #23/#20
96/97 - NCAA tourney (but in a trouncing by Providence that made the KU and UNC drubbings look pedestrian)
Underrated in-between era IMHO would be 94 to 97. A Sweet 16 with an upset over UK, an NIT championship game, another blowout tourney win and two more tourney berths, a Great Midwest regular-season championship, a C-USA tourney championship, and a year as a C-USA regular season and tourney runner-up. The end of McIlvaine, Key and Miller, most of the career of Eford, Hutch (including the shot at Louisville, which I got to witness in person) and McCaskill, and all of the careers of Pieper and Crawford.
Quote from: Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup on February 13, 2012, 04:42:51 PM
I was 02-03 to 05-06. Had a Final Four my first year, Big East inaugural year my senior year, and in between, two years of basketball that while terrible, also had some good memories.
Frankly, those two NIT years made you realize that nobody is entitled to trips to the NCAA tournament, and it's an accomplishment just to get to the Dance. Making it back to the NCAAs senior year was a last hurrah as a student I won't ever forget.
Same class as you...took a broke-ass '77 Winnebago with about 10 others down to New Orleans stocked with kegs to watch us get slaughterd by Kansas. Wouldn't change it for the world.
We broke down in every state. We broke down in New Orleans and in the very wrong part of town. Paid the locals in booze and cash to fix us up and they gave us fresh crawdads to eat while we waited on their porch. I'm pretty sure they also protected us from being robbed. All of this obviously pre-Katrina.
/I miss college
come one, from 89-92 you got to see Marquette switch conference alliances from being an Independent to the MCC to the GMC.
And coaches from Bob Dukiet to Mike Deane...
but were always a Warrior (not a Golden Eagle)...
Quote from: ringout on February 13, 2012, 03:38:04 PM
I was at MU form 78-82. The beginning of the descent into oblivion. At least I was kinda local, so I did enjoy the golden years.
I was there 79-83, Hank's last 4 years. Steady descent into mediocrity. Not great times, but better than the 10 years that followed.
Quote from: EnderWiggen on February 13, 2012, 03:50:40 PM
I was there from 2000-04. Sadly, I didn't give a crap about basketball at the time and was annoyed by the noise caused during our tournament win celebrations during our Final Four run. To this day, I am still embarrassed about this.
Surely you can't be serious.
Is it possible to be that uptight as a student?
I attended MU from 71 to 75, but we were not called fanatic's back then.
"It has to be a student from 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, and 1976/77. Two final four runs and a National Championship."
I agree with this. I was a freshman in 1977 when we won it all. 18 drinking age; the last year...or next to last year...of the ticket campout; running to the lakefront; a steady stream of students walking to the game from Wells Street regardless of weather, weekday, opponent, whatever; sneaking alcohol without too much of a problem into the arena; Al's announcement; the big finish. Undoubtedly the best single year in MU history. That would have been a great capper for a senior. Basketball imperceptibly started down the next year.
I WANT TO GO BACK!!!
Anytime from 2006-2012 has to be in the top 3. 6 straight tournament appearances and competing in arguably the best overall conference in college bball throughout that time. But I am biased.
Quote from: CTWarrior on February 13, 2012, 05:17:34 PM
I was there 79-83, Hank's last 4 years. Steady decent into mediocrity. Not great times, but better than the 10 years that followed.
My exact era too. I think we understood that the championships were over but we were still plenty competitive. Doc left for the NBA the year we graduated.
Quote from: murespect on February 13, 2012, 03:10:44 PM
06-07: Welcome Maurice Acker, David Cubillan, Lazar Hayward, amigos still killing, Ousmane still starting, Crean still here. For some reason not much stands out about this year except the bad loss to MSU in the tourney.
Almost losing to Idaho State then losing to North Dakota State was super weak. But it was the year we beat Duke, and the year Gameday came and later that night Kinsella hit his famous threes.
2005-09 overall was pretty fun...NCAAs all four years, get to experience the four years of the Big Three, first four years of the Big East, Novak and UConn freshman year, Buzz's first year senior year.
I was there from '01-02 to '03-'04. FF my last year. Cool to see Wade's entire career. It was law school so the experience was totally different than it would be for an undergrad, I'm sure. But I had my student tickets throughout.
1968 through 1972. We did not lose a home game, beat Kentucky in the NCAAs, won an NIT championship.
1970-1974
NIT Champs 1970, NCAA Finals 1974, in between: top ten ranking including #1, Nation's longest home court winning steak, SI Cover.
