Favorite Crean Moments (not just when he left)

[tower912]

1.  Getting to the final 4.
2.  The ND game with Novak's bomb at the buzzer.
3.  Comeback against Valparaiso and his hug with Dominic after the buzzer. 
4.  Shepherding the program into the Big East.


Thought I would try some positivity.   

[brewcity77]

Can't forget riding the ATV in his Karate outfit!

[chapman]

Getting the students into the BC three-plus hours before tip-off vs. UW.  Must have been '06?  It was frigid outside that day.  And pretty funny to see a couple of UW players walk onto the court that early and be booed by an entire full student section with every other seat in the building still empty.

[Skatastrophy]

I really appreciated that he brought out doughnuts, hot coffee and gave us students a pep talk when we were waiting outside of the BC in January/February of the 2003 season.

We would be out there from the wee hours of the morning just trying to stay warm and he'd take time to jump up on the planters where we were waiting and give us a little thank you speech. It really meant a lot to feel like we were appreciated.

He also did a great job conducting the music in the BC during the game. He sure knew how to keep a crowd pumped up when the team needed it.

Also
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/YMwXhLqDe_s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/YMwXhLqDe_s</a>

He also did an excellent job during the tough couple years when he first started building us into a program that expected to win. He wasn't quite so squirmy back then either. I found this gem on youtube that only has 100 views:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/5yPD3I0r6s8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/5yPD3I0r6s8</a>

[The Lens]

The Great Alaskan Shootout in Nov 2001.  We saw the hype (DWade) was real and we knew we were headed Uptown once again. 

Kentucky in Minny and the night that followed at Gluek's.

Beating Pitt & Georgetown back to back on Thursday / Saturday (Feb 2006) to basically assure  we were dancing again after a 2 year run in the NIT.

[MUfan12]

The Great Alaskan Shootout in Nov 2001.  We saw the hype (DWade) was real and we knew we were headed Uptown once again. 

Kentucky in Minny and the night that followed at Gluek's.

Beating Pitt & Georgetown back to back on Thursday / Saturday (Feb 2006) to basically assure  we were dancing again after a 2 year run in the NIT.

All great moments.

That Pitt game in '06 is super underrated. Saturday night home game, and it was frigid outside. Close game against a veteran, top-10 Pitt team with Krauser, Fields, Gray, Ramon, and Young. The BC was rocking that night. Novak had a huge game, Aaron Gray missed two FTs with about 25 seconds left that would have given Pitt the lead. MU won 84-82.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

All great moments.

That Pitt game in '06 is super underrated. Saturday night home game, and it was frigid outside. Close game against a veteran, top-10 Pitt team with Krauser, Fields, Gray, Ramon, and Young. The BC was rocking that night. Novak had a huge game, Aaron Gray missed two FTs with about 25 seconds left that would have given Pitt the lead. MU won 84-82.

Don't forget the massive late night party at Turners after the Pitt game. 

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

His generous donation to the new soccer facility stands out.

[4everwarriors]

Or the time the mofo got inta a fender bender goin' the wrong way on State St., hey?

[mu03eng]

I really appreciated that he brought out doughnuts, hot coffee and gave us students a pep talk when we were waiting outside of the BC in January/February of the 2003 season.

We would be out there from the wee hours of the morning just trying to stay warm and he'd take time to jump up on the planters where we were waiting and give us a little thank you speech. It really meant a lot to feel like we were appreciated.

This was great, I remember the Louisville game in '03 (F'in Reece Gaines) we were outside in -5 weather at 6 in the morning and Crean's donuts/hot chocolate saved our lives.....well that and the booze we crotched.

[tower912]

Don't forget the massive late night party at Turners after the Pitt game.

It was a great party. 

[wadesworld]

The Kentucky game is head and shoulders above everything else for me.  Amazing.

The Pitt game the round before that was a really good game too.

I believe it was that same season when we were on the road at like #3 Louisville and fell behind by 17 and ended up coming back to win.  One of their solid but not spectacular bigs tore his ACL that game, I believe.

Damion Mason's 3 point play to beat Louisville at home.

Novak's 41 and 16 to beat #2 UConn to open up our time in the BE.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Steve Novak hitting the game-winner against ND.  "No, NO, NOOOOO!!!!  (Hits shot) YESSSS!!!  Just like you drew it up!"  Haha.

[wadesworld]

Also add in Wade's interview when he first heard the news of the Marquette Gold.

[Cooby Snacks]

College Gameday + the Mike Kinsella game.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

All great moments.

