ESPN Classic 1989 DePaul St John's- 1-3 Today 3/13

[fun]

St John's had the game in hand and was up several baskets. Duke was getting the calls and this was before Duke was Duke. Singleton made some comment that was addressed to no one. I think he was even looking down at the ground. The ref T'd him up. That was the worst ref "job" ever. As I recall it resulted in a 6 point swing in the score. Boo had a chance to make one of his miracle shots but didn't. The rest is mostly ugly history.

Billy swore to me and friends who he knew well he didnt curse the refs or anything

"With nine minutes left to play, the Duke Blue Devils, who pride themselves on defense and execution, found themselves in a deepening hole after Chuck Sproling had given St. John's a 61-53 lead on a nicely executed give-and-go pass from Malik Sealy.

The next 55 seconds were a nightmare that the St. John's players will replay in their minds this summer as they reflect on Duke's 76-72 victory here in a second-round East Regional game.

After Sproling's basket, Duke pushed the ball up-court and Phil Henderson, the 6-foot senior guard, tried a top-of-the-key jumper. The shot fell short, and Henderson, along with Duke's Christian Laettner and the Redmen's Sproling and Billy Singleton, battled for possession. In the midst of the melee, Referee Ron Zethcher blew his whistle and called a foul against Sproling.

Singleton, the Redmen's gritty 6-7 forward who had been waging a ferocious battle against the 6-11 Laettner and the 6-10 Alaa Abdelnaby, wheeled around, stomped his feet, and screamed at Zetcher.

''That's the third time I've gotten fouled coming off the rebound!'' Singleton shouted.

Zetcher hit Singleton with a technical and set in motion a succession of shots that would change the game's momentum and catipult Duke to the regional semifinal game against U.C.L.A., which defeated Kansas, 71-70.

Robert Brickey made four consecutive foul shots - the two technicals plus both ends of the 1-and-1 on Sproling's foul - to cut the St. John's lead to 61-57. Duke also kept possession of the ball and made the most of this advantage when Abdelnaby tipped in a missed shot to cut the Redmen's lead to 61-59 with 8:35 left.

After the game, Singleton, who finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds, sat quietly in the Redmen's tomblike locker room.

''I screamed,'' he conceded. ''It was in the heat of battle. It was the turning point of the game, because it gave them motivation.''

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/19/sports/duke-down-by-8-gets-past-st-john-s.html

 

[mjmaherjr]

St John's had the game in hand and was up several baskets. Duke was getting the calls and this was before Duke was Duke. Singleton made some comment that was addressed to no one. I think he was even looking down at the ground. The ref T'd him up. That was the worst ref "job" ever. As I recall it resulted in a 6 point swing in the score. Boo had a chance to make one of his miracle shots but didn't. The rest is mostly ugly history.

Billy swore to me and friends who he knew well he didnt curse the refs or anything

"With nine minutes left to play, the Duke Blue Devils, who pride themselves on defense and execution, found themselves in a deepening hole after Chuck Sproling had given St. John's a 61-53 lead on a nicely executed give-and-go pass from Malik Sealy.

The next 55 seconds were a nightmare that the St. John's players will replay in their minds this summer as they reflect on Duke's 76-72 victory here in a second-round East Regional game.

After Sproling's basket, Duke pushed the ball up-court and Phil Henderson, the 6-foot senior guard, tried a top-of-the-key jumper. The shot fell short, and Henderson, along with Duke's Christian Laettner and the Redmen's Sproling and Billy Singleton, battled for possession. In the midst of the melee, Referee Ron Zethcher blew his whistle and called a foul against Sproling.

Singleton, the Redmen's gritty 6-7 forward who had been waging a ferocious battle against the 6-11 Laettner and the 6-10 Alaa Abdelnaby, wheeled around, stomped his feet, and screamed at Zetcher.

''That's the third time I've gotten fouled coming off the rebound!'' Singleton shouted.

Zetcher hit Singleton with a technical and set in motion a succession of shots that would change the game's momentum and catipult Duke to the regional semifinal game against U.C.L.A., which defeated Kansas, 71-70.

Robert Brickey made four consecutive foul shots - the two technicals plus both ends of the 1-and-1 on Sproling's foul - to cut the St. John's lead to 61-57. Duke also kept possession of the ball and made the most of this advantage when Abdelnaby tipped in a missed shot to cut the Redmen's lead to 61-59 with 8:35 left.

After the game, Singleton, who finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds, sat quietly in the Redmen's tomblike locker room.

''I screamed,'' he conceded. ''It was in the heat of battle. It was the turning point of the game, because it gave them motivation.''

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/19/sports/duke-down-by-8-gets-past-st-john-s.html

''That's the third time I've gotten fouled coming off the rebound!'' Singleton shouted.

