Greatest #mubb moment personally experienced

[jsglow]

I wanted to start a new season with great memories personally experienced.  Here's the rules.  No watching on TV crap.  Sure I watched the NCAA Championship game on TV but I wasn't there in person.  I want wonderful, heart warming stories.  Little stories nobody's heard rather than some highlight show.  That's boring and easy.  Dig deep and make it personal guys.  I'll start.

3)  The hated Russians.  Midnight tip-off with my dad.  Many students at the other end of MECCA in costume and well lubricated.  I KNEW in that moment where I wanted to go to college.  Epic.  I miss dad so very much.

2) Nova last year. Chick and I were headed to the court through the Courtside Club and the atmosphere was electric.  Wojo had just finished with TV and was in the Club in a seeming Jim Valvano moment looking for someone to hug.  Nobody even noticed him in the excitement.  I did and went up to him in what was really solitude for the two of us amidst the chaos.  We had a wonderful 20 second conversation.  Just the two of us.  He was so very happy for both the players and the alumni.  We had waited a long time for this in his mind.  I sometimes wonder if he remembers that moment too.  Not that it was me.  Just that it was kind of special.

1) Davidson.  I had been diagnosed with cancer 24 hours before.  I literally drove to Lexington in the hours following 'that' call.  Told exactly one person down there.  Nobody else knew.  I'm normally a 'glass half empty' kind of guy and the game generally went badly.  I remember thinking that I would be driving home disappointed the next morning into an uncertain future.  Then the 3s started falling in the final 90 seconds.  And when we inbounded the ball to Vander with 6 seconds I KNEW we were winning.  God would simply not ask that much of me in 2 days.  Soon to be 5 years out and still cancer free.

Top those boys.    

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Being in the house for the "send it in medium size fella" dunk. I think the only thing that tops that is being in the omni.

Close second for me,  Jae Crowder giving me his paradise jam champions hat right after they won. Still don't know why he did.  He came over pointed at me and gave the hat. Still have it on my shelf in my office. People ask me why i have an ugly orange hat featured prominently in my office, especially in College Station.

[denverMU]

January 10, 1981, my sophomore year at MU, #5 ND comes to Milwaukee.  Doc Rivers sinks a half court shot with 1 second and the students storm the court.  Michael Wilson climbed up on one of the backboards and stood on the rim.  I was right below him, for some reason someone had cut down the net, and the scissors were just sitting on the rim.  I jumped up and grabbed them and still have them.  Mu beats #5 ND best game I've seen in person.

[TheyWereCones]

The 2003 MU/UK game.  My friend was too tired to drive, so I drove his car and 4 friends from Milwaukee in that absolutely terrible snowstorm.  Somewhere in St. Paul we hit a patch of black ice and go off the road into a ditch, where there is already another car there.  Luckily, I kept us towards the top of the ditch in such a way that I thought maybe we could gun it and steer back up towards the road and make it despite all the snow.

I tell my friend to get out and ask the other car if they need us to call anyone, and then it crosses my mind...if we're in this ditch, and they're in this ditch, how long before the next car is in this ditch?  No sooner than I thought it, I look back and see another car fish-tailing right towards us.  My friend didn't see it coming, and he's literally about to get mashed by this other car and pinned between the two.  At the last second, the other car spins 90 degrees and misses him/us by a few feet.  I yell, "Get in the f-ing car, we are outta here!"  He looks pale like a ghost and hurriedly scampers in.  I slam on the gas, crank the wheel, and we cruise out of the ditch completely out of control, running over a bush and a mile marker on the way.  But we make it back onto the freeway.

We finally pull off at our exit in Minneapolis, and a car starts honking at us.  I roll down the window and he says we have a flat tire.  We pull into Blockbuster, and sure enough, we do.  So now we're changing a flat tire in the blizzard.  Eventually we get the spare on, and we make it the last mile or two to my friends' place at the U of M.

The next day, the guy who said he has my tickets backs out...says he doesn't have them anymore.  Let's just say that I really laid into him about how we almost died getting to this game, and he better come through.  After several more angry phone calls, we work it all out and have our tickets.

Turns out Wade put up a triple-double, and we absolutely knocked the pants off #1 rated UK in my own hometown.  It will be hard to top being at that game in my lifetime in terms of sporting events.  When we finally had a chance to take the car to the shop, we find out that the tire was actually fine and had just accumulated some debris from when it went off road.  It cost $9 and change to clean it out and put it back on.  I dropped him a Hamilton and we were on our way back to Milwaukee.  Sometimes all the effort is totally worth it.

We ended up at the Final 4 in New Orleans a week later, and the silver lining to that experience was that because of the way it all played out, my best friend who was with me for both of these trips, well his entry name Gettin' Brain ended up finishing 3rd out of a million people in the online ESPN bracket pool (he had 7/8 Elite 8 teams correct, and everything after that perfect).  He returned home to a check for $1,500, which for us was like winning the lottery.  This covered all our drinks at Murph's for the rest of senior year.  What a time.

