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The blog on the five best players got me to thinking where is the mention of players that I grew up watching and hooked me as a Dukes fan. That era began in 1968-1969 season while I was in grade school and for the next three seasons afterward. Their record was 21-5 losing to North Carolina in regional semifinals by 1. The following year was a bit of disappointment, record of 17-7 and all five starters got drafted. The following season they went 21-4 and could not go dancing because of the Roddy incident. Four of the five staters were from the previous season, with Mike Barr replacing Billy Zoph at the point. Therefore all five starters were drafted again, when there were only 28 professional teams between the NBA and ABA. The Big Train hit the Bluff, and in his first year the team went 20-5. The highest AP ranking for these four seasons are as follows 8th, 7th, 8th and 20th. Pretty impressive and the rest is history. The blog on the five best players got me to thinking where is the mention of players that I grew up watching and hooked me as a Dukes fan. That era began in 1968-1969 season while I was in grade school and for the next three seasons afterward. Their record was 21-5 losing to North Carolina in regional semifinals by 1. The following year was a bit of disappointment, record of 17-7 and all five starters got drafted. The following season they went 21-4 and could not go dancing because of the Roddy incident. Four of the five staters were from the previous season, with Mike Barr replacing Billy Zoph at the point. Therefore all five starters were drafted again, when there were only 28 professional teams between the NBA and ABA. The Big Train hit the Bluff, and in his first year the team went 20-5. The highest AP ranking for these four seasons are as follows 8th, 7th, 8th and 20th. Pretty impressive and the rest is history. You've got it a bit twisted. The 1969-70 team was the disappointment. The only major loss from that team was Bill Zopf. Jarrett, Mickey, and the Nelsons were all back for 70-71. The team went 21-4, and lost to an undefeated Penn team in the NCAAs down in Morgantown. This was the Penn team led by Corky Calhoun, Bob Morse (who killed the Dukes), Dave Wohl, and Steve Bilsky, and was coached by Dick Harter. This was the Penn team that famously lost to a Villanova team they had already beaten, by a stunning 90-47 score in the Eastern Regional Final. The Dave Roddy team was the 71-72 squad that was ruined by transfers, and by that bum Sonny Vacarro. Put Mickey Davis, and Ed Searcy on that team, and it's a top 5 squad that would have had a chance to reach the Final Four. I got hooked a little earlier but very close to the same time, when my dad took me to a game at the Civic arena, for a Sunday afternoon matchup with highly ranked Villanova. The arena was packed and we sat pretty far up in the cheap seats. I recall that their star and future Draftee of the Pipers/Condors Howard Porter was injured coming into that game. The Dukes still had Gary Major and Willie Hines on that team, but also had Billie Zopf and Moe Barr, as I recall. The Dukes won easily as Nova was lost without Porter. For me it was a snowy night at the Pitt Field House in February 1960. Number 1, Cincinnati, came to play Duquesne. They had Oscar Robertson, but had been beaten the last game by Chet Walker's Bradley team. Duquesne did not have a good team but held Oscar to 13 points. Duquesne was in the game all the way but never got to the lead. I think they lost 66-61 or 64-61. Duquesne had Benec, Strom, Stromple, Slobodnick, Arnold, Twyman, and Red Manning. Help was on the way. There were two kids from Farrell that would join the team the next season, somerset and Kudelko.. The blog on the five best players got me to thinking where is the mention of players that I grew up watching and hooked me as a Dukes fan. That era began in 1968-1969 season while I was in grade school and for the next three seasons afterward. Their record was 21-5 losing to North Carolina in regional semifinals by 1. The following year was a bit of disappointment, record of 17-7 and all five starters got drafted. The following season they went 21-4 and could not go dancing because of the Roddy incident. Four of the five staters were from the previous season, with Mike Barr replacing Billy Zoph at the point. Therefore all five starters were drafted again, when there were only 28 professional teams between the NBA and ABA. The Big Train hit the Bluff, and in his first year the team went 20-5. The highest AP ranking for these four seasons are as follows 8th, 7th, 8th and 20th. Pretty impressive and the rest is history. You've got it a bit twisted. The 1969-70 team was the disappointment. The only major loss from that team was Bill Zopf. Jarrett, Mickey, and the Nelsons were all back for 70-71. The team went 21-4, and lost to an undefeated Penn team in the NCAAs down in Morgantown. This was