March Madness Memories
I have my share of March Madness Memories, both good and bad.
Among the bad–last year, when I finished dead last in my own pool and looked on in agony as the fabulous Blue Devil duo of Redick and Williams ended their otherwise stellar careers on a down note to LSU.
But anytime your favorite team plays deep into the tourney or wins it all, it’s a good year; and needless to say, as someone who bleeds Blue Devil Blue, my good years far outweigh the bad. Of course, barring divine intervention, Duke will not go far this year (I have them making the Sweet 16 after eliminating perennial tournament underachiever Pitt, then falling to UCLA), and considering my poor track record in prognostication, I turn my attention this morning to some good March Madness memories from the past.
1992: I was in my tiny Nashville flat when Laettner took The Shot. I had a tough job that night, helping to entertain a couple of friends who had little interest in basketball while trying to watch the gripping ending to the regional final between Kentucky and Duke.
We had finished dinner and were working on desert, and I had at least managed to convince everyone to move from the kitchen to the living room where the TV was located. Trying to keep one eye on my guests and carry on polite conversation while keeping the other eye on the TV was a tough balancing act, but I did the best I could. But as Duke looked finished in the closing seconds, I stood and began to pace, as is my custom.
I don’t really remember the first few seconds after Laettner’s winning shot–euphoric haze I guess. I do vaguely remember Eyegal and my two guests fetching the step ladder and peeling me from the ceiling. I remember one of my guests laughing and saying, “Mike, I had no idea…” I didn’t know if he was referring to my being a Duke fan or my capability of losing all semblance of rationality and letting loose with a loud, “barbaric yawp.”
1987: Twenty years ago, along with some other first-year optometry students at UAB, I managed to scrape together enough cash to attend the first and second rounds of the Southeast Regional in Birmingham, Alabama. Both UAB and Alabama were there, along with North Carolina A&T, New Orleans, Illinois, Providence College, BYU and Austin Peay.
In the first game, UAB was annihilated by a Providence College team led by a “gym rat” of a point guard named Billy Donovan and a young, unknown coach named Rick Pitino. But that did little to dampen our enthusiasm as we quickly adopted Austin Peay as our team in the next contest. The 14th-seeded Governors pulled off a stunning upset of #3 seed Illinois in a 68-67 thriller. I remember joining in the chant “Austin Pee!” (who is this Austin who must be continually told to go to the bathroom?) and watching in amusement as their 300 lb, 6’10” center would dribble down the floor, pull up just beyond the arc, and pop a three. Austin Peay nearly did it again in the second round, barely falling to sixth seeded Providence (who would make the Final Four that year) 90-87 in OT.
On the other side of the bracket, the Crimson Tide, led by the backcourt tandem of Jim Farmer and Mark Gottfried and future NBA star Derrick McKey, quietly took care of business against North Carolina A&T and New Orleans. They lost in the Sweet 16 to Providence 103-82. The 1987 tournament ended in a thriller, with Indiana’s Keith Smart’s last-second winning shot against Syracuse, giving the Hoosiers a 74-73 victory.
High Definition TVs are nice, but nothing beats being on the premises when The Dance gets rolling. For that reason, the 1987 tournament will probably always be my best March Madness Memory of all.
(Incidentally, if you’re interested in intelligent commentary on this year’s tournament, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you stay tuned to this one, you won’t be disappointed)
24 Comments
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greg
Thanks, but I don’t know about that. Maybe more like a place to go to find out who NOT to pick…
By the way, I have a post ready to go, saving it for two more weeks, on the 15th anniversary of “the shot”.
Ed
Austin Peay was in our football conference and we yelled the same thing 🙂
What no pool this year? No chance to redeem that loss? I still haven’t talked to #2 about capturing that video of you watching a Duke game yet – now may be a good time.
Double vision
Of course I’m partial to Memphis State’s run to the final four in 1985. Still remember Andre Turners free throws and fantastic passes to get us there.
I’m pulling for the University of Memphis again as usually.
