Something I Did Not Know
by kaptainterp on Jan 29, 2012 8:11 PM EST
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PrintI was watching the documentary on HBO called "Namath" about "Broadway" Joe Namath and his story of growing up in Beaver Falls, PA all the way through his playing days in the AFL and NFL. There was something I didn't know about Joe Willie Namath, the fact that he wanted to come to MD and play for the Terps. His dream of playing for Coach Nugent and the Terps died when he could not muster the minimum board score to gain admission. Turns out old Joe couldn't muster a 750(his score was an extremely modest 730) on his SAT which could not get him accepted to UM so Coach Nugent turned Bear Bryant and Alabama on to him to keep him away from any other east coast school. The rest, they say, is history. Turns out we have been denying admission to top athletes for years now, only to send them on to the football factories of the south.
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On a related note,
and also going on the thread of things a lot of people don’t know, Bear freaking Bryant coached UMD football for a season. He quit after 1 season following tensions with a certain Harry Clifton Byrd.
I think this makes for one of the best “what if” discussions ever, because on the one hand, we could have had one of the best coaches of all time (the catch being he wasn’t considered a great coach yet), or you could keep the Jim Tatum era, which worked out pretty well in its own right (1 NC, 1 deserved NC, and a lot of good seasons).
Oh, and forgot to talk about this actual fanpost,
I had never heard this Namath story. It’s pretty crazy how many near-misses with amazing things we’ve had over the years, btwn Namath, Moses Malone, Bear Bryant, Sean Miller, ugh now I’m just making myself depressed…
Psh,,,
Guve me a break with Sean Miller.
In hindsight, Turge > Miller.
@kckb8 ... #getatme
by kckb8 on Jan 29, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
You can't pull the "in hindsight" line 8 months after the fact...
That said, I love Turgeon so far, and am confident he will be absolutely wonderful for the program.
Exactly
Miller has a talent laced Arizona team but he’s losing. Turge had next to nothing to work with and he’s been winning. Miller is nothing but a mini coach-Cal that can recruit but can’t coach.
I'm a Turge fanboy for sure but Miller is still the better hire, IMO
So he’s having some trouble at Arizona after he lost half of his team. Big deal. He doesn’t have the talent everything think he has. Is Arizona more talented than Maryland? Yeah. Are they stacked 1-5? Not even close. And they have almost no depth. Give them a year or two.
If you think Turgeon’s recruiting right now is good, you’d be drooling all over yourself at what Miller would’ve done. Turge might be a better Xs and Os coach than Miller but it’s close, and Miller is easily the better recruiter – perhaps the best in the game right now.
And this isn’t to take away from Turgeon – again, I think he has national title potential here. But Miller would’ve accelerated that process.
It's a huge misnomer that Miller is playing with a talented team right now
Up until this year’s freshman class, Arizona was recruiting at about the same level as UMD was the past few years. A lot of borderline 3/4 stars and low 90’s on ESPN. The fact that he got to the elite 8 last year is extremely impressive.
With Turge, we have the opportunity for a NC, maybe even a probability if you’re the optimistic type. But with Miller, we’d be talking about when, not if.
Again, I love me some Turgeon. He’s actually endeared me to himself more than I think Miller would have, but you are fooling yourself if you think you would have rather had Turgeon than Miller in May.
by Womp Womp on Jan 29, 2012 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah but the PAC12 is totally horrible and Arizona is still 14-8 (5-4)
Even with mediocre talent they should be able to do a heck of a lot better than that-if Sean Miller is the bench coach people make him out to be.
He's had to crack down hard on his pampered frosh
I appreciate Nick and our frosh for working hard, and listening to coach.
Sidiki Johnson got suspended and bailed, and Josiah Turner had a rough start. Nick johnson ‘s the most pleasant surprise for them. In the end, no seniors are filling the void left from last year’s players. No one averages over 12/13 a game.
I’ve watched them parts of 4 games this season, and the commitment on D doesn’t seem to be totally there. Ross peeled off screens for some quality jumpers the other night – the D was definitely off a bit at times.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
a little bit of an unfair comparison because
millers first recruiting class was not as good as the one turge has for 2012 so we should give turge and his staff a chance for 2013 to see what he can do and on from there. i also believe that turgeon is a better x and o coach than miller is
They were about equal, Turgeon's might be a little better
But that wasn’t really my point. Miller already has a reputation as a fantastic recruiter and would’ve landed in College Park with a bunch of five-stars. Turgeon’s already been up at this level for about five years, he’ll become a better recruiter but only once we start winning.
