Bob Lackey and early 70s Marquette

[GooooMarquette]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19720314&id=IQ0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jcgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=941,2621222

The most amazing thing about that article is that Villanova got only $76,000 for finishing runner up in the 1971 tournament.

I suspect the increase in money from the tournament since then slightly outpaces the inflation rate...

[Lennys Tap]

If Lucas was as tough as Lackey in college, we would have won it all in 1974.

LOL. Luke took us to the championship game. Lackey couldn't get us past the S16.

[GooooMarquette]

If Lucas was as tough as Lackey in college, we would have won it all in 1974.

Losing the 74 championship game was not about lack of toughness by Luke. It was about McGuire getting two technicals.

[nyg]

Luke went for 21 and 13 and played great.  Not tough enough is just a ludicrous statement. 

The two technicals hurt, but 5ft 5 Monte Towe killed them also. 

RIP Luke....

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Losing the 74 championship game was not about lack of toughness by Luke. It was about McGuire getting two technicals.

If Marquette doesn't win in 77, do those two technicals change the perception of Al at all?

I'd assume not since Marquette was the best team of that decade not named UCLA, but not winning a NC during that era would have been tough to swallow I imagine.

[Newsdreams]

Losing the 74 championship game was not about lack of toughness by Luke. It was about McGuire getting two technicals.

Yep, those where the main reason Marquette lost.

[Lennys Tap]

Yep, those where the main reason Marquette lost.

Those and the fact that NC State (who had beaten UCLA and Bill Walton in the semis) was an awesome team playing what was virtually a home game. Even without Al's Ts we more than likely would have lost.

[DoggyDaddy]

I agree, Lenny. Let's not forget the contributions of 7"4" Tom Burleson or the dynamic David Thompson of NCS, who was the DWade of his time. And yes, it was a home game for them with homer calls.
Back to 71-72 season, with Chones not leaving before the end of the season, that was the best team in the country and, in my view, the best ever MU team until...it is not too far away Warrior/Eagle Nation. In Wojo we trust.   
 

[Goose]

MU did not lose to NC State due to Al's T's. They were a better team and playing at home, for most part. We probably lose to them 7-8 out of ten under those conditions. While I was pissed at Al when it happened, it little outcome of the game IMO.

[Lennys Tap]

MU did not lose to NC State due to Al's T's. They were a better team and playing at home, for most part. We probably lose to them 7-8 out of ten under those conditions. While I was pissed at Al when it happened, it little outcome of the game IMO.

Goose - agree that NC State (Thompson, Burleson, Towe, Stoddard, etc.,) was better and beats us (at home) 7-8 times out of 10. Thought we played them tough that night, though, and had better than a puncher's chance. Still unlikely we win, but the Ts made it impossible.

[Goose]

Lenny

 I loved Al's temper, but was livid at him that night. You might be right on having a fighter's chance. No doubt the T's were not a help.

[dgies9156]

Losing the 74 championship game was not about lack of toughness by Luke. It was about McGuire getting two technicals.

I agree with the former. I merely pointed out that Lackey was tougher. If Luke was as tough as Lackey, everyone from NC State would be deceased.

Al said he lost the game, but I don't think so. As much as I was heartbroken by the loss, David Thompson was something special. Someone in a past post described him as the Michael Jordan of his era. Too bad drugs did him in.

[79Warrior]

Lenny

 I loved Al's temper, but was livid at him that night. You might be right on having a fighter's chance. No doubt the T's were not a help.

That same temper hurt us in the IU game in 76

[Goose]

The ?76 team was very, very good but IU was better.

[Herman Cain]

I agree with the former. I merely pointed out that Lackey was tougher. If Luke was as tough as Lackey, everyone from NC State would be deceased.

Al said he lost the game, but I don't think so. As much as I was heartbroken by the loss, David Thompson was something special. Someone in a past post described him as the Michael Jordan of his era. Too bad drugs did him in.

David Thompson ( along with Dr. J)in many respects was the creator of the modern high flying style of basketball. We played hard in that game, but they had a better overall team. NC State beat UCLA and Bill Walton which showed how tough they were.

[Lennys Tap]

The ?76 team was very, very good but IU was better. Al did not close the gap by any means,

That '76 IU team was one of the greatest of all time - maybe the greatest. Our team was also great, right up there with our 70-71 and 71-72 (pre Chones departure) teams. If the tourney was seeded we play the Hoosiers in the championship game - and it's much more entertaining than Indiana's rout of Michigan.

[Jockey]

I agree with the former. I merely pointed out that Lackey was tougher. If Luke was as tough as Lackey, everyone from NC State would be deceased.

Al said he lost the game, but I don't think so. As much as I was heartbroken by the loss, David Thompson was something special. Someone in a past post described him as the Michael Jordan of his era. Too bad drugs did him in.

That would have be me. He was MJ's idol. Even these many years later, he is still the greatest jumper I have ever seen. Dr. Dunkenstein and MJ were close.

It wasn't only the vertical, it was the explosiveness as well.

[MUDPT]

Todd Townsend going to New Trier may be one of the most surprising things I've heard in a while.

He lived with Lottich and his dad after they found out Todd was on his own.