Bob Lackey and early 70s Marquette

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Just a quick question for McGuire era posters.

Theres an event of Evanston's 50th anniversary of their state championship team with a panel of former players there, but obviously without Lackey.

As someone who was not around for that era of basketball, just wondering what kind of player Lackey was or if you have any stiories on him. Thanks!

[DoggyDaddy]

Al called him the Black Swan, others that big strong dude. He was 6'6" of chisled muscle who could rebound with one hand, hit jumpers with almost a line drive arch and clean up around the rim. His expression was fierce determination. He gave ground to no one. We loved him but opponents did not. At the famous South Carolina game in Columbia on National TV, somebody from SC made the mistake giving him a cheap shot and they had to suspend play for awhile. Even Jim Chones got into it.   

[Herman Cain]

The Black Swan scared the opponents so much we won before the game even started .

[Goose]

Tough, tough, tough.

[4everwarriors]

Bad ass mean motherfooker with a scowl that would make ya pee down your leg. #45 had it all gonna on, hey?

[Marqevans]

Was often seen with the hottest looking blonde on campus!

[Gato78]

His quote after the great fight at South Carolina tells you all you need to know (starting with the premise that he looked like a total bad ass): "i knew I was getting kicked out so i figured I would get my money's worth."

[rocket surgeon]

His quote after the great fight at South Carolina tells you all you need to know (starting with the premise that he looked like a total bad ass): "i knew I was getting kicked out so i figured I would get my money's worth."

here's the SI version-great read!

https://www.si.com/vault/1972/01/17/576301/you-know-me-al-right-frank-and-i-hate-to-do-it

[DoggyDaddy]

That 71-72 season was remarkable for many reasons; it may have been the most colorful, entertaining, and talented team in MU history. It was #1 in the country and destined for a national championship run until the ABA stole Jimmy Chones right before the tournament. Even then, they were great. Maurice Lucas was a freshmen I believe, but in those days, he could not play. But wow--we imagined the following year with the two of them, Larry McNeil and the Swan. This team is deserving of its own discussion topic my fellow old-timers.     

[Goose]

Doggy

Agree 100% on the discussion of that team and potential team.

[MU82]

here's the SI version-great read!

https://www.si.com/vault/1972/01/17/576301/you-know-me-al-right-frank-and-i-hate-to-do-it

Great article, rocket. Thanks for the link.

I like how Al pokes fun of Frank for dressing nice - "Look at the clothes, those handmade shirts." Of course, most coaches dress that way now.

Does anybody know if there was extra punishment handed out to any of the combatants. If that brawl happened today, the suspensions would be fierce and plentiful!

[4everwarriors]

Nada, nothin?, bupkis. ?cept if ya count dey hada stop beatin? da chit outta each udder wen da band started playin? ?The Star Spangled Banner,? hey?

[Herman Cain]

That 71-72 season was remarkable for many reasons; it may have been the most colorful, entertaining, and talented team in MU history. It was #1 in the country and destined for a national championship run until the ABA stole Jimmy Chones right before the tournament. Even then, they were great. Maurice Lucas was a freshmen I believe, but in those days, he could not play. But wow--we imagined the following year with the two of them, Larry McNeil and the Swan. This team is deserving of its own discussion topic my fellow old-timers.   

I think the core of that team went 49-1 over two years prior to Chones leaving . That was the team that really caught the imagination of the public at large.

[dgies9156]

Does anybody know if there was extra punishment handed out to any of the combatants. If that brawl happened today, the suspensions would be fierce and plentiful!

I remember that game like it was yesterday. A nationally televised Sunday afternoon affair.

There was no punishment. Neither team was in a conference.

As to today, the racial overtones that led to the battle would not happen today. Keep in mind the game was in Columbia, SC and the game we played -- street ball -- was not what was played in the south. Today, the refs would never let the game get to the point where we had the animosity that led to such a huge brawl.

[rocket surgeon]

Great article, rocket. Thanks for the link.

I like how Al pokes fun of Frank for dressing nice - "Look at the clothes, those handmade shirts." Of course, most coaches dress that way now.

Does anybody know if there was extra punishment handed out to any of the combatants. If that brawl happened today, the suspensions would be fierce and plentiful!

my pleasure!  looking back, what a privilege to have grown up with the legend of al.  there are so many stories, people today would think you're bullchitting them and/or over-hyping the stories.  i just breathe a sigh and say-ya had to be there man.  never realized at the time what an experience we were experiencing

[HouWarrior]

I dont remember how this was resolved.

In 1972, we were 7th ranked but threatened with a NCAA tourney ineligibility due to a claim Lackey had signed with a pro agent. (See press photo)

Did we resolve this issue?

[GGGG]

I dont remember how this was resolved.

In 1972, we were 7th ranked but threatened with a NCAA tourney ineligibility due to a claim Lackey had signed with a pro agent. (See press photo)

Did we resolve this issue?

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

[HouWarrior]

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

Thanks

[Goose]

The SC/MU is cemented in my memory for life. As 4ever stated, the band playing the National Anthem to calm the joint down was a unique happening. It was a remarkable moment in MU ball history.

[willie warrior]

Was often seen with the hottest looking blonde on campus!

And rightly so, for he was known as a lumberjack.

[UticaBusBarn]

Bad ass mean motherfooker with a scowl that would make ya pee down your leg. #45 had it all gonna on, hey?

To put this into proper perspective, Theo John looks like Pope John XXIII compared to Lackey.

[oldwarrior81]

I remember that game like it was yesterday. A nationally televised Sunday afternoon affair.

There was no punishment. Neither team was in a conference.

As to today, the racial overtones that led to the battle would not happen today. Keep in mind the game was in Columbia, SC and the game we played -- street ball -- was not what was played in the south. Today, the refs would never let the game get to the point where we had the animosity that led to such a huge brawl.

But the core of that South Carolina team was New Yorkers.

[DCHoopster]

But the core of that South Carolina team was New Yorkers.

And South Carolina stars were Riker and Joyce, was Brian Winters on that team, not sure?  Mainly white against black kids.  Sort of like Kentucky-MU in 68 against
Rupp, best game I have ever been at, the crowd insane, at the Field House in Madison.  There was great disparity between MU and Wisky at the time,  The crowd
was totally for MU.  Not sure the fans enjoyed the confederate flags flying in the field house.

[Goose]

DC

The MU-UK game was one for the ages. One of my first real memories of MU ball.

[GGGG]

And South Carolina stars were Riker and Joyce, was Brian Winters on that team, not sure?  Mainly white against black kids.  Sort of like Kentucky-MU in 68 against
Rupp, best game I have ever been at, the crowd insane, at the Field House in Madison.  There was great disparity between MU and Wisky at the time,  The crowd
was totally for MU.  Not sure the fans enjoyed the confederate flags flying in the field house.

Alex English was on that South Carolina team too right?