20 Years Since Duke-Kentucky Classic

[Norm]

Today is the 20th anniversary of probably the greatest college basketball game ever played - Duke v Kentucky in the East Regional Final in the Philadelphia Spectrum. I watched the game with my then girlfriend (now wife), my brother and his roommate (from Kentucky and a big Wildcat fan) in their apartment just off Marquette's campus. Absolutely phenomenal game that got better with each minute. I thought it was over when Sean Woods hit the shot over Laettner's outstretched arms - and so did my brother's roommate who was going nuts. But once that long pass left Grant Hill's hand and took a perfect path to Laettner and he turned, dribbled and shot, you knew that ball was going through the net. Just an awesome game and one I'll always remember where I was when I watched it.

[warthog-driver]

Today is the 20th anniversary of probably the greatest college basketball game ever played - Duke v Kentucky in the East Regional Final in the Philadelphia Spectrum.

No. Wrong. The greatest college basketball game ever played was 28 March 1977 at the Omni in Atlanta. Marquette defeated UNC.

[Warriors4ever]

I don't know.  Before the Final Four was huge, the year MU played NC State for the title (1974), UCLA and NC State faced off in the semifinals - UCLA's long streak of 7 consecutive NCAA championships was on the line, and the semifinal game went to, as I remember it, two overtimes, I believe, before NC State won.  David Thompson and Bill Walton.  History was made that day, and many of us from MU were there.  
Taking MU's championship out of the equation, which of course is the greatest from our point of view, I always think of that game as the greatest.

[Norm]

Interesting. I think prior to the Duke-Kentucky game that the NC State-Maryland ACC Championship game in 1974 that NC State won was considered the greatest college game.

There are probably 5 games or so that could make that claim, but it's fun to recall them and debate which one was the best.

[warthog-driver]

I don't know.  Before the Final Four was huge, the year MU played NC State for the title (1974), UCLA and NC State faced off in the semifinals - UCLA's long streak of 7 consecutive NCAA championships was on the line, and the semifinal game went to, as I remember it, two overtimes, I believe, before NC State won.  David Thompson and Bill Walton.  History was made that day, and many of us from MU were there.  
Taking MU's championship out of the equation, which of course is the greatest from our point of view, I always think of that game as the greatest.

Rollie's Nova upset of G'Town is certainly up there. It still chaps my ass that we were an original Big East invitee and the administration thought staying indy was the better path. We would have avoided the wasteland era.

[warthog-driver]

Interesting. I think prior to the Duke-Kentucky game that the NC State-Maryland ACC Championship game in 1974 that NC State won was considered the greatest college game.

There are probably 5 games or so that could make that claim, but it's fun to recall them and debate which one was the best.

Regular season games would include the 1968 U of Houston (Big E) vs UCLA (Alcindor) and 1974 ND upsetting UCLA. That game put Digger on the map.

[dgies9156]

Regular season games would include  1974 ND upsetting UCLA. That game put Digger on the map.

That takes THAT game off my list. Too bad UCLA didn't win. Digger might have never even been a spot on a college road map.

Drats

[tower912]

Rollie's Nova upset of G'Town is certainly up there. It still chaps my ass that we were an original Big East invitee and the administration thought staying indy was the better path. We would have avoided the wasteland era.

At the time, the tourney only took conference champions, and we had a pretty good TV gig with WGN.   The powers-that-were failed to anticipate the rise of ESPN and the expansion of the tourney to 64 (now 68) teams.    AND, they assumed that MU made the coach, while in hindsight it is clear that the coach made MU.   "Those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it."

[muspc]

     That Duke-Kentucky game was very good, but I still think that NC State-UCLA game has it beat. Time has a way of fogging memories, but I seem to recall both NC State and UCLA playing near perfect games, with great play after great play.
     On the other hand, Duke-Kentucky was a good game, turnovers, etc. and all, with an unforgettable ending.
     But it is fun to debate.

[Rudy]

That was a great game.... My only problem was that the subject of that game came up in marriage counseling 12, 13 and 14 years later...long story, but I did not ask to put the game on. Our Obstetrician (for our first child) called in sick and the subbing doctor was a huge hoops fan. He asked my future ex-wife if he could put the game on while we were waiting for her to dilate. She said "sure".

He was on one side of her, i was on the other. The tv was at my back. I was fine, rarely looking over my shoulder and fully aware that losing track of why I was there was going to be a huge mistake. When play after play resulted in the doc going nuts while mommy's contractions became more intense I thought I should ask him to turn it off. Wow, I should have listened to myself. 

I think Woods hit a tough shot. Then I turned to watch the last play. Holy cow what a shot!! 

Fast forward to the counselling. "My husband and this doctor would not stop watching a basketball game and I pretty much had to deliver (daughter) by myself. He was not there for me." 

Oh well... Great Game.

[Bocephys]

That's a fantastic story Rudy. Women tend not to forget those things.

[Rudy]

Now my daughter seems to remember the story too.

[warthog-driver]

Now my daughter seems to remember the story too.

She doesn't remember it, Rudy. Your ex reminds her of it. Often, I'm sure.

[Rudy]

My ex is a really decent person and we never fight through the kids or even rip on each other...but that story will probably show up in my obituary.

[GGGG]

Hey, ya might as well own it.

[RushmoreAcademy]

Just reading the title of the thread made me feel incredibly old.

Just think how Grant Hill feels.... and he's still going! (but posted a DNP last night with knee inflammation)