MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Dawson Rental on November 21, 2017, 01:19:23 AM
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Those of you around in 1977 know what I'm talking about.
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Yes we do. Do you still have the handout that was on every seat before Al's final game at the Milwaukee Arena? It was entitled simply: "AL"
We lost three in a row during the final homestand in 1977. Hard to believe after having such a dominant run for so many years, including 83 (or was it 81?) in a row from 1967 to 1971. I never saw MU lose at home during my entire years as a student (1967-71).
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I never saw MU lose at home during my entire years as a student (1967-71).
That's incredible.
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I believe it was 82 in a row at home. Al's last game was one that I will never forget.
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Cheese Johnson was the WSU star IIRC.
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Wuz at the trifecta back den that started wit a double OT loss to DaPaul, followed bye Dickie V’s Detroit, and finally Wichita St. Didn’t tink da Warriors had it in ‘em. Shoulda known bedder. When ya got Butch, Bo, J, JB, Rosie, BT, etc., you are motherfookin’ loaded, ai na?
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Cheese Johnson was the WSU star IIRC.
He was and he killed us. Lynbert was unstoppable, he might have hit 40. A very bad time for Al's NYC pipeline to fail.
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Yes we do. Do you still have the handout that was on every seat before Al's final game at the Milwaukee Arena? It was entitled simply: "AL"
We lost three in a row during the final homestand in 1977. Hard to believe after having such a dominant run for so many years, including 83 (or was it 81?) in a row from 1967 to 1971. I never saw MU lose at home during my entire years as a student (1967-71).
Long gone, I'm afraid
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I was there, I remember they were on the bubble with the way they finished the season.
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4ever
I lost faith during that run. Lost a lot of home games that year. But, turned out pretty good!!
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I was there, I remember they were on the bubble with the way they finished the season.
Bubble? We were out of the tournament.......... at least that's what everyone was convinced of after that loss. Lots of boos at the end of the game. MU was literally the last team in the year we won it all. No wonder Al lost it at the end of the championship game against North Carolina.
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Bubble? We were out of the tournament.......... at least that's what everyone was convinced of after that loss. Lots of boos at the end of the game. MU was literally the last team in the year we won it all. No wonder Al lost it at the end of the championship game against North Carolina.
I wonder how Al would be remembered had we been left out or had K State forced and won in overtime in the second game. That last run of 5 wins likely not only changed the perception of Al but our basketball program and University as a whole.
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Brew
The way he went out added a lot to the Al era legacy and means a lot in the big picture. Anyone close to the program, and there were thousands, likely would have had 99% the same feelings about the Al era. So many memorable games, quotes, all time great players and just Al in general forged his legacy well before the final game.
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Yes we do. Do you still have the handout that was on every seat before Al's final game at the Milwaukee Arena? It was entitled simply: "AL"
We lost three in a row during the final homestand in 1977. Hard to believe after having such a dominant run for so many years, including 83 (or was it 81?) in a row from 1967 to 1971. I never saw MU lose at home during my entire years as a student (1967-71).
Still have mine! Awesome piece of MU memorabilia....
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Yeah butt, how many y’all have a piece of championship Monday’s net, hey?
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Bubble? We were out of the tournament.......... at least that's what everyone was convinced of after that loss. Lots of boos at the end of the game. MU was literally the last team in the year we won it all. No wonder Al lost it at the end of the championship game against North Carolina.
that's true and no team had ever won the title with as many losses as MU, 7. I don't even remember if they used the term bubble back then.
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that's true and no team had ever won the title with as many losses as MU, 7. I don't even remember if they used the term bubble back then.
Yep. We had the lead over a very good Michigan team on the road at halftime when we got in, and that may very well have convinced the committee to give us the last spot....
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Doc
You earned the piece of the net. Very jealous!!
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Brew
The way he went out added a lot to the Al era legacy and means a lot in the big picture. Anyone close to the program, and there were thousands, likely would have had 99% the same feelings about the Al era. So many memorable games, quotes, all time great players and just Al in general forged his legacy well before the final game.
I have no doubt that's true, but I think that final run took him from legacy to legendary. I'm confident those that were there would have the same feelings, but I'm not sure his name would've resonated with younger generations the way it does.
Does the McGuire play exist without the title? Do generations of coaches like O'Neill and Crean view Marquette at the same viable destination level? Would his name be mentioned as frequently in national media when we play?
I definitely think he created an emblematic brand that resonated with an entire generation, but I think the title may have helped stamp that brand indelibly into the future.
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Bubble? We were out of the tournament.......... at least that's what everyone was convinced of after that loss. Lots of boos at the end of the game. MU was literally the last team in the year we won it all. No wonder Al lost it at the end of the championship game against North Carolina.