Dean the Dream, Goose, Allie, Chones, Hugh the Enforcer McMahon, George Sugar Fazier, Marcus Washington, the Black Swan, Larry McNeil, Bo, Luke and there are others. Oh yeah, Al, Hank and Rick, too. Dignified Warrior mascot.
The old arena was sold out all the time. Dime beers at the Gym and a free bus ride to the game.
If you wanted to catch the pros the Bucks won the NBA in 71 and were close all those other years including a great finals in 74 with the Celtics. Oscar, Kareem, Jonny Mac, Bobby D & Co.
Those were the days fellas.
'99-'03. Talk about going out with a bang :)
Crean getting to MU and building up the program to what it became was quite the ride!
Honestly, every year in the past 45 has been great. This is the thing about the current students that irk the old timers: you don't know how good it is (preach). Camp outs. parades down Wisconsin, toilet paper fireworks, Willie Wampun dances, Hank's rolled up programs, Rick's sweat pants, KO's antics, Mike Deane's stories, Crean's revival, and Buzz stand bound in Cleveland.
Left out: Dukiet and my highlight is that these fans are the most passionate as they weren't getting any. They are the most ardent posters here. Gotta love them!
1966-70 - freshman year was Al's first tournament team (NIT), runnerup to Clyde Frazier and SIU. Sophmore year, Al's first NCAA team, made the Sweet 16 with a win over Bowling Green before getting steamrolled by Kentucky. Junior year, payback for Al and George Thompson - MU kicks Rupp's Wildcats a$$ only to have our hearts broken by Rick Mount and Purdue in overtime in the Elite 8 game. Senior year, Al's first championship - tells the NCAA to stick it when they try to send the Warriors out of our region, goes to NY and wins the NIT when the NIT mattered.
I love this thread. I don't suppose anyone could argue against 1973-77, but it's great to read about the passions of MU fans from eras good and bad. Warrior Nation at its best!
I had the good fortune to be a freshman in 1973 and graduated in 1977. Perfect timing. The trip to Atlanta for the Final Four in '77 and seeing them win the national championship in person was the ultimate thrill. Especially after getting blown out by Wichita State in Al's last game at the Milwaukee Arena. We were thinking NIT at that point. But a strong finish on the road got us in to the big dance.
73-74 -- 26-5
74-75 -- 23-4
75-76 -- 27-2
76-77 -- 25-7
101-18 And almost half of those defeats came in the title year.
Quote from: WarriorHal on February 13, 2012, 10:42:16 PM
I had the good fortune to be a freshman in 1973 and graduated in 1977. Perfect timing. The trip to Atlanta for the Final Four in '77 and seeing them win the national championship in person was the ultimate thrill. Especially after getting blown out by Wichita State in Al's last game at the Milwaukee Arena. We were thinking NIT at that point. But a strong finish on the road got us in to the big dance.
73-74 -- 26-5
74-75 -- 23-4
75-76 -- 27-2
76-77 -- 25-7
101-18 And almost half of those defeats came in the title year.
Hal, what did the home winning streak hit?
Quote from: 2002MUalum on February 13, 2012, 06:20:01 PM
Surely you can't be serious.
Is it possible to be that uptight as a student?
Ha, I just had different interests. At the time, I was big into gaming with some great friends i met in McCormick and was into music, I was working at the radio station and was starting a band. Just different interests. I know it's hard for some people on the board to imagine, but college is a huge wide world and not everyone follows sports. Now i do, but i had different passions then.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 13, 2012, 10:46:45 PM
Hal, what did the home winning streak hit?
Marquette had an 81 game home court winning streak. It ended the season before my freshman year -- 72-73. ND's Dwight Clay hit a last second jump shot to beat the Warriors, 71-69.
I graduate in May (Queue the "cherish it" from Billy Madison). By no means am I saying that these past 4 years have been better than some of the spans mentioned above, but I have loved the consistency of the teams. Got to watch NBA tallent on every team, after all.
Time to cap this year off feeling good about the $400+ in tickets and God only knows how much in beer. Oh Bradley, how I will miss thee.
Dad is an MU alum and had 4 season tickets beginning in 1970 so I attended almost every home game from then until I enrolled as a frosh in 1978 - second year after the championship. So Iwas there while the team was top 25, but Doc came in my sophomore year and left after my senior year. I saw pretty much the entire decade of hoops in the 70's thanks to Pops and his season tix then my student tickets at the end of the decade. Love my Warriors!