Well that certainly wasn't cursing. I dont see how someone could get a T for yelling that unless you are playing Duke. Hence the day my hate of anything Duke was born

 

[sjc88]

MJ yes this was played right around Thanksgiving and was pre=season NITgame. Interesting that you announced that game. ESPN announcers were Dukie V and the late great John Saunders.

 

[boo haarvey]

Sproling struggled except in the '91 Elite 8 run when he came alive.

But he could still give a defensive clinic to the current team.

funny that we came in same year and he had this huge rep for offense and yet his defense was excellent. about 6ft 4 if my memory serves me correct. Around my height. I'm 6 ft 4. Maybe he was slightly taller I forget. But he didnt lay off guys and give them room. He would get in their face when he had to and he could lock guys down. He must have had long arms because I remember him guarding some 3's at times

Also hit the game winning jumper against Syracuse at MSG in 92 with just a few seconds left on the clock.

Also hit a last second shot against seton hall to send the game to ot as I recall

 

[mjmaherjr]

MJ yes this was played right around Thanksgiving and was pre=season NITgame. Interesting that you announced that game. ESPN announcers were Dukie V and the late great John Saunders.

Unfortunately back in those years the games at MSG they didnt put WSJU on the court. We actually had to do the broadcast from high up. Not 400's but right below that. But we got press credentials and we were able to meet all the sports guys. That's how I originally met Mike and The Mad Dog before they were famous

At Alumni Hall we had prime broadcasting spot on the floor which was very cool

 

[sjc88]

MJ yes this was played right around Thanksgiving and was pre=season NITgame. Interesting that you announced that game. ESPN announcers were Dukie V and the late great John Saunders.

Unfortunately back in those years the games at MSG they didnt put WSJU on the court. We actually had to do the broadcast from high up. Not 400's but right below that. But we got press credentials and we were able to meet all the sports guys. That's how I originally met Mike and The Mad Dog before they were famous

At Alumni Hall we had prime broadcasting spot on the floor which was very cool

Nice memory. I only remember WSJU playing in the speakers in the UC or cafeteria. I grew up in Queens and when I drove home after classes I think you lost the signal around Union Turnpike. LOL. Of course this was before computers and streaming and all that! I graduated in January 1988 (stupidly early). Knowing what I know now I would have graduated late but not sure the old guy paying the bill would have approved.

 

[mjmaherjr]

MJ yes this was played right around Thanksgiving and was pre=season NITgame. Interesting that you announced that game. ESPN announcers were Dukie V and the late great John Saunders.

Unfortunately back in those years the games at MSG they didnt put WSJU on the court. We actually had to do the broadcast from high up. Not 400's but right below that. But we got press credentials and we were able to meet all the sports guys. That's how I originally met Mike and The Mad Dog before they were famous

At Alumni Hall we had prime broadcasting spot on the floor which was very cool

Nice memory. I only remember WSJU playing in the speakers in the UC or cafeteria. I grew up in Queens and when I drove home after classes I think you lost the signal around Union Turnpike. LOL. Of course this was before computers and streaming and all that! I graduated in January 1988 (stupidly early). Knowing what I know now I would have graduated late but not sure the old guy paying the bill would have approved.

when I graduated in 92 wsju still had the same listening range as when you graduated

 

[bamafan]

MJ yes this was played right around Thanksgiving and was pre=season NITgame. Interesting that you announced that game. ESPN announcers were Dukie V and the late great John Saunders.

Unfortunately back in those years the games at MSG they didnt put WSJU on the court. We actually had to do the broadcast from high up. Not 400's but right below that. But we got press credentials and we were able to meet all the sports guys. That's how I originally met Mike and The Mad Dog before they were famous

At Alumni Hall we had prime broadcasting spot on the floor which was very cool

Nice memory. I only remember WSJU playing in the speakers in the UC or cafeteria. I grew up in Queens and when I drove home after classes I think you lost the signal around Union Turnpike. LOL. Of course this was before computers and streaming and all that! I graduated in January 1988 (stupidly early). Knowing what I know now I would have graduated late but not sure the old guy paying the bill would have approved.

when I graduated in 92 wsju still had the same listening range as when you graduated

In the 70's our games were carried by if I remember correctly WGBB 1240 who's signal came in fine during the day but at night (when most of the games are played) was so weak it would go in and out and even when it was in you could barely hear it. I used to say the only person who could hear the signal was the guy who climbed up to the top of the radio tower. (David Halberstam-not the writer was the one man announcer).

