We need to win this one for Al

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The what if game goes both ways.  What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77?  Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!

[Lennys Tap]

The what if game goes both ways.  What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77?  Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!

Very true, Lazar. Al and the Warriors had two final fours and a championship in that magical period. The fates smiled on us in 1977, but we endured a lot of tough luck prior to that - several FFs and multiple championships were real possibilities.

[Marcus92]

I wasn't around in 1977. But I truly appreciate those who were. Remembering the Al McGuire era honors the tremendous contributions of those who have come before — and reminds us what success at the highest level looks like.

[MU 1971]

Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:

We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!"  Whenever he got into it with the refs.  This was done for years and years.

Total Fun.

[Galway Eagle]

Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:

We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!"  Whenever he got into it with the refs.  This was done for years and years.

Total Fun.

I think Izzo might

[willie warrior]

The what if game goes both ways.  What if Rick Mount misses in '69, Al doesn't choose NIT over NCAA in '70, Meminger doesn't foul out in '71, Chones doesn't go pro mid-season in '72, Al doesn't get two T's in '74, Lucas comes back for '75, MU beats Indiana in '76 and/or is placed in different region, Al changes his mind and doesn't retire after '77?  Al could be an even bigger legend than he is!

Al is a huge legend. None bigger than Al, except possibly Wooden, and maybe Knight. Al was more colorful than Wooden, and Knight, what can one say? And please, Coach K, a legend?

[cheebs09]

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.

It will be interesting to see how Bo Ryan is viewed at UW in 20 years. He had a lot of success but didn't get a championship. He didn't have the charisma of Al (except with the masseuses).

[GooooMarquette]

Can us younger folk get some pics????

I'll dig it out and post tonight.

[brewcity77]

It will be interesting to see how Bo Ryan is viewed at UW in 20 years. He had a lot of success but didn't get a championship. He didn't have the charisma of Al (except with the masseuses).

Will be an interesting comparison. My guess is in 40 years (about equal time to Al now) Ryan will be the guy with a building or court named after him, but none of the students know who is.

[dgies9156]

79 Warriors

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

Let's just say we kinda knew winning would be difficult that afternoon. 41 years later and we will leave it at that

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Will be an interesting comparison. My guess is in 40 years (about equal time to Al now) Ryan will be the guy with a building or court named after him, but none of the students know who is.

The buck toothed, bud light drinkin, masseuse bangin, grinch lookin' mofo that had success at UW Platteville?

[TallTitan34]

I'll dig it out and post tonight.

Thanks!

[Class71]

Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:

We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!"  Whenever he got into it with the refs.  This was done for years and years.

Total Fun.

It was a different era. Al did whatever it took to win and we loved him for it.  The fans filled the seats and cheered like hell. Unfortunately we keep hoping for MU to return to those days but apparently we are missing the mark.

[BrewCity83]

Speaking of Al as a phenomenon, can you name any other Div 1 coach, now or then, who had his own special cheer, which came from the MU faithful:

We would all cheer "GIVE 'EM HELL AL!"  Whenever he got into it with the refs.  This was done for years and years.

Total Fun.

Not only when Al got into it with the refs.  At the end of every pre-game National Anthem, after the singer would sing "O'er the land of the free" someone would bellow out "GIVE 'EM HELL AL" and the rolls of toilet paper would fill the Arena air.  The anthem's last line, "and the home of the brave", was rarely audible over the cheers.

[GooooMarquette]

Here are a couple of pics....

[GooooMarquette]

And a couple more....