And my point in giving the +1
is first that we knew little about Turgeon before he came here and that since he’s been here he’s done nothing to make me feel like he’s not the best fit for this program. Second that while we know Sean Miller’s reputation I know nothing about his personality and can’t make a judgement on how he’d have fit at MD. Third, I don’t think Miller was ever seriously considering coming to MD but was hanging it out to use as leverage at Arizona.
For all the talk about MD being a top 10 job, I’ve never been fully convinced. Here are 7 I think are unquestionably a step up from wherever you might be coaching (unless it’s one of the other 6): Duke, UNC, Ky, UConn, Kansas, Mich. St. & UCLA. Here are 8 more that I think a move to MD would be considered lateral at best: Syracuse, Indiana, Ohio St, Georgetown, Florida, Memphis, Louisville, and yes, Arizona (and it wouldn’t shock me to see some folks want to add other schools like ND or Pitt to this list). So wihout some other connection to the university what would induce a Sean Miller to seriously come to MD? Thus I was never truly disappointed when the Miller scenario failed to materialize because I never believd it and I’m thrilled with MT and all he’s done thus far. So I stand by my +1
Fair enough
I’d drop Michigan State out of the blueblood group, however.
I think the Top-10 job thing is forward-looking, from the perspective of a new coach.
Obviously UNC, Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, and UCLA are elite jobs. The others you mention are all in the discussion for Top 10 (I don’t think Memphis is, however).
Unlike Florida and Ohio State (great jobs, no doubt) we are a basketball-first school.
Our recruiting area is second-to-none. And I’d point out that, for as great as Gary was, he didn’t take full advantage of that. A new coach could see that as a missed opportunity. In situations like Syracuse, Louisville, UConn, and Michigan State, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find too terribly many “missed opportunities” after the Boeheim, Pitino, Calhoun and Izzo regimes.
In other words, I think a new coach could realistically think that he could take Maryland to greater heights, and sustain them. I’m not sure a coach looking at Cuse, Louisville, Mich. State, or UConn could say that.
All your points taken except
Michigan State not a blueblood:
2 NCAA championships
8 final fours
14 conscecutive NCAA (currently 3rd longets)
9 Sweet 16s in the last 13 years
12 Big 10 Champs
25 NCAA Tournament Bids (I believe this is 5th most)
2 Hall of Fam coaches with a 3rd (Izzo) on the way
Seems pretty elite to me
I think he's saying that the coach is way bigger than the school.
I.e. UNC, Kentucky and UCLA are true bluebloods because they’ve been able to win it all multiple times, over many years, and with different HC’s at the helm. If Izzo walks, is Mich. St. really looked at as a blueblood anymore? I think people still look at Indiana as a blueblood, even after Knight. They were in the Natty game with us.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
I would say Duke (as a Job) is not a blueblood with the same argument
Coach K is everything to that school. They were just an okay program before that. It will be interesting to see what happens there after coach K leaves. It could really go either way, IMO.
I agree, Duke falls off quite a bit when K leaves.
It’ll be funny to see who wants to play for Wojo or Collins or whatever d-bag follows the legend. I think they eventually make it back because of their history, and will probably stagger around for a few years like UNC did post-Dean Smith. But, they will probably make it back eventually because of their history, just won’t the guaranteed powerhouse that they are now. I’m thinking they’ll be like UCLA, who has some very deep runs every now and then.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
UCLA is a great comparison I think.
Usually okay, but they can never seem to sustain success for more than a few seasons at a time.
It kills me to say it
but those beaches are going to get Stevens….
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
Coach K
Based mostly on nothing, I think Coach K will call it a career sooner rather than later, or at least sooner than most are expecting.
He’s about to turn 65, has a history of health issues, has accomplished just about everything imaginable in terms of coaching milestones, has been around long enough to watch coaches at other schools in the conference turn over several times, appears to enjoy the US national team job and seems like the type who would just announce his retirement out of the blue rather than make a big production out of it.
Come to think of it, Boeheim, Calhoon and even Roy Williams among others can’t be that much longer in the coming. The torch will soon pass to a new generation.
