McGuire was out of New York, colorful, witty and bombastic and in the days before the Big East got control of the New York area, was able to successfully recruit the Big Apple and get talent back to the Midwest. Do you have a blog? NCAA Tournament: 1976-77 NCAA Basketball Champion Marquette Warriors Team Photo Postcard. The chemistry, the momentum, everything gelled at one time. The Warriors played their home games at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a Division I Independent. By Meagan Nantwich - February 28, 2019. Lets try to enjoy it and soak it in,' Dudley says. The final was 67-59 Marquette and the indelible image of that game is the old warhorse himself, McGuire on the bench with tears rolling down his cheeks, a champion in the last game he ever coached. Marquette went on a three-game losing streak in the MECCA, including falling in Ellis last home game 75-64. They wiped away the basket and it was still 67-64 and the K State player was given a bonus FT opportunity?? The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. All rights reserved. 1977-78 Marquette Warriors men's basketball team - Wikipedia Three years prior, the team made it to the 1974 NCAA national championship game, but fell to North Carolina State 76-64. Wake Forest was the highest-ranked opponent theyd faced and Charlottes upset of Michigan in a regional final was a big boost. Author Joe Moran, [You Can Call Me Al] was a guest MU had a game on Sat afternoon so many of the fans heard it driving to Milw for the game..it was such a popular show I asked Joe to return the next week..and we did two shows on Al.One of the callers raised this issue about a crazy play that happened at the end of a tournament game where Al charged the court and got a ref to change a critical call at the end of the game.the caller said he was confused about the play could not remember the opponent but it was a crucial moment in the NCAA run to the 77 Title for Marquette.and he asked for an explanation Wow.did I ever know the play.I was 16 yrs. 2008-09 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball media guide. $19.99 $5.30 shipping With his retirement after the season already announced, McGuire expected to finish his career in the NIT. Not only did we lose a number of games that year, but we lost a number of those games at home which was very unusual for an Al McGuire team.. ', But the McGuire technical energized MU.and they lead 67-64 with about 10 seconds to play..there was no three point line at the time in NCAA games.so KState rushes the ball up the floor McGuire was screaming 'No Fouls! Dudley was a South Milwaukee native and had transferred from Michigan State. Please credit: Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Marquette University Libraries. Raynor Memorial Libraries, Marquette University. Ellis notes McGuires decision was due to basketball taking a toll on his body. From 1980s sports, to the Lou Holtz era at Notre Dame, to the historic 1978 baseball season, TheSportsNotebook.com has three books available in both print and electronic format at Amazon. The player popped off to the coach on the sideline and McGuire had to be restrained in the locker room as he went after him. ', 'The great" Bo Ellis #31 (Photo: Marquette Athletic Dept Photo), But then a miracle.Al wasnt screaminghe was making an argument to the ref about the play. MEN'S BASKETBALL REALIA - Marquette University I was stunned! Won National Final (67-59) versus North Carolina. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The 1977 Marquette basketball team had come off a strong run in 1976 that ended in a tournament loss to Bob Knight's undefeated Indiana team in a regional final. The story behind that 1977 Marquette team photo - Pinterest Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 1976-77 Marquette Golden Eagles Men's Roster and Stats Everyday when current Marquette head coach SteveWojciechowski walks past McGuires statue to get to the mens basketball offices, he sees not only the Hall of Fame coach, but also a Marquette legend. Here is a video from the official NCAA Films from 1977 which shows the play. They were supplemented by sophomore forward Bernard Toone, post man Jerome Whitehead and role players Bill Neary, who hit the boards and guard Jim Boylan who could shoot from the outside. He was a very caring.. Remembering 1977 game: Marquette vs Kansas State in NCAA Tourney It was not an unstoppable team, as the early lossesand those still to comewould indicate but it was a tough team to beat when they were playing well. In the final AP poll released prior to the Sweet Sixteen, Marquette moved from sixteenth to seven in the rankings. From left to right: Jim Boylan, Bill Neary, Ulice Payne, Alfred (Butch) Lee, Jim Dudley, Gary Rosenberger, Bernard Toone, Jerome Whitehead, Craig Butrym, Roberty Byrd, and Bo Ellis. March 12, 2014 5:01 pm ET. One of them came against Kansas State, as they were dominated on the glass by the Wildcat duo of Darryl Winston and Curtis Redding, trailed late in the game, but somehow stole a 67-66 win behind 45 combined points from Lee and Ellis. His players understood how in 1977, Marquette Coach Al McGuire could retire when he was 48 years old and had just won a national championship. When I had my Sat morning radio show. It was electric, Ellis says. Butch Lee - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com It was Bo Ellis, one of the star players of the 1977 Championship team, who helped to establish Marquettes notable reputation in the world of style. Sportinal is for sports lovers . Al McGuire did not get a T? The Big Dance is a commonly used synonym for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, even more commonly known as March Madness. Al McGuire, later to gain fame as an NBC commentator was the head coach. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? You say that theres only 12-13 players a year who are national (champions) is one thing, but to be one of 13 players at Marquette in (the) entire history of the program to win a championship is pretty remarkable too., Even though 1977 was McGuires last season, Boylan says the team never thought Lets go win it for Al., There was an underlying feeling of this is kind of a Hollywood script here coach announces his retirement and now hes going to win the NCAA Championship in his last game, Boylan says.