Good Mornin’! Good Mornin’!
I’m sure your bracket like mine was toast after only a few games.
But at least we have a tournament this year after a corona-induced hiatus.
The Men’s and Women’s NCAA Tournament has always been a highlight for me, especially while in college and actually was the beat reporter for the Lady Rebels while a student. We missed out on two final fours. I remember the losses, at Western Kentucky and at Texas in back-to-back seasons. I was there but I have no clue who we beat in the first round or how we did in the SEC tourney leading up.
The losses stand out. In high school, we lost to Adams County Christian by two points to be knocked out of the Overall AAA tourney in 1981. That hurt after a successful year but as the old saying goes by coaches, only one team ends up with a smile and a trophy at the end. In March Madness, those non-shining moments that tally up as losses hurt deep. A talented Ole Miss team lost to that brat Bryce Drew’s last second hail Mary in the 1998 tourney. I honestly wasn’t disappointed when he was canned as Vandy’s coach a season or two ago. Petty? Maybe, but Hotty Toddy Rebel Karma, baby…lol…
The tournament is filled with historic losses. NC State beating powerhouse Houston and Phi Slamma Jamma in 1983. Indiana State and Larry Bird losing to Magic and his Michigan State team in 1979. Anyone beating Kentucky in any year.
But then there are those “almost wins” that shook a ranked team early and serves as an example for years to come. In the 1980s, flashy Lafayette Stribling was putting a colorful mark on the basketball world at Mississippi Valley State University in only his third season – all three above .500 and then some.
Yes, all eyes had been on the football field where Willie Totten and Jerry Rice were winning and breaking all kinds of records. But the roundball boys were trying to make some noise. The Delta Devils had put together a 20-11 season, made the tourney as a #16 and drew #1 Duke. The Blue Devils overlooked their Delta Devils counterpart, much to their dismay.
MVSU led throughout the first half and into the second. Duke only took the lead with 11:54 left in the game on a three-point play by Mark Alarie, 57-56. Quoting a Chicago Tribune story by Robert Markus.
“We didn`t go in being afraid,'' said Lafayette Stribling, coach of the Delta Devils, who had lost 10 games, including early-season defeats to the likes of Bishop College and Augusta. “I thought we were a few things away from winning this game.”
Stribling was referring to the fact that four of his five starters fouled out, including forward Mark Coleman and guard Mack Ferguson, who had 24 and 18 points, respectively.
Duke had a tremendous size advantage, and its 44-23 rebounding margin was telling. But the Delta Devils made up for it with a ferocious zone press that forced 23 turnovers.
“Have y`all seen anything quicker than that?” wondered Stribling.
Duke hadn’t and they did pull out the win, 85-78. The Delta Devils have had four more appearances in March Madness but each time denied the win by teams such as Georgetown and UCLA. None of the games were close as MVSU’s 1986 attempt kept their highly ranked opponents’ eyes wide open. Duke would lose in the finals to Louisville, 72-69, so perhaps a little Delta Devil karma was dealt to the Blue Devils after all.
….one shining moment, indeed.