the Penn team led by Corky Calhoun, Bob Morse (who killed the Dukes), Dave Wohl, and Steve Bilsky, and was coached by Dick Harter. This was the Penn team that famously lost to a Villanova team they had already beaten, by a stunning 90-47 score in the Eastern Regional Final. The Dave Roddy team was the 71-72 squad that was ruined by transfers, and by that bum Sonny Vacarro. Put Mickey Davis, and Ed Searcy on that team, and it's a top 5 squad that would have had a chance to reach the Final Four. Would love to know the back ground on the Sonny Vacarro impacts. What happened? The Durham / Nelson teams were it for me. Late 80s/early 90s going to games with my Dad. The teams weren’t very good but it’s something dad and I did together (and still find time to do now and again) and that’s why I love basketball, love Duquesne, ended up going there, met my wife, had our kiddo (for those of you who know, she’s doing well, is one year old tomorrow, and and gets a little stronger every day) - - because dad took me to games. Last edited by Face (5/23/2019 7:40 pm) for those of you who know, she’s doing well, is one year old tomorrow, and and gets a little stronger every day Glad to hear that! The blog on the five best players got me to thinking where is the mention of players that I grew up watching and hooked me as a Dukes fan. That era began in 1968-1969 season while I was in grade school and for the next three seasons afterward. Their record was 21-5 losing to North Carolina in regional semifinals by 1. The following year was a bit of disappointment, record of 17-7 and all five starters got drafted. The following season they went 21-4 and could not go dancing because of the Roddy incident. Four of the five staters were from the previous season, with Mike Barr replacing Billy Zoph at the point. Therefore all five starters were drafted again, when there were only 28 professional teams between the NBA and ABA. The Big Train hit the Bluff, and in his first year the team went 20-5. The highest AP ranking for these four seasons are as follows 8th, 7th, 8th and 20th. Pretty impressive and the rest is history. You've got it a bit twisted. The 1969-70 team was the disappointment. The only major loss from that team was Bill Zopf. Jarrett, Mickey, and the Nelsons were all back for 70-71. The team went 21-4, and lost to an undefeated Penn team in the NCAAs down in Morgantown. This was the Penn team led by Corky Calhoun, Bob Morse (who killed the Dukes), Dave Wohl, and Steve Bilsky, and was coached by Dick Harter. This was the Penn team that famously lost to a Villanova team they had already beaten, by a stunning 90-47 score in the Eastern Regional Final. The Dave Roddy team was the 71-72 squad that was ruined by transfers, and by that bum Sonny Vacarro. Put Mickey Davis, and Ed Searcy on that team, and it's a top 5 squad that would have had a chance to reach the Final Four. Would love to know the back ground on the Sonny Vacarro impacts. What happened? Sonny Vacarro acted as an agent for Mickey Davis, and got him to jump to the Condors for $100,000. He sat on the Condors bench, instead of being the best player on a top 10 team. The decline began right there. I got hooked a little earlier but very close to the same time, when my dad took me to a game at the Civic arena, for a Sunday afternoon matchup with highly ranked Villanova. The arena was packed and we sat pretty far up in the cheap seats. I recall that their star and future Draftee of the Pipers/Condors Howard Porter was injured coming into that game. The Dukes still had Gary Major and Willie Hines on that team, but also had Billie Zopf and Moe Barr, as I recall. The Dukes won easily as Nova was lost without Porter. I got hooked a little earlier but very close to the same time, when my dad took me to a game at the Civic arena, for a Sunday afternoon matchup with highly ranked Villanova. The arena was packed and we sat pretty far up in the cheap seats. I recall that their star and future Draftee of the Pipers/Condors Howard Porter was injured coming into that game. The Dukes still had Gary Major and Willie Hines on that team, but also had Billie Zopf and Moe Barr, as I recall. The Dukes won easily as Nova was lost without Porter. Porter played on the 69, 70, and 71 teams, same as the Nelsons, and Jarrett. Had to be 1969 if Porter was at Nova, since that was Major's senior year. Man, that team had some size with Major, and the Nelsons. Great thread. Late 80s/early 90s going to games with my Dad. The teams weren’t very good but it’s something dad and I did together (and still find time to do now and again) and that’s why I love basketball, love Duquesne, ended up going there, met my wife, had our kiddo (for those of you who know, she’s doing well, is one year old tomorrow, and and gets a little stronger every day) - - because dad took me to games. You're welcome. These games were very special to me too - and later with your younger brother. Like you guys it all