Al Goes Out In Style....must read material

Courtesy of a faithful Cracked Sidewalks reader, here is the actual Sports Illustrated cover story recounting Marquette's 1977 National Championship. If that link is slow, here's the landing page.

Good reading and thanks!!

Memories refreshed: SI looks back at the 1977 NCAA Champions

Sports Illustrated's 'Where Are They Now' feature jumps into the wayback machine and lands in Milwaukee this week with a look at one of the most memorable teams in the history of college basketball, the 1977 Marquette Warriors.

You know, that Bernard Toone vs. Al McGuire episode never gets old. Nor does that shiny championship trophy, MU's sublime second half run, the picture of Bo piercing through the net at the Omni, or the photograph of this one-of-a-kind team decked out along side a classic car.

The article, which will appear in the July 2 issue of the hard copy, can be found here. In looking at the present-day vocations of these fellas you'd have to say that this truly is one special group of guys.

Al McGuire is everywhere

Al McGuire's legacy has been recounted in dozens of news reports over the last few days.

As the Detroit Free Press said this weekend, "But here's the good March Madness news: When you eventually get to heaven, the late, great Al McGuire will cheerfully be doing all the Final Four games all the time. Sweet."

Check out the links below:

• Mihael Hunt of the Journal-Sentinel.
• NYT's blog, The Bracket, posts on Al -- and there are comments that follow.
• The Atlanta-Journal Consitution on Al's crowning achievement.
• Bil Dwyre of the LA Times offers a nice column here -- Check out the lead.....In one way or another, we are all carbon copies. Except Al McGuire. He was one of a kind. Rick Majerus calls him "an original original." This one is a keeper.

Coach Al McGuire TEES OFF on the NCAA..30 years ago

It was 30 years ago today, March 28, 1977 that Marquette won the national title beating North Carolina in Atlanta. It almost didn't happen. MU was lucky to get a bid and perhaps even luckier to survive a second round game against Kansas State in which MU won by 1.

After the game Coach McGuire blasted the NCAA for a technical foul that was called against him. The 7 minute episode was recorded and provided by the Appleton Post-Crescent. We sure miss this man. Take a listen

Jerry Karpowicz also writes of the event in today's OnMilwaukee online magazine. Nice article Jerry.

Thanks to the boys over at Marquette Hoops for pointing these two items out.

A hat tip to GE1974

Remembering Al McGuire

Thirty years ago today Marquette University enjoyed its greatest athletic achievement when Al McGuire led the Warriors to the 1977 National Championship.

Al's legacy remains strong -- check out this nice tribute over at Stiles Points, an homage to Al. Nice job.

Wonderful Al McGuire Retrospective

In case you missed it, Steve Yanda of the Marquette Tribune penned a wonderful retrospective on Al McGuire this week entitled, 'Walking away a winner'. Steve spoke with Bo Ellis, Jerome Whitehead, Bernard Toone and many others to shed light on Coach Al and his decision to retire back in 1977. Check this out:

The night before McGuire's retirement announcement, Jerome Whitehead had a dream.

In the dream, McGuire announced that he would not leave the team, but Whitehead, then a junior center, knew better.

"I knew it was the opposite," Whitehead said. "I knew it was his way of saying, 'I'm leaving.' "

Nice job, Steve. Read it all right here.

FIRE UP MARQUETTE

Here's a rundown of Saturday's must-do items:


8am -- ESPN Gameday at the Bradley Center. It is free folks, so pack the house. The first 1,000 fans get one of these jolly golden t-shirts. MU will run shuttle buses from campus.

(after conclusion of Gameday .... commence with day-long party and inevitable liver abuse)

7pm -- enter the Bradley Center and put on the nifty 1977 blue commemorative t-shirt.


7:01 pm -- Suck in gut. Stand up straight, and try to locate Erin Andrews. If married, hide your wedding ring and maybe she'll meet you for a beer later.

8pm -- Yell like hell for the good guys as they take the court against the enemy.

9pm -- Honor the 1977 National Champions. Repeat. Honor the 1977 National Champions.

10pm -- Yell like hell for the good guys as they look to earn their 10th conference win.

10:01 pm - - Sit your butt down and watch the Senior Night ceremony. Enthusiastically cheer and for Jamil Lott, Mike Kinsella and Craig Kuphall. THANKS GUYS!

10:30 pm -- Resume partying and liver abuse while talking with buddies about how Erin Andrews will show up at the bar at any minute looking for you.

11:02pm -- The most recent conversation is stricken from your memory when you complete your first Jagerbomb.

***Can't make it to the game? Get with your local alums at one of the many National Marquette Day events around the country.

Calling Uncle Mo'

When MU (22-8, 9-6) and Pitt (25-5, 12-3) renew their budding rivalry on Saturday night, they will do so with much at stake.