Hopefully it will be 2013-14 to 2015-16 while I'm there getting my MBA
it seems we have had an undisputed winner in 73-77. its awesome that theres like 6 or 7 strong contenders for the number 2 slot. 05-09 coming up a bunch,which is nice, because they were my years. I identify more with 06-20, because i didn't really follow the team freshman year, but was as hardcore as they come the year after i graduated, and lived in milwaukee with my girlfriend still in school getting student tix for me. both of those classes have strong claims.
this is a fun thread. hooray marquette!
I've gotta agree with ecompt - those were my 4 years in MKE as well. Actually arrived for grad school, but the school had separated from MU over the summer. I got to the ticket office the first day, and it was good enough (thank God) for the lady in the athletic department, and I got tickets. Thanks to Midwestern efficiency, they got renewed every year, even though I was not at MU technically. We were, however, right next to the Old Gym, where we spent planty of time, and got to see (and very occasionally, play with, briefly) the players, and from time to time, Bucks.
Winning percentage those 4 years was .911 (make it .928 if you throw out the meaningless consolation games).
Undefeated reg season 70-71 with bitter 1-point loss to OSU, then undefeated the next year at 22-0 when Chones signed, if I remember right.
Lots of great memories like beating Ky, winning the NIT, despite Dr. J and Pistol Pete, those two magical regular seasons, the SC dukeout. 5-1 vs. Wisconsin, 2-1 vs. ND (a screw job down there in double OT). And never having to walk out of the Arena feeling bad after a loss!
Quote from: WarriorHal on February 13, 2012, 11:02:23 PM
Marquette had an 81 game home court winning streak. It ended the season before my freshman year -- 72-73. ND's Dwight Clay hit a last second jump shot to beat the Warriors, 71-69.
wow.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 13, 2012, 08:38:17 PM
Honestly, every year in the past 45 has been great. This is the thing about the current students that irk the old timers: you don't know how good it is (preach). Camp outs. parades down Wisconsin, toilet paper fireworks, Willie Wampun dances, Hank's rolled up programs, Rick's sweat pants, KO's antics, Mike Deane's stories, Crean's revival, and Buzz stand bound in Cleveland.
Left out: Dukiet and my highlight is that these fans are the most passionate as they weren't getting any. They are the most ardent posters here. Gotta love them!
Dr.
For the most part I agree with you. I was born in '69 so i became a big fan in the mid 70's with my first memoroies being of the 76, 77 and 78 teams and Butch Lee. Then of course Hank and Doc, etc. And Yes Mu has been one of the top BBall schools in the country for the last 45 years, tremendous attendance, success, and support by thousands like ourselves.
Must midly disagree with you on the issue that i was at MU from 88-92, which while I never missed a game and had tons of fun was clearly the lowpoint of MU hoops. The students in the 60's and 70's and the late 90's and the new millenium have no idea of how great they have it.
Truly unless they have friends or family that attended UCLA, KAnsas, Arizona, Duke, UNC, or Indiana, Kentucky, or Louisville others experiences cannot compare to the MU basketball experience
I'll issue the 3rd vote for 94-97. Every year I was in school basketball meant something. That '96 team is up with IMO with '94, '03 and '09 as teams that could really, really make noise. '09 lost James and '96 fizzled out against Arkansas in the 2nd round. We all wanted UMass. Would have been a great game for an Elite 8 berth.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on February 14, 2012, 07:03:16 AM
I got to the ticket office the first day, and it was good enough (thank God) for the lady in the athletic department, and I got tickets.
Marge the ticket czar.
Quote from: murespect on February 13, 2012, 03:45:53 PM
Although the ending sucked, I'm grateful I got to experience a year of C-USA basketball with Trav before joining the Big East. The atmosphere of MU bball completely changed our soph year with the introduction of the 3 amigos and BE notoriety.
Yeap.....Plus passing the cheerleaders thru the student section.....and 18 year drinking age......
Times have changed.....
Oh Dimes, I hear ya on the Dukiet Years. I am just simply amazed how fervent you Dukieters are today about MU hoops. That is a testament in itself. I think the one highlight for you was the opening of the BC. Dark years in many ways for MU during that time.
I actually think my tiebreaker to attend MU for school was because of hoops action. At reunions even today, everyone talks MU hoops.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 14, 2012, 10:26:49 AM
Oh Dimes, I hear ya on the Dukiet Years. I am just simply amazed how fervent you Dukieters are today about MU hoops. That is a testament in itself. I think the one highlight for you was the opening of the BC. Dark years in many ways for MU during that time.
