Marquette, Sat. Feb. 10, Noon, YES (FOX SN) / 970AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Line opened up as a Pick Em.
Sounds about right
Sounds about right
Knight wrote: Marquette coach has fond memories of playing at Alumni Hall.
No matter what happens, it will be hard for Wojciechowski to top his experience in 1994 when he played in the McDonald's All-American Game at the gym then known as Alumni Hall.
I was at that McDonald's All-American game back in 1994 and remember it very well. It was my first time going to one of these elite High School all-star games live. It was very electric being in Alumni Hall that day especially knowing that St. John's had the number one rated recruit (Felipe Lopez) and the number three rated recruit (Zendon Hamilton) in the game.
Ironically, although it was hard to know at the time, but in retrospect this was not a vinatge crop of High School seniors. From that year probably the best High School player in America was not even allowed to be invited. Allen Iverson missed his senior year in High School due to legal problems stemming from an altercation at a bowling alley and was not eligible to be invited to play in the game.
Ten of the players in the game did go on to the NBA with varying degrees of success. Probably the most significant career there was Antoine Walker's. Walker also won a national title in college with Kentucky in 1996 before going on to have a successful NBA career with the Boston Celtics and others. Besides Walker, Felipe and Zendon others who made it to the NBA from that game were Danny Fortson, Lorezen Wright (who was sadly murdered in 2010), Adonal Foyle, Raef Lafrenz, Trajan Langdon, Chris Herren and Andre Patterson.
I also remember future Marquette coach Steve Wojciehowski from that game as a tough hardnosed kid. He played his career out at Duke and after as an assistant and then head coach with that same tough hardnosed attitude.
The high scorer in the game was Jerod Ward from Mississippi who scored 25 points. Ward never really built on the promise he showed in that game and did not have a very significant collegiate career at Michigan.
Felipe was the MVP of the game scoring 24 points displaying a high level of athleticism and excitement that was his trademark. Zendon also played pretty well and showed off his ability to rebound and to get to the rim and finish.
The third local player in that game was the smallest and quickest on the court. Karem Reid from St. Raymond's High School in the Bronx was a lightning quick point guard, with a great handle. He was an excellent distributor and could really break down defenses and either get to the rim or dish to a shooter. I remember him as standing out as by far the quickest player with the ball in that game. If Brian Mahoney had somehow added Reid to that 1994 recruiting class then perhaps Felipe and Zendon would have experienced more wins and team success during their St. John's tenure. As it was, Reid was academically ineligible that next year and sat out a season before going on to a successful four year career at the University of Arkansas.
Despite the incredible day of basketball on the court, my most lasting memory happened during halftime. I made my way down to court level at halftime and got to have a brief conversation with the legendary John Wooden. Wooden couldn't have been nicer or more genuine to me as we talked about the game. I remember him being respectful in his evaluation of the talent out on the court but was also somewhat conservative in displaying enthusiasm for the overall quality level of this particular group of players.
I have never asked any sports figure for an autograph before that day or since, but I did ask and get coach Wooden to autograph my McDonald's All American program.
No matter what happens, it will be hard for Wojciechowski to top his experience in 1994 when he played in the McDonald's All-American Game at the gym then known as Alumni Hall.
I was at that McDonald's All-American game back in 1994 and remember it very well. It was my first time going to one of these elite High School all-star games live. It was very electric being in Alumni Hall that day especially knowing that St. John's had the number one rated recruit (Felipe Lopez) and the number three rated recruit (Zendon Hamilton) in the game.
Ironically, although it was hard to know at the time, but in retrospect this was not a vinatge crop of High School seniors. From that year probably the best High School player in America was not even allowed to be invited. Allen Iverson missed his senior year in High School due to legal problems stemming from an altercation at a bowling alley and was not eligible to be invited to play in the game.
Ten of the players in the game did go on to the NBA with varying degrees of success. Probably the most significant career there was Antoine Walker's. Walker also won a national title in college with Kentucky in 1996 before going on to have a successful NBA career with the Boston Celtics and others. Besides Walker, Felipe and Zendon others who made it to the NBA from that game were Danny Fortson, Lorezen Wright (who was sadly murdered in 2010), Adonal Foyle, Raef Lafrenz, Trajan Langdon, Chris Herren and Andre Patterson.
I also remember future Marquette coach Steve Wojciehowski from that game as a tough hardnosed kid. He played his career out at Duke and after as an assistant and then head coach with that same tough hardnosed attitude.
The high scorer in the game was Jerod Ward from Mississippi who scored 25 points. Ward never really built on the promise he showed in that game and did not have a very significant collegiate career at Michigan.
Felipe was the MVP of the game scoring 24 points displaying a high level of athleticism and excitement that was his trademark. Zendon also played pretty well and showed off his ability to rebound and to get to the rim and finish.
The third local player in that game was the smallest and quickest on the court. Karem Reid from St. Raymond's High School in the Bronx was a lightning quick point guard, with a great handle. He was an excellent distributor and could really break down defenses and either get to the rim or dish to a shooter. I remember him as standing out as by far the quickest player with the ball in that game. If Brian Mahoney had somehow added Reid to that 1994 recruiting class then perhaps Felipe and Zendon would have experienced more wins and team success during their St. John's tenure. As it was, Reid was academically ineligible that next year and sat out a season before going on to a successful four year career at the University of Arkansas.
Despite the incredible day of basketball on the court, my most lasting memory happened during halftime. I made my way down to court level at halftime and got to have a brief conversation with the legendary John Wooden. Wooden couldn't have been nicer or more genuine to me as we talked about the game. I remember him being respectful in his evaluation of the talent out on the court but was also somewhat conservative in displaying enthusiasm for the overall quality level of this particular group of players.
I have never asked any sports figure for an autograph before that day or since, but I did ask and get coach Wooden to autograph my McDonald's All American program.
beast of the east
Active member
A win here will prove a lot and signal a real turnaround. Lose here at home and doubters will creep back in. Really important game to win imo, as the climb back to respectability.
I'm sure staff has impressed on them that the last 7bdays are history and to continue to bring it.
I'm sure staff has impressed on them that the last 7bdays are history and to continue to bring it.
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
Rowsey’s foot was on the line... the center circle line
Still sloppy D on Howard and Rowsry . Ahmed foul at 3 Pt Line wasn’t good . Pump faked him like a 8 th grader
Awful play so far . Can’t give Rousey 6 points on the line . He’s torching Simon on fakes . 3 fouls on him, can’t do that .
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
Owens takes another forearm to the chest
34-32 we are up at half
Playing tough
I believe it’s a guard #30 killing us with 3 pters
Oh yes it’s Rowsey!
Playing tough
I believe it’s a guard #30 killing us with 3 pters
Oh yes it’s Rowsey!
Yup. Rousey and Howard get calls and Ponds gets mauled every drive and gets zip . Justin Simon should never shoot a 3 . We need more contribution from Owens , Clark , Ahmed in 2 Nd half . Marquette making same mistake as Nova in trying to guard Ponds on the switch with a big man ., and , key will be keeping out of foul trouble for the Starters .