 

[sjc88]

In the 70's our games were carried by if I remember correctly WGBB 1240 who's signal came in fine during the day but at night (when most of the games are played) was so weak it would go in and out and even when it was in you could barely hear it. I used to say the only person who could hear the signal was the guy who climbed up to the top of the radio tower. (David Halberstam-not the writer was the one man announcer).[/quote]

Didn't Halberstam announce games a few seasons for SJU on WCBS in the 80's? St John's has done a terrible job having a radio "home" or "voice". I know we had Gary Cohen and Ed Coleman for awhile. I thing Gary now does Seton Hall. Not sure why... it isa form of marketing your product.

 

[mjmaherjr]

In the 70's our games were carried by if I remember correctly WGBB 1240 who's signal came in fine during the day but at night (when most of the games are played) was so weak it would go in and out and even when it was in you could barely hear it. I used to say the only person who could hear the signal was the guy who climbed up to the top of the radio tower. (David Halberstam-not the writer was the one man announcer).

Didn't Halberstam announce games a few seasons for SJU on WCBS in the 80's? St John's has done a terrible job having a radio "home" or "voice". I know we had Gary Cohen and Ed Coleman for awhile. I thing Gary now does Seton Hall. Not sure why... it isa form of marketing your product.[/quote]

Ed Coleman is real nice guy. WSJU played WFAN in a charity basketball game at Alumni Hall in I think 91. If I remember correctly Coleman played in that game but I also met him after that and he is a really down to earth guy. That was a fun game to play in. We lost barley. Jodi Mac was a dick on the court. Dirty freaking player. Total hacker like the guys I used to play with at night at the YMCA

 

[sjc88]

In the 70's our games were carried by if I remember correctly WGBB 1240 who's signal came in fine during the day but at night (when most of the games are played) was so weak it would go in and out and even when it was in you could barely hear it. I used to say the only person who could hear the signal was the guy who climbed up to the top of the radio tower. (David Halberstam-not the writer was the one man announcer).

Didn't Halberstam announce games a few seasons for SJU on WCBS in the 80's? St John's has done a terrible job having a radio "home" or "voice". I know we had Gary Cohen and Ed Coleman for awhile. I thing Gary now does Seton Hall. Not sure why... it isa form of marketing your product.

Ed Coleman is real nice guy. WSJU played WFAN in a charity basketball game at Alumni Hall in I think 91. If I remember correctly Coleman played in that game but I also met him after that and he is a really down to earth guy. That was a fun game to play in. We lost barley. Jodi Mac was a dick on the court. Dirty freaking player. Total hacker like the guys I used to play with at night at the YMCA[/quote]

Funny but that is exactly how I would have figured those two. Eddie C always seemed like the good guy type. He must have played before his heart issues. If I remember correctly he has had some issues but seems ok now. Every time I think of/listen to Jodi Mac I think of the old guy sitting with a cigar, smelling of liquor and hanging at the corner OTB. Probably not fair but he is way to knowledgeable about the ponies for it to be a casual pursuit! I hate it when he makes excuses for his father who ran the Mets. Tries to blame ownership for every misstep. Yet his father took the job.

 

[mjmaherjr]

In the 70's our games were carried by if I remember correctly WGBB 1240 who's signal came in fine during the day but at night (when most of the games are played) was so weak it would go in and out and even when it was in you could barely hear it. I used to say the only person who could hear the signal was the guy who climbed up to the top of the radio tower. (David Halberstam-not the writer was the one man announcer).

Didn't Halberstam announce games a few seasons for SJU on WCBS in the 80's? St John's has done a terrible job having a radio "home" or "voice". I know we had Gary Cohen and Ed Coleman for awhile. I thing Gary now does Seton Hall. Not sure why... it isa form of marketing your product.

Ed Coleman is real nice guy. WSJU played WFAN in a charity basketball game at Alumni Hall in I think 91. If I remember correctly Coleman played in that game but I also met him after that and he is a really down to earth guy. That was a fun game to play in. We lost barley. Jodi Mac was a dick on the court. Dirty freaking player. Total hacker like the guys I used to play with at night at the YMCA

Funny but that is exactly how I would have figured those two. Eddie C always seemed like the good guy type. He must have played before his heart issues. If I remember correctly he has had some issues but seems ok now. Every time I think of/listen to Jodi Mac I think of the old guy sitting with a cigar, smelling of liquor and hanging at the corner OTB. Probably not fair but he is way to knowledgeable about the ponies for it to be a casual pursuit! I hate it when he makes excuses for his father who ran the Mets. Tries to blame ownership for every misstep. Yet his father took the job.[/quote]



Jodi Mac had these ugly ass hawaiian shorts. We were like WTF is he wearing in this game. LOL I wish I could remember who else played for them but it was before they were real well known. I know Francesa didnt play but he was there. I think Dog might have played but it was so long ago I can't really remember. anymore

I could totally see your description of Jodi.