[CTWarrior]

January 10, 1981, my sophomore year at MU, #5 ND comes to Milwaukee.  Doc Rivers sinks a half court shot with 1 second and the students storm the court.  Michael Wilson climbed up on one of the backboards and stood on the rim.  I was right below him, for some reason someone had cut down the net, and the scissors were just sitting on the rim.  I jumped up and grabbed them and still have them.  Mu beats #5 ND best game I've seen in person.

This would be my moment as well.  Came back from CT early specifically to go to the game.

[brewcity77]

3) This wasn't really "greatest" caliber, but one of my most memorable was going to see DePaul at Marquette on February 16, 2000. It was memorable for a few reasons. First, it was the first live MU game I attended. I had followed the program because I lived in the area, but but didn't become a diehard fan until I began attending a year later. Second, Richardson was a beast, notching a double-double (15/15 if I remember right). Third, and most bizarre, was that Brian Wardle scored every Marquette point in the first half. Every single point. Now granted, it was an ugly, 55-35 affair, but I've never seen any single player before or since score all the points for a team in a half.

2) Marquette/Kentucky in 2003. The day before the Pittsburgh Sweet 16 game, a friend promised me his dad's tickets if Marquette made the Elite 8. After watching the game at the Ale House on Water (on a first date, not sure we ever went out again) and celebrating like mad, I drove up to Minneapolis for the game. Stopped on the way to have breakfast with my grandpa. Then the Dwyane Wade triple-double, the fall of #1, and certainly the most epic moment in my three years at Marquette.

1) Villanova earlier this year. I'd say more, but most everything I needed to say about that I already said here. Magical night.

[4everwarriors]

January 10, 1981, my sophomore year at MU, #5 ND comes to Milwaukee.  Doc Rivers sinks a half court shot with 1 second and the students storm the court.  Michael Wilson climbed up on one of the backboards and stood on the rim.  I was right below him, for some reason someone had cut down the net, and the scissors were just sitting on the rim.  I jumped up and grabbed them and still have them.  Mu beats #5 ND best game I've seen in person.

How did I know dis wuz yo answer, even befour readin' it, hey?

[4everwarriors]

Few of us on this board have witnessed the imaginable euphoria of being in the house when your alma mater captures a national championship. I've been very fortunate to be present at MSG vs LSU and St. John's for the 1970 NIT Championship and also present at the Omni in 1977 for the Final Four vs UNC-Charlotte and UNC.
Pure college basketball orgasmic pleasure, ai na?

[Eye]

2-way tie - at UL, '96 and '98. 1st two MU road games attended. '96 Hutch for 3 to win it 80-79 in 2 OT. '98 Wardle for 3 to cap a comeback from down 13 with 5 to go for the 71-70 win, followed by all the Deane histrionics. Pretty sure the # of MU fans in my half of the gym for both games totaled in single digits.

[Jay Bee]

Watching MU play blocks from my place in Mpls in 03 was great... Mecca NIT game v S Fla was special

[Galway Eagle]

MU vs Cuse in 2009. We lost in OT but that game was when I officially decided to go to MU, I was on the fence between MU, Depaul, Xavier and a few D3 schools that wanted me for lacrosse but that environment was so exciting I fell in love with the school.

[BobWildLoyalist]

Dwight Burke put back jam against GTown, I think it was 2008. I believe MU ended up losing in OT but the BC was on fire when Dwight slammed it late in the second half.

[2TimeWarrior]

Novak going off for 41 against #2 UCONN.  2006?

[Goose]

I have quite a few, but not up to 4ever's. Many of mine are being at practice at Old Gym or in the locker room when Al was here. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite off court experience, but Al teaching my oldest son how to play Gin on a flight from Tampa to MKE. He sat in First Class with my son and played Gin for a couple of hours with him.

On court, not easy but will throw out some great ones for me.

Luke beating WI on buzzer beater.
Al's last home game. We lost, but off the charts action that night.
The Russian game at midnight.
Bad memory--Dwight Clay snapping 81 game winning streak.
Beating Kentucky. Had my son with me in '94 and  trip home on team plane was great experience.
Any ND or Louisville game in the '70's.
Road trips to Duke, MI, Indiana, Kansas, Cincy
Beating Duke behind DWade &Co

[Goose]

denver MU

One of the great home wins!!

[GooooMarquette]

1.  I was one of the lucky few here in the Omni on 3/28/77.
2.  I was also there for the semifinals on 3/26/77.
3.  The win over UK at the Metrodome in '03.
4.  The win over Miami to get to the Elite Eight in '13.
5.  The beatdown of UConn in our first Big East game.
6.  Novak's corner shot to beat ND (loudest I've ever heard BC).
7.  Various big wins over UW@Madison, UL and UC over the years (hard to distinguish).
8.  The bat game.

[Nukem2]

Easily that weekend in Atlanta at the Omni in 1977.   

[cheebs09]

The weekend at the Metrodome is my all-time top sports moment.