What is up with Louisville getting to play in Lexington? Talk about home court advantage.
Stoogelover
Though I officiated high school basketball for 20 years in both Alabama and Florida, I just don’t get too interested in any sport, but I’ll stay tuned. For me, it’s a much faster way of keeping up than actually having to watch all the games.
Is their forgiveness for a sport-sinner such as I?
Mike the Eyeguy
Greg–can’t wait to read that.
Ed–I’ll fill out a bracket, but I think I’ll go embarrass myself on someone else’s blog this year.
DV–I remember that team that spoiled the Big East Final Four party in ’85. It’ll be interesting to see if Memphis can earn the respect they think they deserve after playing in “Conference D.O.A.” While the Cardinals aren’t exactly welcome in Lexington, the short drive and heavy home following should be to their advantage.
Sl–after 20 yrs of being screamed at by players, coaches and fans, you can be forgiven. I would take a long break too.
JRB
Duke and Vandy share a 6 seed, which makes me very happy. We also are in UNC’s region, which makes me even more happy.
Go ‘Dores.
Mike the Eyeguy
That’s okay, I bet Duke still has higher SAT scores than Vandy.
ANYBODY, who manages to knock off those @%$#&^*!! T-r H—s will be a friend of mine for life!
JRB
I’m going to need some empirical evidence to buy your SAT claim.
Mike the Eyeguy
That’s way too easy:
Duke CR (25th-75th percentile) 690-770
Math (“”) 690-780
Vandy CR (“”) 630-720
Math (“”) 650-740
(Reference: College Board Website)
If Vandy will just get their mind off of sports and start focusing on what’s more important, maybe they’ll catch up to Duke someday. 🙂
JRB
Good enough.
Ed
Jason has a bracket.
Mike the Eyeguy
Yeah, I know, I’ll be there.
Double vision
Mike-Have a seat on the couch-Let’s examine these feelings toward Vandy.
Is it really SAT scores and shooting the rock?
Or could it be Dr. anti-iritis ANTI-OPTOMETRY Dennis Odea.
Mike the Eyeguy
Is that old coot still there?
DV, you missed your calling–you should have been a psychoanalyst!
cg
Always remember…Beware the Phog! Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!!!
KS
Personal favorite was last year in an airport coming back from Paris watching the George Mason upset of UCONN with 75 new “friends” going nuts.
Mike the Eyeguy
cg–I’m dyin’ to know who you are…even the Jayhawks are coming out of the woodwork!
KS–GM caused quite a ruckus last year. I wonder who it will be this year…?
cg
Hey, hey… Greetings Eyeguy, I’ve been enjoying your blog for sometime now. Dying to know who I am… Well, I’m just a transplanted Christian Kansan living in the Detroit area. The wife and I will have two daughters attending Harding in the Fall. I don’t post much anywhere, but couldn’t resist posting the Phog Allen/Rockchalk comment, seeing you’re a Duke fan. Don’t worry bro, I won’t hold that against you 😉
Mike the Eyeguy
cg, glad to have you on board. So, how deep do you think your Jayhawks will go this year?
cg
How far will they go? Hmm… hard to say (as it is every year). They’re a young team-as Florida was a year ago-with a bench that can match anyone in the country. From what I’ve read, about half the “experts” have them in the final four. They did beat Texas twice in two weeks coming from 16 and 22 points down respectively, so… who knows. The Tourney has a funny way of erasing everyone’s stats and accolades from the regular season and making them start fresh. But as every diehard ‘Hawk fan knows, KU is way overdue in taking it all at the Big Dance.
GREG
GM caused quite a ruckus last year. I wonder who it will be this year…?
As long as it’s not VCU…
Mike the Eyeguy
cg–KU’s last one was in ’88 with Danny Manning as I recall. You guys are a little overdue, but look on the bright side–it’s still not as bad as the Cubs!
Greg–Amen!
GREG
my picks bracket is now 3/4 posted… I actually have UCLA over Kansas in the West.
Mike the Eyeguy
Great basketball minds think nearly alike.