Yep, I've said it before
Maryland could be in a great position when today’s legends starting calling it a career over the next few years. Turge should have some serious recruiting mojo by then, and we could definitely make a move to fill the ACC power vacuum.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
One thing saying he'll go a few more to reach the magical 1,000 wins
Gary said on 980 interview last week that basically unlike him, K has no hobby vies like golf or tennis as Gary does. Gary thinks he’ll keep going a bit. I say to at least 1,000 wins.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
K sounds like Joe Paterno.
Didn’t want to ever give it up, because he saw that Bear Bryant died shortly after retiring, because he had no other interests in life. Quick, somebody find coach K a f*cking hobby already.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Re: the top 10 job thing
If Turgeon fails here it won’t be seen as a top 10 job again, but it definitely was last time. You make the mistake, like many do, of confusing “job” with “program.”
Duke and UConn? Awesome programs. Questionable jobs. Duke is great for the money and the brand but they basically are K. Same with UConn, which is in the middle of Nowhere, CT, and doesn’t have Duke’s crazy money. The only true bluebloods in CBB are UNC, KY, Kansas, UCLA, and Indiana. Then there are two of the most underrated gigs in Texas and Ohio State – tons of talent, tons of money, good/great facilities, big fanbases, and minimal pressure.
Maryland slots in right behind those seven along with the Georgetowns, Floridas, Louisviiles, and Arizonas of the world. It’s at the very least top 15 and, depending on who you ask (ie, an East Coast guy or a West Coast guy, northeast or southern) a top-10 gig.
By the same logic
I think its instructive, when contemplating who qualifies among the historically elite, to consider whether that status is more generally identified with the program at large (e.g. UCLA, Kansas, Kentucky, and perhaps UNC and Indiana) or whether you’re attaching it more to an individual coach (e.g. Coach K, Boeheim, Izzo, Calhoon).
Maryland benefits, in my opinion, from having had two historically significant coaching regimes.
Very much so
If UConn didn’t have Calhoun, they’re an average at best program – probably much worse than average. Same with Boeheim at Syracuse. (Not so much Izzo at MSU, though.) But what you’re talking about is one of the reasons MD is a much better job than a lot of people think.
Ben, do you think Cuse will be a middling ACC program
post-Boeheim? I’m thinking they’ll be like NCST for a while, huge false sense of themselves. You’re right about Mich St., their legacy goes back to the Heathcoat days and Magic Johnson.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
With the ACC's track record with expansion...
I’m fully expecting them to fall off a cliff.
It's tough to say
They’ve had Mike Hopkins lined up as the CIW for seemingly years now, and I have to say that outside of his standing as a long-time assistant at SU, that’s not the type of hire an elite program would make.
I heard Hopkins may go to Vandy
if his AD makes him interview for the job (and Stallings takes a better job.) lol
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 31, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
Interesting discussion
MSU has a HOF coach in Jud Heathcote and someday to add Izzo. That’d be back to back HOF coaches. I’m impressed with that. Part of my point was to hearken back to Sean Miller discussion. And as you point out Ben MD may be in the tier with Florida, Louisville G’Town, Arizona, etc. that unless you’re a GW coming home to your alma mater or have some other strong connection to the school or the area you are going to think long and hard about making a lateral move whereas A&M to MD is definitely a step up. Like many, the only place I see MT possibly migrating from here is to go home to Kansas and that sure seems like a long shot something else I’m not sure I would have felt with Miller.
Wouldn't go that far
Miller would’ve put this team in contention a lot sooner. But considering the way the search went, and considering the “other” hire Kevin Anderson made, this one did turn out significantly better. There’s a lot to be thankful for in that
by fballplyr92 on Jan 29, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
Willie Wilson
another program-changing near miss, the all-world RB from NJ backed out of his scholarship to join the Royals farm system in 1974.
by lockwood11j on Jan 29, 2012 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
good nugget - didn't know that one
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
The whole SAT thing comes up every now and again. We have to have some standards, I think…….
From the book “Lenny, Lefty, and the Chancellor”
p.47
The performance record of Bias and his teammates should not have shocked College Park authorities, including Slaughter. Three-quarters of the football players and most of the basketball players that the school admitted between 1980 and 1986 did not meet the university’ s usual requirements for admission. The average combined SAT score for basketball players over the previous six years had been 670 – 355 points below the average score of other University of Maryland students. In one year, the two scholarship basketball players had an average SAT score of 560, out of a possible l ,600. One had scored 510, the other 610.
p.295
When basketball coach Gary Williams had sought recruits with marginal SATs, [AD] Geiger said no. “When I did that, [Williams] went ballistic,” Geiger said.