I actually think my tiebreaker to attend MU for school was because of hoops action. At reunions even today, everyone talks MU hoops.
The 77 team plus Doc Rivers ND beating half court shot moved MU up my list. The campus visit sealed it. I was there 84-88, what most would consider the nadir of modern MU hoops, and never missed a home game. My hoops passion runs deep.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on February 13, 2012, 03:27:12 PM
It has to be a student from 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, and 1976/77. Two final four runs and a National Championship.
More recently, I'd say a student from 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, and 2005/06. While your sophomore and junior years would have completly sucked, you would have seen a final four with Wade and the three amigos leading Marquette to a 4th place finish in the Big East.
You're right about 2002-2006. I'm from that class. To that point in our lives, Marquette hadn't gotten past the Sweet Sixteen, which made the Final Four all the more sweet (which is why I also think UWM getting to the Sweet 16 may have been even more rewarding for their students than our Final Four run to our students).
It was amazing being a freshman starting in 2002 because the Final Four caused even otherwise casual fans from that class to be close followers, not only then but to this day.
Add to that the gratification of joining the Big East, and it was a great time to be a student.
Quote from: DoggyDaddy on February 13, 2012, 08:10:42 PM
1970-1974
NIT Champs 1970, NCAA Finals 1974, in between: top ten ranking including #1, Nation's longest home court winning steak, SI Cover.
Dean the Dream, Goose, Allie, Chones, Hugh the Enforcer McMahon, George Sugar Fazier, Marcus Washington, the Black Swan, Larry McNeil, Bo, Luke and there are others. Oh yeah, Al, Hank and Rick, too. Dignified Warrior mascot.
The old arena was sold out all the time. Dime beers at the Gym and a free bus ride to the game.
If you wanted to catch the pros the Bucks won the NBA in 71 and were close all those other years including a great finals in 74 with the Celtics. Oscar, Kareem, Jonny Mac, Bobby D & Co.
Those were the days fellas.
Same here 1970-1974! Who can forget the game where Lucas hit the winning shot at the buzzer over Wisconsin and AL got up on the scorers desk. We walked outside to find a huge amount of snow had fallen and knew there was no school the next day! Oh and you left out "Spider" Mills!
and Dave Delsman and Craig (the one and only 7ft guy in the AL era) Butrym.
Hey they used to say a prayer before tip off: "God our heavenly Father..." that alone psyched teams like Wisconsin. Yes, I remember the shot from Luke, it was during the finals of the Old Milwaukee Classic.
I'm going to have to vote for the recent era since every game is on tv and online now. You get to actually enjoy every victory.
05-09 were good years. Not the best but certainly a good time to be an MU fan. 05-06 was such a surprise. Beating UConn at home in our first BE games.. First year of the Buzz tenure... downside was the early exits from the tournament.
90-94. Wouldn't trade them. Sweet 16, ridiculous student section seats. Had a great time at all the games. MCC conference kind of sucked, Great MidWest was kind of exciting at the time, nothing to be excited about now.
Going from 11-18 to 24-9 might be one of the bigger turnarounds in a 4 year span.
Quote from: WarriorHal on February 13, 2012, 11:02:23 PM
Marquette had an 81 game home court winning streak. It ended the season before my freshman year -- 72-73. ND's Dwight Clay hit a last second jump shot to beat the Warriors, 71-69.
Dwight Clay was also the one who hit the big shot at South Bend to end UCLA's streak. Was at that game with my dad.
My years were 79 - 83. Had tons of fun. Here's some of the highlights for me:
Dean Marquardt's post accident game against ND. Big break out.
Hank Raymonds coming over to the basement of Schroeder to tell us about a recruit from Chicago who could take off from the FT line and dunk...he later went on to coach an NBA championship team.
THE tomahawk dunk.
Doc's half court shot to beat ND.
Watching Sam Worthen play point guard.
Getting a forearm shiver from Terrell Sclundt at the rec center after trying to block his shot.
The anti gravity man.
Showing up in Hank's office without an appointment to ask him about sports agents for a class project, and Hank spending 30 minutes with me.
Going to ND senior year and watching the Warriors stomp the livin' piss out of them. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: MARQEVANS on February 14, 2012, 01:19:52 PM
Same here 1970-1974! Who can forget the game where Lucas hit the winning shot at the buzzer over Wisconsin and AL got up on the scorers desk.
The best part of that famous scene was watching the father of the Badger player flip Coach Al off. I can't seem to recall his name at the moment but that has to be one of the greatest MU photos of all time.