That Pitt game in '06 is super underrated. Saturday night home game, and it was frigid outside. Close game against a veteran, top-10 Pitt team with Krauser, Fields, Gray, Ramon, and Young. The BC was rocking that night. Novak had a huge game, Aaron Gray missed two FTs with about 25 seconds left that would have given Pitt the lead. MU won 84-82.

That was my first game, ever.  I was actually centercourt during a TV timeout dancing with one of the MU Dance Team girls for that game.  I honestly knew nothing about Marquette basketball before that, but I became a true fanatic, and I'm not saying that in the corny way, but I was really REALLY into #mubb after that.  It blew my mind when I later learned that the same gym D. Wade used to practice in was the same gym I mustered in for Navy ROTC.

Well, I actually do remember Dominic James hitting that halfcourt shot at the buzzer against Valpo because South Hall (last year it  was on lease to the university) erupted.

[MUfan12]

Well, I actually do remember Dominic James hitting that halfcourt shot at the buzzer against Valpo because South Hall (last year it  was on lease to the university) erupted.

That shot has grown in lore over the years...

Top of the key three with 3 seconds left- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeiMnw05mDA

I was at that game. Valpo couldn't miss from three, and their bandbox of a gym was ridiculously loud. James scored MU's last 18 points to win it.

[GooooMarquette]

Pulling the Amigos back onto the court after the tough first-round loss to Alabama their freshman year, to make sure they took in the feel of being in the dance.

[keefe]

Leaving Senior Joe Chapman at home for the Big East Meetings in NYC while taking three freshmen.

[tower912]

That shot has grown in lore over the years...

Top of the key three with 3 seconds left- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeiMnw05mDA

I was at that game. Valpo couldn't miss from three, and their bandbox of a gym was ridiculously loud. James scored MU's last 18 points to win it.

It was a fun game to be at.   I was seated about 2 rows behind the Valpo bench.

[mumike22]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANsZfk5G8vA

1:10 minute mark: "I hope everything gets done in their lives that they set forth to help all of us get done in our lives what they helped us with"

huh tom?

[MUfan12]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANsZfk5G8vA

1:10 minute mark: "I hope everything gets done in their lives that they set forth to help all of us get done in our lives what they helped us with"

And with that being said, Go Marquette.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The day he kicked the dogs of multiple posters here.

[keefe]

The day he kicked the dogs of multiple posters here.

[dgies9156]

There was nothing in Crean's resume, before or since, quite like the Kentucky game at the Metrodome in 2003.

Next to 1974's National Runner-up and 1977's National Championship, it may have been the best moment ever in Marquette basketball. Kentucky was the overwhelming favorite to win it all and entered the game in its usual Number 1 in the nation ranking. What happened next washed away the frustration of the Majerus years, disgust of the Dukiet years and disappointment at Kevin O'Neill leaving and Mike Dean's tenure.

In the years since Al left, this was our "one shining moment!" We did it the way Marquette always did it .. we knocked the door down on our terms, walked in the house screaming and yelled, "we're here a--h---s, deal with it!"

Too bad someone called the cops and escorted us out a week later (Kansas).

[Dr. Blackheart]

DWIII's coming out party at DePaul.  This was the beginning of the end of Pat Kennedy's reign, he who had bypassed Wade and Henry for other Illinois recruits.  Was with family and friends in the DePaul section, including being around DePaul player families, who were stunned by the display.

At halftime, CTC arguably first let Wade free within in his system to let him dominate.  This may have been his best game, one he completely and utterly vanquished a still them major rival, made a stake in his hometown, and settled a score with Kennedy and #3's grassroots peers. 

He fully arrived and there was no doubt after Crean set him free after jazzing the team at halftime.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-01-20/sports/0201200430_1_depaul-coach-pat-kennedy-blue-demons-cordell-henry

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Pulling the Amigos back onto the court after the tough first-round loss to Alabama their freshman year, to make sure they took in the feel of being in the dance.

He did that, as he did everything, for media attention.

[keefe]

Too bad someone called the cops and escorted us out a week later (Kansas).

The most shameful and humiliating moment in the long, otherwise proud story that is Marquette basketball. To have happened on so public a stage made the sting that much more hateful.

[dgies9156]

The most shameful and humiliating moment in the long, otherwise proud story that is Marquette basketball. To have happened on so public a stage made the sting that much more hateful.

Keefe -- afraid not.

The most shameful an humiliating moment in MU history can be summed up in three words:

Miami of Ohio.

1978 --the day we learned the world as we knew it would end. That's why Kentucky was so special.