I've said it before...
I don’t give a crap what the athletes grades are, it isn’t ever going to affect my degree or anyone elses. get the marginal players in, its supposed to be a trade, some get the education at a school that would never get into and the trade off is they help us win, put us on the map, and bring in a boatload of students to the university that do make the grades.
by nmcvicker03 on Jan 29, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
'Bama hasn't changed their admissions standards
Along with the rest of the SEC (except Vandy). I was at a Terp football game when Bear came in and ’Bama beat us easily. But he tipped his hat to the fans as he left the field.
"when Bear came in and ’Bama beat us easily" -- BOLOGNA !!
The Bear came back to Byrd fot the first game in 1974, they were NAT CHAMPS in ’73.
I too was there. They in absolute NO WAY easily beat the Terps, the final score was 21-16 favor Alabama and the Terps could have easily won. It was a great game. I always thought Claiborne played it a little too close to the vest.
Always respected the “Bear” but let’s not go overboard!!
Claiborne in my opinion...
was the second best coach in Terp history. Fantastic coach.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
Your memory is a lot better than mine
But Claiborne was a very conservative coach. Makes us appreciate Bobby Ross’ offense.
by Snappin Terp on Jan 30, 2012 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
Conservative, yes...
But every year, we had a good quarterback. One right after the other. The team was defense based, but it’s offense did well enough.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
At least your post is appropriately...
There are volumes that young Terp fans do not know. Just ask us older Terp fans. We KNOW these things, and more. I learned about Joe Namath and his desire to be a Terp in the 1970’s. Have known it for many years. Have told many Terp fans about it.
So, you see, if you had asked me, or one of the older guys…
LOL
It’s amazing the stuff you’d learn, once you admit there is “something that you don’t know…”
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 29, 2012 10:59 PM EST reply actions
I was just tweaking that particular poster...
because he was running his mouth in over-drive a month or so ago, as if he knew everything Terp, that was to be known…
No serious offense intended…
LOL
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 29, 2012 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Please Chuck, enlighten us...
I’m being serious, I want a good Maryland story from the 70’s. Current news has been slow lately.
by Womp Womp on Jan 29, 2012 11:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
1970's?
Okay, 1970, a South Carolina player PUNCHED Lefty Driesell (at South Carolina) in the mouth. Maryland was still upstart at the time, with the McMillen, Elmore class still in it’s Freshman purgatory, the “Freshman Team” so they weren’t on the Varsity team yet.
South Carolina (ranked 2nd in the nation), came to Cole Field House and Maryland won it’s first game of significance in the modern era.
According to UMTerps:
Maryland defeats South Carolina, 31-30, in one of the great “slow-down” games in the history of Cole. Leading only 4-3 at halftime, Maryland needed a lay-up from Jim O’Brien to tie the game with five seconds to go in regulation and an 11-foot jumper from O’Brien to win the game with four seconds remaining in overtime.
And much of the tension of the game was set up because of South Carolina’s ranking, and the punch to Lefty’s face by an irate GameCock.
The fans stormed the floor of Cole Field House, and Maryland cut the nets down…
Here’s a nice little link:
http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-baskbl/history/cole_field_house.html
And another:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084517/index.htm
And another (Howard White and Terp fans after the game):
http://www.fanbase.com/1-Howard-White/photo/592534?n=0
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 29, 2012 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How about
Lefty Driesell Heritage Hall? Or Lefty Driesell Arena at Comcast Center?
The concourse area
Lefty Driesell Way w/ a street sign pointing down the hall of fame – something, anything, they need to brainstorm in the AD’s office and come up with a good one.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
But it can't be...
a token. It has to be something tangible.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe an article...
on Lefty on Testudo Times? Touching bases with some of the legendary things that took place. Pointing out just how zero Maryland basketball was before he arrived? Would love to see something for Lefty. If the freaking administration can’t do it…
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Not a Millikan fan...
He was a “poor man’s Gary Williams.”