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2e3z590.jpg)
Quote from: jsglow on February 14, 2012, 09:15:50 PM
The best part of that famous scene was watching the father of the Badger player flip Coach Al off. I can't seem to recall his name at the moment but that has to be one of the greatest MU photos of all time.
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2e3z590.jpg)
Glenn Hughes. Father of Kim and Kerry Hughes. Pretty good players, both played in the NBA, one longer than the other (can't remember which). Fabulous picture.
Quote from: jsglow on February 14, 2012, 09:15:50 PM
The best part of that famous scene was watching the father of the Badger player flip Coach Al off. I can't seem to recall his name at the moment but that has to be one of the greatest MU photos of all time.
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2e3z590.jpg)
It was Kim and Kerry Hughes' dad.
Quote from: ringout on February 14, 2012, 09:31:41 PM
Glenn Hughes. Father of Kim and Kerry Hughes. Pretty good players, both played in the NBA, one longer than the other (can't remember which). Fabulous picture.
Yes...... the Hughes twins. Freakin' awesome. I wonder if Mr. Hughes is still alive? If so, we should invite him to the BC and have Assistant AD McInerny give him some kind of award! Put the pic up on the jumbotron.
Quote from: jsglow on February 14, 2012, 09:37:20 PM
Yes...... the Hughes twins. Freakin' awesome. I wonder if Mr. Hughes is still alive? If so, we should invite him to the BC and have Assistant AD McInerny give him some kind of award! Put the pic up on the jumbotron.
Was that game at the MECCA?
No, Milwaukee Arena ;)
Yep. Well before they came up with the MECCA name.
Not to digress but I loved the Milwaukee Classic. Back in the day my folks weren't season ticket holders but a friend and colleague of my dad was and always gave us access to the Classic tickets. I was young at the time but feel blessed to have seen all of the 70s greats play.
Ugh. Not me.
96/97-99/00.
But before I get into those years, I want to say that the student-athletes on these teams were, as far as I experienced, quality people. Names like Cliff, Wardle, Mueller, West. I wish they would have had more success.
96/97 – Maine. Won C-USA tourney: four games in four days. Then had the Deane debacle against Providence and Austin Croshere from ¾ court. Overall Record: 22-9
97/98 – Opened the season with a win at UW@Probation, then a 24-point whuppin' against Notre Dame. That's pretty much as good as it would get. Started the season off 10-0. Went 10-11 the rest of the way en route to a NIT Third round loss @ Minnesota.
98/99 – 14-15. Last year of Deane.
99/00 – 15-14. NIT one and done.
Four year record: 72-49.
1 C-USA tournament championship
1 NCAA Appearance (loss)
2 NIT Appearances (2-2 overall)
1 Year with no postseason.
Back to that game against Bucky and the Hughes twins at the Mecca. Mo hits the turnaround J at the buzzer and the place exploded. (3 votes for Maurice Lucas as MU's all time Fav???--that sure speaks to the board's followers--I wonder why--there should be more older guys?)
Thing was as the Arena emptied there was a major snow storm going on. Bars were crazy...in part with the anticipation of school being called off. If memory serves it was a school night--and school eventually was called off.
At least I never went. ;) Yeah, that was just one highlight of my time on the Hilltop, '72-76, though I dated a girl a year my junior and was up there for all/most of the '77 championship hysteria. Including VICTORY and the triumphant march down wisconsin ave to the lake. Why to the the lake? We weren't sure about that once we got there either.
Another memory of that era; I'll bet there is not one of us who doesn't think the '76 team should have beaten the undefeated Quinn Buckner-Kent Benson-Scott May-Bobby Wilkerson National Champion Hoosiers. The score says 65-56. It was a lot closer than that.
And no, we were WARRIORS then, never Hilltoppers.
Marquette was ranked #2 in the country before that loss to the eventual champs in the tourney, had won 23 straight and finished the season 27-2.
That team might be a third place finisher to the two Finals teams that played in the four year period between'73-74 and '76-'77. Those were the days.
I won't write a lengthy post on why "my" 2008-2011 teams were the best in MU history, but any student who got to cheer for Lazar Hayward was a lucky one. I haven't been a fan long enough to know for certain, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more likable player to root for, interact with and watch play his heart out every minute of every game than Hayward.
I was 06-10, four great years of MU basketball, but after reading through all of these posts (which is great) I just keep coming back to how heartbreaking the NCAA tourney losses were after each season. I know that I can't complain because 4 straight years in the tournament is awesome, but look at this list:
06-07 - I'll never forget when CBS switched away from the Marquette/Michigan State game. That hurt.
