Doug and Ricky, academically, (rhymes with Pitt) the bed.

Would have helped to land Varner and Lloyd Moore. Plus after BB, we were never quite the same at PG. I liked Andy Sissini, but neither he, Tom Cvitkovic nor John Farrell gave us what BB had.

But watching Bruce Atkins play four years (two after I graduated) was something special. He's the last Duke to play in two major postseason tournaments (two NITs).

I always was a Mike Rice fan, ever since he kicked a hole in the bass drum at the Penn Palestra in Philly.

So this happened after Mike was fired at Duquesne, a Shaler kid, Joey Nathan was around 6-6 and playing center, he was nephew of a former round ball player I worked with, Bill Nathan. So I drive over to Shaler high to watch him play. At half time I looked down the bleachers and Coach Rice was sitting there, of course no one knew who he was. So I moved down and introduced myself as a Duquesne fan and told him how much I enjoyed him as a player and coach.

Mike was down to earth and really a humble guy, when I asked if he would bring YSU to play Duquesne he said Duquesne would never play his teams. I was around 28 at this time and of course thought Duquesne would be back on top.

I will always remember Mike as a regular guy who talked to a stranger about basketball and treated me well. Hope he enjoys his retirement.

Mike Rice was never boring, reporters loved him bc he always gave them a story.  He kept the Duquesne program in the spotlight locally more than any other coach I can remember.  He attracted some talent and had an edge, a toughness that we haven't had at Duquesne since.  He won games too, but apparently the upper level Admin didn't tolerate his antics which would probably seem rather innocent in comparison with the Pitino's of college basketball today.