On Senior Night with a 10-win conference season within their grasp, the 1977 National Champions in the house, and Selection Sunday looming, the Marquette Golden Eagles have plenty of incentive this weekend. And don't forget - - with a win on Saturday, the Panthers will earn at least a share of the 2006-2007 Big East title. Oh, and this is a national TV game.

MU beat the Panthers in overtime 77-74 earlier this season, part of the team's fast start in the Big East. Yet since their sensational 6-2 start in conference play the Golden Eagles have been grounded for much of the second half of the season, losing four of their last five outings. Slumps can happen when you play one of the two toughest intra-conference schedules. Its time for good ol' Uncle Mo' to visit this young, talented team once again.

The team's inconsistency in conference play is personified by Dominic James. James has been both magic (see MU's win at Pitt) and tragic (see MU's loss at Georgetown) this year. The sophomore PG has only scored in double figures in three of his last seven games, and hasn't shot 50% from the field in a game since MU's win over Seton Hall back in January -- which happens to be the only game in which James made half his shots since early December. Its been a tough sophomore season in the Big East for Dominic James -- yet he is still playing a solid floor game as evidenced by his 1.8/1 A/TO ratio.

Still, James matches up well with the Panthers. In three career games against Pitt, James is averaging 18.3ppg, 4.6 apg, and 4 rpg. In MU's win at Pitt earlier this season, the Panthers' Levance Fields was overmatched against James, fouling out after scoring just two points.

MU's greatest advantage on Saturday night is its quick, athletic, fast backcourt -- the Panthers just don't have the same caliber of athlete at the guard positions. Of course, Pitt has that same physical advantage on the baseline with Aaron Gray, Levon Kendall, Sam Young, Tyrell Biggs and company. Although according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Pitt starting forward Levon Kendall did not go through a full practice yesterday because of a nagging turf toe injury, and his backup Sam Young is struggling with tendonitis in his knees. Both are expected to play tomorrow night against Marquette."

In his Q/A with Rosiak earlier this week, Crean noted that improved post defense begins with more appreciable backcourt pressure. TC's had plenty of time to focus on that and other gaps in his team's game. After a tough slog through the Big East, Crean's squad enjoyed a full week to prepare for the physical Panthers, time that bodes well for MU IMHO. The extra practice time came at an ideal time for a team that failed to slow down the inside game against teams with similar inside presence (Notre Dame and Georgetown).

Tipoff is scheduled for 8pm CST on ESPN.

MEDIA UPDATE

• John Keegan of the Marquette Tribune previews the season finale.
• The AP on Pitt's fight for a share of the Big East title.
• Here's the MUScoop info header for the game.
  
• Mike Bennett of the Richmond Palladium-Item delivers a column on James and MU.
• Panthers' beat reporter Ray Fittipaldo has an informative Q/A today.
• Rosiak blogs on MU's seniors as they prepare for Senior Night. Ouch. Worse, he ignores Craig Kuphall in his blog -- bogus! Craig is putting in just as much time and effort as the scholarship players and deserves the attention and appreciation as well. THANK YOU CRAIG KUPHALL!
• Marquette Hoops goes in-depth to preview the MU/Pitt rematch.
• PittLive with a profile of Panther's PF Tyrell Biggs.
  

Recapping the 1977 Warriors

The Warriors ruled 1977.

Their release on an unsuspecting public was rather understated but soon word spread about the intensity of the bunch, its street-smart and aggressive leader, and the toughness that embodied the group. With their leader marked for elimination and their own institution's identity at risk, rival gangs united against the Warriors' cause.

Yet the group boldly took all all comers in pursuit of their destiny. A destiny of triumph, vindication and redemption.

From start to finish the Warriors captivated America before emerging as the unexpected champions - - against so many odds.

The team was pushed to the brink of madness as they fought to maintain unity through the disappointment of early losses. Some Warriors turned against one another, leading to an infamous locker room brawl late in the season.

Still, the Warriors overcame the setbacks, remained unified and earned more victories than defeats during their memorable series of battles that year.

Yet their work was not done. The Warriors had not secured their destiny, their new home turf.

As the gauntlet continued, the madness of the season intensified. The Warriors had near-elimination experiences against the Furies, the Hi-Hats, the Boppers, the Lizzies, the Turnbull AC's and the Gramercy Riffs before reaching their final destination. The opposition was most fierce in the closing moments when the good guys where challenged to a pair of memorable battles on the promised land for all to see.

The Warriors did not back down.

When foolishly challenged by an unworthy opponent with gimmicky weaponry and a nortorious baiting call, "Warriors, come out to play-i-ay!" -- play they did.

The renegade bunch turned the tables and rallied late to earn an emotional triump, forever solidifying the Warriors as 1977's most enduring phenomenon with a legacy that still captures the imagination three decades later.

This Saturday, let's honor the Warriors once again.

OK, OK......I know that the film was not released until 1979, but that timeline didn't work so well for the smartassery/sarcasm I had in mind this morning. And hey--the storylines are eerily similar :-)