07-08 - Lasting image has got to be Ousmane on the bench as Lopez and Stanford break our hearts in OT.
08-09 - My namesake Lazar steps over the inbound line against Mizzou after we make the furious comeback from down 17. They changed the free throw rule after what happened with Kim English in that game.
09-10 - When Pondexter hits the shot for Washington that knocks us out I was numb.
All of those happened while I was in school and each year all I ever really wanted was to see us get into the sweet sixteen. My first year out it happened.
So I would have to make the argument for the most recent class of grads, 11, being third on the list behind anyone who saw the team win a national title, or saw Dwade lead us to the final four. I know we have had some other monster years, but the BE this past 7 years has been sensational. Going out with an MU win over Syracuse to get to the sweet 16? That is pretty awesome.
Gotta reiterate: great thread.
Does someone want to poll up the 4 year periods covered here?
I say that because I'm pretty sure there are watchers that aren't posters who would participate in the poll.
Quote from: boyonthedock on February 14, 2012, 03:57:45 PM
I'm going to have to vote for the recent era since every game is on tv and online now. You get to actually enjoy every victory.
This is no small point, especially living in Connecticut. The first few years after I graduated in the early 80s I used to call the Marquette SID office just to find out if they'd won their recent games. The games used to finish too late for even the score to make the papers around here. I remember in the late 80s calling some phone number at 50 cents a minute or whatever and try to time it so I could listen to the last 5-10 minutes of the radio call of the game (I didn't have a lot of disposable income back then). It was a huge deal for me the 2 or 3 times a year they were on TV back then. Now I moan if I have to listen to the Mount Saint Mary's game on the internet radio instead of watching on TV. What a difference!
Quote from: MUrugger on February 14, 2012, 11:26:14 PM
Back to that game against Bucky and the Hughes twins at the Mecca. Mo hits the turnaround J at the buzzer and the place exploded. (3 votes for Maurice Lucas as MU's all time Fav???--that sure speaks to the board's followers--I wonder why--there should be more older guys?)
Thing was as the Arena emptied there was a major snow storm going on. Bars were crazy...in part with the anticipation of school being called off. If memory serves it was a school night--and school eventually was called off.
At least I never went. ;) Yeah, that was just one highlight of my time on the Hilltop, '72-76, though I dated a girl a year my junior and was up there for all/most of the '77 championship hysteria. Including VICTORY and the triumphant march down wisconsin ave to the lake. Why to the the lake? We weren't sure about that once we got there either.
Another memory of that era; I'll bet there is not one of us who doesn't think the '76 team should have beaten the undefeated Quinn Buckner-Kent Benson-Scott May-Bobby Wilkerson National Champion Hoosiers. The score says 65-56. It was a lot closer than that.
And no, we were WARRIORS then, never Hilltoppers.
We ran out of road! :D
The usually not-so-tolerant Milwaukee police of that era were actually quite tolerant that day.
Quote from: MUrugger on February 14, 2012, 11:38:08 PM
Marquette was ranked #2 in the country before that loss to the eventual champs in the tourney, had won 23 straight and finished the season 27-2.
That team might be a third place finisher to the two Finals teams that played in the four year period between'73-74 and '76-'77. Those were the days.
The '71 team was still, IMHO, the best ever. 28-1, with the loss in a horribly officiated game - the only time Dean the Dream ever fouled out. That was a complete team. The '72 team could have challenged them for that spot, if not for Chones departure mid season.
As for the '76 team, Quinn Buckner had an offensive game no one expected and Lucky Lloyd was off that day. Disappointing end. And a travesty that the #1 v #2 was in the Regional Final. That was the way the NCAA was back then.
STill remember the build up to the game. Even without ESPN, it had national interest. My favorite quote was from a former MU player, who said "You could lock Buckner alone in they gym overnight and he still wouldn't score." Unfortunately, that comment came back to haunt them.
I know I am in the running for Old Fart of the Year, but here goes.
Marquette was a top 5 team most of the 70's, many times top 2 behind UCLA (9 straight NCAA tourney championships).
I love that younger alums have a warm spot for their era, but man, being a Marquette fan during the Al era rocked.
Quote from: ringout on February 15, 2012, 12:53:01 PM
I know I am in the running for Old Fart of the Year, but here goes.
Marquette was a top 5 team most of the 70's, many times top 2 behind UCLA (9 straight NCAA tourney championships).
