We need to win this one for Al

[Dawson Rental]

Those of you around in 1977 know what I'm talking about.

[MU 1971]

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).

[real chili 83]

I never saw MU lose at home during my entire years as a student (1967-71).

That's incredible.

[Goose]

I believe it was 82 in a row at home. Al's last game was one that I will never forget.

[sailwi]

Cheese Johnson was the WSU star IIRC.

[4everwarriors]

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?

[Dawson Rental]

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.

[Dawson Rental]

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

[DUNKS45]

I was there, I remember they were on the bubble with the way they finished the season.

[Goose]

4ever

I lost faith during that run. Lost a lot of home games that year. But, turned out pretty good!!

[Dawson Rental]

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.

[brewcity77]

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.

[Goose]

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.

[GooooMarquette]

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....

[4everwarriors]

Yeah butt, how many y'all have a piece of championship Monday's net, hey?

[DUNKS45]

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.

[GooooMarquette]

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....

[Goose]

Doc

You earned the piece of the net. Very jealous!!

[brewcity77]

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.

[79Warrior]

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.

[TallTitan34]

Still have mine!  Awesome piece of MU memorabilia....

Can us younger folk get some pics????

[Dawson Rental]

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?

[Goose]

79 Warriors

Correct on the booing and  Al's early exit. The home team was screwed that night.

[Goose]

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.

[brewcity77]

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