Same weaknesses, but without the wins. The Washington DC area still had tons of talent. Dematha had just as much talent (maybe more) than it has now. We had a premier facility. But we did not win. Except for two seasons.
But, if you want to do a series? By all means. Do one on Millikan, and one on Lefty. Who knows, you may even get to interview Lefty for the article.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
Oh I knew you wouldn't be a Millikan fan
Even his Wikipedia page says he was an awful recruiter. But he certainly provided a base and was far from awful.
97-100
From 1959/60 season all the way to the end of his career at Maryland (1966/67)…losing record. His last eight years.
He had two good seasons (1953 and 1957) and an okay 1964/65. And thiis with the fertile recruiting ground and the premier basketball facility on the east coast.
Of course Gary Williams speaks well of him, but the two years Gary played for Millikan… 1965/66 and 1966/67… .500 record. So, it couldn’t be the results Millikan put up that endeared him to Williams.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Haha exactly what I was looking for
I’ve actually heard a ton about this game over the years. It’s the example that always comes up as one of the reasons USC left the ACC. I never knew that Lefty got punched tho. Why didn’t anyone tell me??
by Womp Womp on Jan 30, 2012 12:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Here's some good reading on Lefty...
I love the part about South Carolina…
http://bcallstarsbasketball.net/photos8/lefty_driesell.htm
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
Uh...is he batman or something?
Saving children from a burning building? Would anyone be surprised if that was just some elaborate scheme he hatched to help recruiting?
And saying driesell punched himself in the face has to be one of the greatest sports quotes ever.
by Womp Womp on Jan 30, 2012 12:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Come to think about it...
I think Maryland becoming a power (With Lefty at the helm) may very well have been the reason South Carolina left the conference. Too much competition in the conference. They saw our Freshman team coming, plus Lefty’s recruting. Add to that an already tough UNC and NC State, and I can imagine South Carolina said, we’re out of here!
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
Come to think about it..... Not Really, but.....
While there was no doubt Maryland was going to get better, and you have a good point,South Carolins ‘s withdrawal from the ACC (1971?) was 90% due to the political dominance of the conference’s four North Carolina schools. Without a doubt and mainly over the AAC Tournament always being held in Carolina. That feeling was culminated when McGuire’s ‘71 team was “jobbed” by the ACC referees in the NC ST overtime victory with McQuire’s probably best S. Carolina team ever (John Roche and that team was unbelieveable!).
When they were almost “jobbed” again in the 72 ACC Tournament Fina, a their last second victory over N. Carolina in 1972, it was all over but the shouting that S.Carolina had had it with the ACC. They probably hated the ACC Establishment and the ACC referrees probably more than us Terp fans, if that was possible! I think the decision to get out was just needing one more reason and the ACC Tournaments were it. Actually agree wth them at the time, the ACC and the BS “home-cookin” was an absolute crime!
Tired of the political dominance of the four N. Carolina schools??
Things haven’t changed much, huh?
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Tired of the political dominance of the four N. Carolina schools??
NOPE! Maybe when Syracuse and Pitt come in, but I thought that when Fl ST, Miami, and BC, VA Tech. Oh Well!
Chuck
This is your wheelhouse – go to it often as we ask questions, and you’ll turn into a TT legend – hah! Most of us cannot get enough of these Terp factoids – thx
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Cool story ....
…but damn does a 4-3 game at halftime sound boring. Makes me happy their is a shot clock now.
So did that player at least get suspended? Any ramifications for such action? I think today they’d be kicked off the team the next day if something like that happened.
This was before the era of 24 hour sports networks
1. It’s entirely possible no one even saw the punch with all the commotion going on around them. At that point it’s our word against theirs.
2. There wasn’t the same public spotlight shown on these programs. I would bet very few non-insiders outside of the ACC even heard about this at the time. No public outcry=no public punishment.
Of course I’m only assuming there was no punishment. It’s entirely possible there was. I just haven’t heard it.
No Outcry!
Only the true Terp fans gave a hoot. I still remember Lefty himself down playing it to the Post, ‘Awe Gee, you all know i’m a big guy, wasn’t much of a punch. I can take it. You all justwait till we get those boys back in Cole." Probably, part of his strategy or he had already began plotting the revenge game, because i think on the return game Good Old Lefty was talking about a “WAR”. I don’t know what he said to the players, but It truly was up there with the 1974 Tournament game.