I love that younger alums have a warm spot for their era, but man, being a Marquette fan during the Al era rocked.
Agreed. Sometimes it seems like we could hang another 'retired' banner or two from those teams. It's a little like that somewhat silly conversation that was occurring about the 2011 Packers team being the best of all time during their streak. Ummmm. No.
This was a very cool thread. Going over each memory from each poster reminded me that despite some of the grief we give each other we are all one in our love of MU hoops.
Quote from: ecompt on February 15, 2012, 01:48:14 PM
This was a very cool thread. Going over each memory from each poster reminded me that despite some of the grief we give each other we are all one in our love of MU hoops.
Amen
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on February 15, 2012, 07:38:18 AM
We ran out of road! :D
The usually not-so-tolerant Milwaukee police of that era were actually quite tolerant that day.
The snow was so bad that kids were "skitching" on the back of cars. Some on the back of "paddy wagons" Over 25 kids were arrested. I had a part time job with the Treasurers office and we ran a check to the police department to bail out quite a few!
I was pretty lucky having my undergrad stint from '02/03' - '05/'06 and then law school from '06/'07 - '08'/09. Never missed a game in undergrad (including first 4 rounds of NCAAs in '03) except when I was traveling with the band for one of the women's trips. I didn't get to quite as many games in law school, but they were good years too and it was great being on campus for them.
Quote from: CTWarrior on February 15, 2012, 07:18:41 AM
This is no small point, especially living in Connecticut. The first few years after I graduated in the early 80s I used to call the Marquette SID office just to find out if they'd won their recent games. The games used to finish too late for even the score to make the papers around here. I remember in the late 80s calling some phone number at 50 cents a minute or whatever and try to time it so I could listen to the last 5-10 minutes of the radio call of the game (I didn't have a lot of disposable income back then). It was a huge deal for me the 2 or 3 times a year they were on TV back then. Now I moan if I have to listen to the Mount Saint Mary's game on the internet radio instead of watching on TV. What a difference!
My two best stories would be calling the SID office to find out if MU had made the NIT in 1990, and staying up 'til 430 in the morning to see an MU - Tulane score on CNN Headline News in about '93. Hasn't been that long since the days when it was near impossible in Western Wisconsin to follow MU.
Quote from: real chili 83 on February 14, 2012, 09:11:55 PM
Showing up in Hank's office without an appointment to ask him about sports agents for a class project, and Hank spending 30 minutes with me.
I was one autograph short of having the entire team in my Classic program at age 7 in '78. Coach Raymonds let me come into the locker room and get that autograph I needed. Been in love for 33-plus years since.
Quote from: jsglow on February 14, 2012, 09:49:48 PM
Not to digress but I loved the Milwaukee Classic. Back in the day my folks weren't season ticket holders but a friend and colleague of my dad was and always gave us access to the Classic tickets. I was young at the time but feel blessed to have seen all of the 70s greats play.
Went to every Classic from 78 'til I started school in '89. Got to see a lot of great college players, Doc Rivers, Tony Smith, Joe Dumars, Fat Lever, Ron Harper, Mouse McFadden, etc.
Quote from: ringout on February 15, 2012, 12:53:01 PM
I know I am in the running for Old Fart of the Year, but here goes.
Marquette was a top 5 team most of the 70's, many times top 2 behind UCLA (9 straight NCAA tourney championships).
I love that younger alums have a warm spot for their era, but man, being a Marquette fan during the Al era rocked.
I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating here. Marquette had the second highest winning percentage in the 1970's decade behind UCLA, and I believ it was one of the top five winning percentages of any team in the history of college hoops. I have to find the information and I'll confirm it.
I also remember very well the MU vs. Undefeated Hoosiers game. We went to a local shop and bought yellow T-shirts before the game and had them iron-on "Marquett Warriors, 1976 National Champs". That's how fired up we were for the game. Somewher I have a picture of my brother, my dad and myself in those shirts holding a basketball.
Is it fair to say that us '11 grads had possibly some of the most heartbreaking years? All great seasons overall, but some of the most disappointing finishes. Those four years came down to some nail biting losses when it always felt like we were so close to it being "our year"
'07-'08: Lopez and Stanford take us down with 3 seconds left in the second round of the NCAAs
'08-'09: Start 9-0 in BE play and lose on the road to lowly USF by 1, Villanova beats us in the BE Tourney with a buzzer beater by Dwayne Aderson (his only FG of the game), Lazar steps over the line while inbounding against Mizzou.
