Al and MU in the 70s vs. Wright and Nova in the 2010s

[Goose]

MU82

I was in eighth grade when we won it. Judging by my future behavior, I might have enjoyed that run if I had been old enough to be at MU for Al's time.

[Goose]

Piper

I'm going with your update. We were the #3 program in the 1970's!! Thanks for clearing that up. I was stupid enough to believe we were #2 for the last 38 years.

[MU82]

MU82

I was in eighth grade when we won it. Judging by my future behavior, I might have enjoyed that run if I had been old enough to be at MU for Al's time.

Wait ... so all this talk from you and others about how special it was to be a student when we won it all, and you actually were an 8th-grade student? Interesting.

[Galway Eagle]

Piper

I'm going with your update. We were the #3 program in the 1970's!! Thanks for clearing that up. I was stupid enough to believe we were #2 for the last 38 years.

Not trying to say we were number three, I would reference a thread on holylandofhoops forum where I argue we were number two. But it's hard to argue we didn't have an easy schedule comparatively. I think if there's an argument that another team was number 2 it should at least be acknowledged rather than blindly following. But that's just my opinion, I prefer to see both sides

[Goose]

MU82

I have never said it was special because I was a student at the time, because I was not. Just had a little different seat than most eighth graders. Now, obviously handful of folks that lived the dream on campus posting on here. As for me, there was never any false advertisement for my time on campus.

[Goose]

Piper

Good stuff.

[GGGG]

Not trying to say we were number three, I would reference a thread on holylandofhoops forum where I argue we were number two. But it's hard to argue we didn't have an easy schedule comparatively. I think if there's an argument that another team was number 2 it should at least be acknowledged rather than blindly following. But that's just my opinion, 8 prefer to see both sides

Strength of schedule really wasn't a thing back in the 1970s though.  The problem I have with that is that you are applying 2010s metrics retroactively 40 years ago.

I mean, arguing whether or not you were the #2 or #3 program in a decade that ended almost 40 years ago is a little silly to begin with.

[Galway Eagle]

Strength of schedule really wasn't a thing back in the 1970s though.  The problem I have with that is that you are applying 2010s metrics retroactively 40 years ago.

I mean, arguing whether or not you were the #2 or #3 program in a decade that ended almost 40 years ago is a little silly to begin with.

Then you can be the one to message sagarian and deal with it because I'm not applying jack. I'm only here to pass along info that it seemed many hadn't seen before so that people realize maybe we weren't head and shoulders above everyone else as it gets reported on here.

[MU82]

MU82

I have never said it was special because I was a student at the time, because I was not. Just had a little different seat than most eighth graders. Now, obviously handful of folks that lived the dream on campus posting on here. As for me, there was never any false advertisement for my time on campus.

Fair enough, Goose. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was impugning your integrity. I obviously mis-read earlier stuff.

It would have been cool to be there no matter when, but extra cool to have been a Warriors student!! We were both a little too young for that.

[Goose]

MU82

No problem at all. I just assumed you know I was too young to have been a student at that time. It would have been a blast!!

[GooooMarquette]

MU82

I was in eighth grade when we won it. Judging by my future behavior, I might have enjoyed that run if I had been old enough to be at MU for Al's time.

I'm one year older than you. I was in 9th grade at Marquette...High School.

Fortunately I was able to go to all 5 tournament games because my dad was an alum and long-time season ticket holder. So I didn't quite have the MU student experience in '77, but it was awesome nevertheless.

[Goose]

Goooo

What grade school did you go to? Pius guy here, but 95% of my grade school class was MUHS.

[GGGG]

Then you can be the one to message sagarian and deal with it because I'm not applying jack. I'm only here to pass along info that it seemed many hadn't seen before so that people realize maybe we weren't head and shoulders above everyone else as it gets reported on here.

Ok dude.

[harryp]

a couple of points about our "Al" record -- in1972, its been mentioned about Chones leaving, but hasn't about Lackey leaving at the same time.  Another point is that at that time the NCAA had 2 at large berths. One from the league that had Miami of Ohio and the other, I can't remember. The at large teams played one of these and it they won would play either the Big Ten winner or the SEC winner, which would generally be KY.  Originally they would play on their home court, and on successive nights.  McGuire put an end to this, but, even in that year, it led to an NIT, rather than an NCAA bid. The result was that MU had an almost impossible route to an NCAA championship, and would have had an even better record.

[oldwarrior81]

a couple of points about our "Al" record -- in1972, its been mentioned about Chones leaving, but hasn't about Lackey leaving at the same time.  Another point is that at that time the NCAA had 2 at large berths. One from the league that had Miami of Ohio and the other, I can't remember. The at large teams played one of these and it they won would play either the Big Ten winner or the SEC winner, which would generally be KY.  Originally they would play on their home court, and on successive nights.  McGuire put an end to this, but, even in that year, it led to an NIT, rather than an NCAA bid. The result was that MU had an almost impossible route to an NCAA championship, and would have had an even better record.

Lackey didn't leave early during the 1972 season.  Although Lackey was threatened with a suspension by the NCAA after the first round game.

In 1972 there were at least two at-large bids in each of the four regions.  A total of 9 independents in the 23 team field.  My take is that an independent may have had an easier path to the NCAA's than a team that was required to win the conference tourney in a one bid ACC.


In 1970, Al was upset because the two at-large bids in the Mideast, playing in Dayton, went to #4 Jacksonville (Artis Gilmore), and #9 Notre Dame (Austin Carr).

The NCAA offered an at-large in the Midwest, playing #12 Houston in Fort Worth.

Al was certain Rupp kept Marquette out of the Mideast which is where the SEC champion would be sent.

[GooooMarquette]

Goooo

What grade school did you go to? Pius guy here, but 95% of my grade school class was MUHS.

I was kind of an outsider at MUHS - I grew up in Menomonee Falls and went to the public schools through 8th grade.

I was thrilled with the chance to go to MUHS so I went as a frosh...but the long commute and challenges in feeling like I belonged got to be challenges, so I transferred back to the MF public schools as a sophomore.

So it's just serendipity that the one and only year I went to a catholic school coincided with MU's championship run.

I did go to MU after high school though - '80-'83.

[Newsdreams]

Fair enough, Goose. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was impugning your integrity. I obviously mis-read earlier stuff.

It would have been cool to be there no matter when, but extra cool to have been a Warriors student!! We were both a little too young for that.

Maybe your confusion is because he has on occasion stated that he is too old to wait for another championship. 82 you are 1 year older than me and I still feel extremely young. I was a junior in HS when MU won it all. Regarding the teams Al built he had that NY inner city connection and was not afraid to go to Harlem, so he got to recruit amazing players.

[Goose]

Newsdreams

Maybe your confusion is with somebody else. I can assure you I have NEVER said I was too old to wait for a championship. I may call myself old, to the young guns, but I have plenty of time for MU to win another one. You must of mistaken me for someone else.

[Newsdreams]

Newsdreams

Maybe your confusion is with somebody else. I can assure you I have NEVER said I was too old to wait for a championship. I may call myself old, to the young guns, but I have plenty of time for MU to win another one. You must of mistaken me for someone else.

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