That game made every Terp Fan Proud, and put us on the Map and gave us the first real hope and vision, that the LEFTHANDLER — WAS THE MAN!!!
My father was at the game...
and said it was the most exciting game he had attended to that point in his life.
First half consisted of Howard White and Jim O’Brien passing the ball back and forth. The second half, we came out shooting.
We were nothing. Had never won anything. And we were playing the 2nd ranked team in the nation. And we won.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
And Howard White changed his name to Denzel Washington
The rest is history! LOL
by Snappin Terp on Jan 30, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
1970's?
I believe the player that “punched” lefty was John Rebock, and to tell you something about the “homers” in the ACC at that time, the picture of him hitting Lefty was in the Wash Post and he never even got a suspension". I believe that was the game Howard White scored about 36 points (No 3’s") in those dayes, and he made about 10 that would have been,and they called the game with about 6-7 minutes left. Ernie Grahem latter broke Howard’s record..
This was the first bball game I ever attended
What a shot by O’Brien. Loved his Bozo Hair after that game. I think that was the last year for SC being in the ACC.
Chuck, after Lefty was forced out, why didn’t Morgan Wooten take the Maryland job? He was a legend at DeMatha.
by Snappin Terp on Jan 30, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Morgan Whooten wasn't considered...
seriously from what I understand. There were two area High basketball dynasties. In the DC area, Dematha. In the Baltimore area, Dunbar. Slaughter chose Wade and Dunbar.
At the time, Morgan Whooten had turned down other Head Coaching vacancies, and word was, he would have accepted Maryland. But he was getting to the point agewise, that the transition from High School to college wouldn’t be easy. And no one knew if he could do it. Of course, we will never know.
What Whooten should have done, was in the mid to late sixties, move to a Mid-major program, and work his way up through the college ranks. He chose to stay at Dematha, and that train passed him by. By 1986, it was “almost” too late, and after Maryland didn’t give it to him, it WAS too late.
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
I hope the OP ignores this
No reason to be a Richard about things—I’m 10 years out of school and I didn’t know about Namath either. And remember, your tenet goes both ways: there are some things that younger people are way better at than older people.
Actually,
I think he was genuinely kidding on this one. I’ll let him have a pass if he gives us another good story.
by Womp Womp on Jan 29, 2012 11:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yep, I was...
kidding. Of course, I can imagine some will not take it that way, but what can you do…
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 29, 2012 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
You need some smilies then! ;)
Or at least a lol or something… get with the times, old man ;) (<- case in point)
I put an LOL...
in the original post.
Loved the opening the original poster gave for a great discussion of some very unknown stuff about Terp basketball…
Children should be seen and not heard.
by CharlesDriesell on Jan 30, 2012 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
Kevin Garnett
Has made more then a few references over the years that if he had attended college, UMD would have been at the top of his list.
Kevin Garnett in his HS McDonald's All-American game
was a man amongst boys. It wasn’t even fair. I think it is a safe bet that MD might have won a title before ’02 if KG came to CP.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
And if he completely lost his mind and stayed all 4 years....
He would have played his senior season with Francis. Could you imagine that team? There are no words for how awesome that would have been.
At the time, he was saying Michigan (or Illinois, I forget which)
He didn’t start to say Maryland until after he met Joe Smith and the two became friends in the Association.
he was a Chi-town guy after all
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
that's right
he moved around and was a controversial transfer to Farragut – some suspected wrong doing there.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 31, 2012 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
I believe
Garnett and Joe Smith would have been at UMD at the same time (1994-1995)—talk about a potentially filthy frontline! Can you imagine what a starting line-up of D. Simpkins, J. Rhodes, K. Booth, K. Garnett & J. Smith (with Exree Hipp , S. Jasikevicius. R. Elliott & M. Lucas coming off the bench) would have accomplished? Not to mention Smith went #1 and Garnett went 5th in that years draft.
That team (without Garnett) lost in the semi’s of the ACC Tourney to UNC by 5 and was a sweet-sixteen team that blew out Gonzaga and Texas before losing to UCONN by 10. I’d say a Natty would have been very possible if Garnett had went to UMD that year!