[willie warrior]

There was nothing in Crean's resume, before or since, quite like the Kentucky game at the Metrodome in 2003.

Next to 1974's National Runner-up and 1977's National Championship, it may have been the best moment ever in Marquette basketball. Kentucky was the overwhelming favorite to win it all and entered the game in its usual Number 1 in the nation ranking. What happened next washed away the frustration of the Majerus years, disgust of the Dukiet years and disappointment at Kevin O'Neill leaving and Mike Dean's tenure.

In the years since Al left, this was our "one shining moment!" We did it the way Marquette always did it .. we knocked the door down on our terms, walked in the house screaming and yelled, "we're here a--h---s, deal with it!"

Too bad someone called the cops and escorted us out a week later (Kansas).

Now that was a game for the ages. Unfortunately, our next game in the FF was a game for the stone age.

[79Warrior]

Keefe -- afraid not.

The most shameful an humiliating moment in MU history can be summed up in three words:

Miami of Ohio.

1978 --the day we learned the world as we knew it would end. That's why Kentucky was so special.

Remember it well. Silence in the Mug Rack. Everyone was stunned.

[MUDPT]

Leaving the Amigos in, up 20+ against UWM in '07 was the ultimate Crean move.  This was the first game against them in a long time and I'm pretty sure he was sticking into to their AD with all of his comments in the media in prior years.  Certainly pissed off the 4 UWM fans sitting around me.

[The Lens]

Only TC would worry about UWM.

[keefe]

Keefe -- afraid not.

The most shameful an humiliating moment in MU history can be summed up in three words:

Miami of Ohio.

1978 --the day we learned the world as we knew it would end. That's why Kentucky was so special.

I remember that afternoon vividly. I think we all knew that our run was over. Hank was a gracious man. But he was not the right man.

If Hank was not the choice in 1964 I am not certain why he was the right choice in 1977. Loyalty can be a dangerous thing.

What is particularly galling is that Denny Crum and Digger were crawling on their bellies for the Marquette job. But they gave it to Hank...

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I remember that afternoon vividly. I think we all knew that our run was over. Hank was a gracious man. But he was not the right man.

If Hank was not the choice in 1964 I am not certain why he was the right choice in 1977. Loyalty can be a dangerous thing.

What is particularly galling is that Denny Crum and Digger were crawling on their bellies for the Marquette job. But they gave it to Hank...

Yea but would you really want digger as our head coach?

[keefe]

Yea but would you really want digger as our head coach?

No, because I would have taken Crum in a heartbeat

[dgies9156]

No, because I would have taken Crum in a heartbeat

We have discussed this before and Keefe, I absolutely agree with you.

We had the Number 1 program in the nation at the time.

We were coming off a national championship.

We could have had anyone in the country as head coach NOT named Dean Smith.

We hired Hank.

What did we know in 1977 that we overlooked in 1964?

Enough said!

[Golden Avalanche]

Only TC would worry about UWM.

Considering our last couple of years it'd be nice to see some of Crean's neck stepping enthusiasm creep in again.

[MUfan12]

Leaving the Amigos in, up 20+ against UWM in '07 was the ultimate Crean move.  This was the first game against them in a long time and I'm pretty sure he was sticking into to their AD with all of his comments in the media in prior years.  Certainly pissed off the 4 UWM fans sitting around me.

Knowing how Haidet and Pearl acted through that whole fiasco, I loved that move. TC wanted to drop 100 on them, and made sure they did it.

[79Warrior]

We have discussed this before and Keefe, I absolutely agree with you.

We had the Number 1 program in the nation at the time.

We were coming off a national championship.

We could have had anyone in the country as head coach NOT named Dean Smith.

We hired Hank.

What did we know in 1977 that we overlooked in 1964?

Enough said!

The two hires that really impacted Marquette negatively

Hank Raymonds (as HC)
Fr. DiUlio

[The Equalizer]

Only TC would worry about UWM.

Apparently you don't follow this board very much.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I remember that afternoon vividly. I think we all knew that our run was over. Hank was a gracious man. But he was not the right man.

If Hank was not the choice in 1964 I am not certain why he was the right choice in 1977. Loyalty can be a dangerous thing.

What is particularly galling is that Denny Crum and Digger were crawling on their bellies for the Marquette job. But they gave it to Hank...

Hank was no Al and Rick was no Hank.  And when Rick took over, he tried to be Al, but he had no Hank or  Rick.  When Al left, that job was always going to be Rick's eventually but he had to fail to become great elsewhere.