I was in the student section. Most of those boos were directed at the refs who tossed Al out of the game. I always felt it was fitting Al got tossed his last home game. Great memories.
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Still have mine! Awesome piece of MU memorabilia....
Can us younger folk get some pics????
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I was in the student section. Most of those boos were directed at the refs who tossed Al out of the game. I always felt it was fitting Al got tossed his last home game. Great memories.
Bill Neary thought differently. Didn't he give fans the finger during the parade?
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79 Warriors
Correct on the booing and Al's early exit. The home team was screwed that night.
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brew
No doubt running the table is a big part of Al being legendary. That said, his tenure at MU changed the landscape in college basketball is so many ways. He was a legend with fans, the media and his peers well before March 28, 1977.
This past year at Al's Run I was thinking about when the race was one of the top 2-3 attended in the country for a period of time. Winning the tourney was huge, but I believe his legend was created well before then.
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brew
No doubt running the table is a big part of Al being legendary. That said, his tenure at MU changed the landscape in college basketball is so many ways. He was a legend with fans, the media and his peers well before March 28, 1977.
This past year at Al's Run I was thinking about when the race was one of the top 2-3 attended in the country for a period of time. Winning the tourney was huge, but I believe his legend was created well before then.
It's certainly interesting to wonder what might have been. That said, I don't think it could've went any better and I think we can all agree winning the title was for the best ;D
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The what if game goes both ways. What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77? Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!
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The what if game goes both ways. What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77? Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!
Very true, Lazar. Al and the Warriors had two final fours and a championship in that magical period. The fates smiled on us in 1977, but we endured a lot of tough luck prior to that - several FFs and multiple championships were real possibilities.
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I wasn't around in 1977. But I truly appreciate those who were. Remembering the Al McGuire era honors the tremendous contributions of those who have come before — and reminds us what success at the highest level looks like.
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Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:
We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!" Whenever he got into it with the refs. This was done for years and years.
Total Fun.
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Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:
We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!" Whenever he got into it with the refs. This was done for years and years.
Total Fun.
I think Izzo might
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The what if game goes both ways. What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77? Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!
Al is a huge legend. None bigger than Al, except possibly Wooden, and maybe Knight. Al was more colorful than Wooden, and Knight, what can one say? And please, Coach K, a legend?
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I have no doubt that's true, but I think that final run took him from legacy to legendary. I'm confident those that were there would have the same feelings, but I'm not sure his name would've resonated with younger generations the way it does.
Does the McGuire play exist without the title? Do generations of coaches like O'Neill and Crean view Marquette at the same viable destination level? Would his name be mentioned as frequently in national media when we play?
I definitely think he created an emblematic brand that resonated with an entire generation, but I think the title may have helped stamp that brand indelibly into the future.
It will be interesting to see how Bo Ryan is viewed at UW in 20 years. He had a lot of success but didn't get a championship. He didn't have the charisma of Al (except with the masseuses).
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Can us younger folk get some pics????
I'll dig it out and post tonight.
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It will be interesting to see how Bo Ryan is viewed at UW in 20 years. He had a lot of success but didn't get a championship. He didn't have the charisma of Al (except with the masseuses).
Will be an interesting comparison. My guess is in 40 years (about equal time to Al now) Ryan will be the guy with a building or court named after him, but none of the students know who is.
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79 Warriors
Correct on the booing and Al's early exit. The home team was screwed that night.
Let’s just say we kinda knew winning would be difficult that afternoon. 41 years later and we will leave it at that
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Will be an interesting comparison. My guess is in 40 years (about equal time to Al now) Ryan will be the guy with a building or court named after him, but none of the students know who is.
The buck toothed, bud light drinkin, masseuse bangin, grinch lookin' mofo that had success at UW Platteville?
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I'll dig it out and post tonight.
Thanks!
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Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:
We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!" Whenever he got into it with the refs. This was done for years and years.
Total Fun.
It was a different era. Al did whatever it took to win and we loved him for it. The fans filled the seats and cheered like hell. Unfortunately we keep hoping for MU to return to those days but apparently we are missing the mark.
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Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:
We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!" Whenever he got into it with the refs. This was done for years and years.
Total Fun.
Not only when Al got into it with the refs. At the end of every pre-game National Anthem, after the singer would sing "O'er the land of the free" someone would bellow out "GIVE 'EM HELL AL" and the rolls of toilet paper would fill the Arena air. The anthem's last line, "and the home of the brave", was rarely audible over the cheers.
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Here are a couple of pics....
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And a couple more....