'09-'10: We give up countless halftime leads throughout the year, including the final game of the season against a mediocre Wsahington team.
'10-'11: A year that shouldn't have been as good as it was, just wish we could have had a better showing against UNC.
Overall, never had any terrible seasons while I was there, but always felt like they'd bring you up before letting you down with a heartbreaker.
I think my time from 04-08 was more bitter than sweet.
-Won only 1 NCAA Tourney game
-Known as the Marquette Gold for a week
-Ryan Amoroso's "Ammo" bicep tattoo
-"Dameon Mason is a pied piper of Marquette" Facebook group
-Dan Fitzgerald mastered giving up the worst shooting fouls (slight tap on the non ball possessing hand)
Quote from: Blue Horseshoe on February 16, 2012, 11:32:44 AM
I think my time from 04-08 was more bitter than sweet.
-Won only 1 NCAA Tourney game
-Known as the Marquette Gold for a week
-Ryan Amoroso's "Ammo" bicep tattoo
-"Dameon Mason is a pied piper of Marquette" Facebook group
-Dan Fitzgerald mastered giving up the worst shooting fouls (slight tap on the non ball possessing hand)
+1 Ryan Amoroso.
My 6 year run will be coming to a close this May (Engineering Co-op + grad school adds a couple years). I must say it's been quite the exciting run. It felt like I endured heartbreak the first 2/3's of my time here only to be rewarded with a sweet 16 run last year and (hopefully) another 2nd weekend appearance this year. After 4 years of disappointing first weekends in the tourney it felt great to be able to have MU in that 2nd weekend. Definitely not the best time to be a fanatic, but up there in terms of gratification.
My 05-09 years overall were pretty good, can't complain about making the tournament every year. But, to this day I still ask myself, What would of happened if D. James didn't break his foot? That 09 team was special, and they certainly looked like a sweet 16 team up until the injury.
All I wanted in my four years was a trip to the sweet 16, and sometimes you have to wait for the good things. Although I was not a student last year, making it to the second weekend sure was fun. Here's for more of the same this year.
Quote from: marquette09 on February 17, 2012, 12:02:35 AM
My 05-09 years overall were pretty good, can't complain about making the tournament every year. But, to this day I still ask myself, What would of happened if D. James didn't break his foot? That 09 team was special, and they certainly looked like a sweet 16 team up until the injury.
All I wanted in my four years was a trip to the sweet 16, and sometimes you have to wait for the good things. Although I was not a student last year, making it to the second weekend sure was fun. Here's for more of the same this year.
This. I can't agree with 2011 having been the most heartbreaking, because both 10 (mine) and 09 never made it to the sweet sixteen, which is really all we ever wanted.
And to the D. James point... ouch. We call that game No-Class-UConn because we skipped class all day in preparation. Of course UConn also has very little class, so that helps.
73-77
Quote from: Blue Horseshoe on February 16, 2012, 11:32:44 AM
-Dan Fitzgerald mastered giving up the worst shooting fouls (slight tap on the non ball possessing hand)
That's funny. Around my house a moving screen is known as a "Grimm" and a stupid ticky-tack foul leading to an old-fashioned three point play is a "Fitz", as in, "I can't believe he Fitzed him there!"
I should probably come up with some positive ones.
Quote from: CTWarrior on February 17, 2012, 08:53:38 AM
That's funny. Around my house a moving screen is known as a "Grimm" and a stupid ticky-tack foul leading to an old-fashioned three point play is a "Fitz", as in, "I can't believe he Fitzed him there!"
My guy. I reference a "Fitz" foul all the time.
Quote from: Blue Horseshoe on February 17, 2012, 11:07:17 AM
My guy. I reference a "Fitz" foul all the time.
Nobody ever got less value out of his fouls than Fitz.
Also, to stay on topic, I was at Marquette during all five years of the Deane Experience. Thanks to the engineering co-op program, I missed huge chunks of basketball season the last three years. "I wouldn't exactly say I've been missing it, Bob".
During my senior year and my senior year, I could not have been more apathetic about MU hoops. I went to a few games, typically showed up late, and was able to sit lower bowl student section. Also, I remember one game where they put the words to the fight song on every student's seat because nobody knew them. Deane's period was a slow descent to mediocrity in a bad conference.
Finally, I've said it before, but one of the highlights of my #mubb experience was rushing the court of the Mecca after beating South Florida to advance to the Final Four... of the NIT. Others include some big Saturday games (like beating Memphis) and the CUSA tourney run. Marquette Hoops Fever... '95-99!