Throw in Booth and you would have had three 1st round picks from that team.
sorry!
we could really go all day with “what could have been’s.” What if Carmelo had the grades to get into school, same with Jeff Green, Lawrence Moten, Donyell Marshall etc. The list of players who “might have been” are just depressing to even think about.
by Shellshocked on Jan 30, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Or those that were "stolen"
Rudy Gay, cough cough
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy
We know how Calhoun got Rudy, but did anyone think that Rudy could not bear the thought of having to play even one more day with his center from Spaulding HS — that bum Will Bowers. What a waste of 7 feet…..
I consider that to be differant
As Rudy wanted a guaranteed starting spot, which Gary would not offer. I mean if your afraid of competing with Caner-Medley for playing time (and your a 5-star McDonald’s AA) what does that say about Rudy Gay?
His name says it all, lol.
But seriously, if he didn’t become boys with GV while at Memphis, I’d still hate him, haha.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
Don't Think So!
Rudy Gay was Locked, Stocked, and Bought by Calhoun! Case closed, playing time was all BS. That part of the reason, Connecticut, is having such a hard time being considered for acceptance to the ACC. Not just this Maryalnd /Gay issue, but Calhoun’s overall shady reputation.
A Copy of UnKnown Namath Tidbits
You would not believe the whole Namath fiasco about trying to get into Maryland. You only got a few of the tidbits. One fact ,is actually he could have gotten in. Palmer Hopkins, the Director of Admissions could have easily made an exception because Joe was that close.
In fact, upon his retirement from Maryland, someone asked him, what was his biggest regret/mistake over his many years, he unquestionably said, “Not making that exemption, and thus NOT letting Namath In”.
Tom Nuggent, the MD coach at that time, who got fired a couple of years later, also later said, "If I get the exemption, for Joe I might have won the National Championship, and then I’m Coach of the Year. If course the “Bear” did win the NAT Champ with Namath and was Coach of the Year and the rests history.
There even more to the irony of this story but I won’t bore you, but I’ll leave you with one hilarious additional tidbit —
Joe was being interveiwed for the DEC. 1970 issue of Playboy. The interveiwer ask him about how he wound-up going to Alabama. Joe’s reply," Well , I really wanted to go to Maryland or Notre Dame, but when I vistied Notre Dame, I realized there were No Dames ( it was then an all men’s college), No Dames NO JOE!, and I was too dumb to get in Maryalnd!
Didn't Joe Namath drunkenly hit on Bonnie Bernstein on camera once?
No Dames, NO JOE!! That guy was a mack.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
should have -
instead, Suzy Kolber was the recipient of Joe’s amorous, drunken statements – hah!
He started the “struggggiiillling!” phrase I use in softball on a rough night!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc65NC44dSk
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it was aimed at Suzy
We drop Joe’s “ssttrruggglllinggg” line here all the time in my office. Classic…..
by longerthanu on Jan 30, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
+1 - I'm glad it's sort of a mini classic
I’ve heard the Junks do it too, especially Lurch.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Joe's Romancing
I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Bonnie, but I thought it was “hilarious”, but my wife thought it was disgusting.
The “old story” on Joe was, “He completed more passes Off the Field, then He did on the Field!!” — and he completed quite a bit on the field!
Joe slayed 'em left and right in NYC with the Jets
He’d be the 1st to talk about that S…
On a related note, did anyone see LT get held to the fire by James Brown and Collinsworth this weekend on Inside the NFL? As a Big Blue fan, I was shocked at how much they stayed with it regarding LT’s transgressions with the allegedly unbenownst 16 y.o. LT said his wife is on him every day to remind him, and is trying to deal with it. The great irony is that later on, when talking about the Giants in the 80s with Simms and LT, they started laughing at all these crazy stories of LT’s partying ways. I guess LT learned that police forgave him of his transgressions when he played, but once he was done the rules changed. Shoot, even Giants brass allegedly covered him for his coke use.
I have to say though they were funny stories. Funny, but now sad too. I don’t think he can change his ways. He still thinks like his playing days. Didn’t even admit that if she were really 19, it was still wrong. I’m surprised JB didn’t get him on that.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 30, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
"Let's go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs, and have some fun!!"
I’m a Cowboys fan, but LT was a monster. Changed the game. Is it bad for me to enjoy the Theisman hit(joke).
Was he still wearing his dangling “LT” ear ring?
by 1 proud terp on Jan 30, 2012 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
No - just jeans and a sweater
shaved head with a tight beard – he looked low key.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 31, 2012 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
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