Number 2 for MU would probably be the BET's I attended. While not the best MU performances, being at the Garden watching MU and the Big East was pretty special.

[Litehouse]

Watching MU play blocks from my place in Mpls in 03 was great... Mecca NIT game v S Fla was special

That USF NIT game was fun.  After the game, I picked up the yellow, padded, MECCA folding chair that was my seat for the game, and took it home with me as a souvenir.  Now I need to get a blue one from the Bradley Center this year to go with it.

[MU82]

1. Absolutely, the ND game with Rivers' half-court shot. It was bedlam at the Arena. Plus, it was effen ND. I LOVED beating ND, and I wish we still had the chance to do so!!!

2. MU vs Duke in 1980. Game at Dane County Coliseum because NBC wanted it for that day and the Arena was booked. Unlike now, being on national TV was special because it was the only game on. Duke had All-Americans Mike Gminski and Gene Banks, among others. We built a big lead behind Oliver Lee and then held off a furious Dookie rally. Because the game was in Madison, lots of alums didn't bother making the trip but lots of students did. It was a loud, raucous crowd and we stormed the court when it was over. IIRC, it also was the first MU game Al broadcast (not sure about that, though).

3. The OT shootout between MU and Mizzou in the 2003 NCAAs at Indy. Novak became an overnight sensation, Diener was amazing, game was thrilling. As great as Wade was, people don't remember that Diener made the FF run possible by carrying us in the first two NCAA tourney games.

Honorable mention (no particular order): beating top-10 ND at Joyce in a must-win game in 1980 - so sweet cuz obviously our handful of Warriors were surrounded by ND fans ... Miami in 2013 NCAAs ... crushing top-5 Louisville in 1979 ... winning the Brooklyn tournament behind Henry a couple of years ago - two very exciting games! ... crushing top-20 Bucky on NYE in 94.

Jealous of those at the Omni!

[muwarrior69]

Few of us on this board have witnessed the imaginable euphoria of being in the house when your alma mater captures a national championship. I've been very fortunate to be present at MSG vs LSU and St. John's for the 1970 NIT Championship and also present at the Omni in 1977 for the Final Four vs UNC-Charlotte and UNC.
Pure college basketball orgasmic pleasure, ai na?

I was at all 4 NIT games in 1970. We were the class of the tournament that year and AL was really annoyed that the press was giving Pistol Pete all the headlines. You could see the satisfaction on his face at the presser after the game by totally shutting down the most prolific score in college basketball at the time and the team scoring over 100 points in that game. I think we beat them by more than 40 points. He left no doubt in the press' mind who was the best team and let them know it.

The other memorable game was also at the garden the following year when we ranked #2 played ranked #4 Fordham that year The place was electric and was one of the most exciting games to watch as they took us to double overtime. We just had more horses to secure the victory.

[muwarrior69]

I wanted to start a new season with great memories personally experienced.  Here's the rules.  No watching on TV crap.  Sure I watched the NCAA Championship game on TV but I wasn't there in person.  I want wonderful, heart warming stories.  Little stories nobody's heard rather than some highlight show.  That's boring and easy.  Dig deep and make it personal guys.  I'll start.

3)  The hated Russians.  Midnight tip-off with my dad.  Many students at the other end of MECCA in costume and well lubricated.  I KNEW in that moment where I wanted to go to college.  Epic.  I miss dad so very much.

2) Nova last year. Chick and I were headed to the court through the Courtside Club and the atmosphere was electric.  Wojo had just finished with TV and was in the Club in a seeming Jim Valvano moment looking for someone to hug.  Nobody even noticed him in the excitement.  I did and went up to him in what was really solitude for the two of us amidst the chaos.  We had a wonderful 20 second conversation.  Just the two of us.  He was so very happy for both the players and the alumni.  We had waited a long time for this in his mind.  I sometimes wonder if he remembers that moment too.  Not that it was me.  Just that it was kind of special.

1) Davidson.  I had been diagnosed with cancer 24 hours before.  I literally drove to Lexington in the hours following 'that' call.  Told exactly one person down there.  Nobody else knew.  I'm normally a 'glass half empty' kind of guy and the game generally went badly.  I remember thinking that I would be driving home disappointed the next morning into an uncertain future.  Then the 3s started falling in the final 90 seconds.  And when we inbounded the ball to Vander with 6 seconds I KNEW we were winning.  God would simply not ask that much of me in 2 days.  Soon to be 5 years out and still cancer free.

Top those boys.   

Back in '68 my dad was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at age 50. He underwent surgery and the doctors were pretty certain they had remove all the cancer. There were no chemo treatments back then. My dad passed at the age of 92 cancer free. Pray you have the same outcome, but let's make it a 102.

[Loose Cannon]

Seconded!

[We R Final Four]

So many—but one that comes to mind is Dameon Mason's baseline jumper to tie the UL home game in '04. Fouled on the play, he made the FT for the 1 point win.

[Markusquette]

Dameon Mason sinking some game winning free throws to beat Louisville, what, 15 years ago?  Games are always more magical when we're kids.