started for me with the Nelson's and Jarrett's team circa 1969/70. Another event I'll never forget was taking the bus to the Civic Arena to see the Steel Bowl and regrettably we lost to Pitt and they then lost to UCLA. To this day Gary Nelson still regrets that (we've talked about it) and I believe we would have beaten the Bruins who had Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe etc. The continuation of the Big Train era was also an exciting time to be a fan. Some of the great players I remember seeing were 6'8" Howard Porter of Nova, Kenny Durrett from LaSalle, Bob Lanier at the Bonnies (memory serves me Big Bob was on the cover of Sports Illustrated) and Bad News Marvin Barnes and Ernie D at Providence. Of course, given my moniker, you guys know who I loved the most - the skinny kid at LSU!!!! I also remember and still have the iconic Sports Illustrated cover that shows Sidney Wicks blocking Artis Gilmore's shot a foot above the backboard. Wow. I was hoping that Jacksonville team, who I think also had the kid from Schenley (guard, I forget his name) and another 7 footer (Pembrook Burrows), would beat UCLA - who I hated. Oh my, I'm getting old, but those are all good memories and as Bran (GOT) said memories are what we have and live for. Amen. Pistol out. The kid from Schenley was Ricky Coleman, he wrecked his knee terribly and did not play that season. His final season at Jacksonville was 1974-1975 and he averaged 21.2 per game. Late 80s/early 90s going to games with my Dad. The teams weren’t very good but it’s something dad and I did together (and still find time to do now and again) and that’s why I love basketball, love Duquesne, ended up going there, met my wife, had our kiddo (for those of you who know, she’s doing well, is one year old tomorrow, and and gets a little stronger every day) - - because dad took me to games. You're welcome. These games were very special to me too - and later with your younger brother. Serves you all right, says I. God bless! I was a student on campus from 66 - 71 undergrad through grad school (MA Economics). My freshman year the Dukes had a losing season with guys like Rich Carlberg, Gary Majors, Ron Guziak, Moe Barr, and the gunner Bill Reilly. The following year was the beginning of the turn around. The Dukes were 18 - 7 (had to look it up) led by Moe Barr, Ron Guziak and Bill Zoph. If I were to pick my favorite player it would be Zoph. He was a classmate and we had several classes together. The following year 1968 - 69 was the basketball highlight of my years at DU. That season the Nelson Twins and Jarrett made their debut. The Dukes were 21-5 (did not have to look it up) and lost in the NCAA Regional Semifinal. The Dukes ended the season ranked 9th. The following season was somewhat of a letdown as expectations were very high. But the Dukes bounced back in 1970 -71 season going 21-4 led by Micky Davis, Jarrett and the Nelson twins. The Dukes lost in the NCAA first round and finished the season ranked 15. Sadly it was the last time they ended the season as a ranked team. Late 80s/early 90s going to games with my Dad. The teams weren’t very good but it’s something dad and I did together (and still find time to do now and again) and that’s why I love basketball, love Duquesne, ended up going there, met my wife, had our kiddo (for those of you who know, she’s doing well, is one year old tomorrow, and and gets a little stronger every day) - - because dad took me to games. The order was the opposite for me. I picked the university, then became a fan of the team. The teams were still terrible though. I was there for the end of the Darrelle Porter years and beginning of Danny Nee. I was naive enough to think the program was turning a corner under Nee. Three games stick out in my memory, all losses of course. Last edited by luckymcd (5/24/2019 10:19 am) The era would be early 90s, cause I was on campus then. Me along with my dad moving me into St Ann's and we see (I think)Ricky Lopes on the elevator, would thought my dad saw Bill Russell, he never saw anyone that tall before....me neither! The kid from Schenley was Ricky Coleman, he wrecked his knee terribly and did not play that season. His final season at Jacksonville was 1974-1975 and he averaged 21.2 per game. Coleman indeed played at Jacksonville, and had a serious knee injury, but the UCLA/Jacksonville title game was in 1970. Ricky Colman was the point guard on the 1971 Schenley team that took the State Championship, so he'd have only been a junior in high school when Jacksonville played UCLA. I was a student on campus from 66 - 71 undergrad through grad school (MA Economics). My freshman year the Dukes had a losing season with guys like Rich Carlberg, Gary Majors, Ron Guziak, Moe Barr, and the gunner Bill Reilly. The following year was the beginning of the turn around. The Dukes were 18 - 7 (had to look it up) led by Moe Barr, Ron Guziak and Bill Zoph. If I were to pick my favorite player it would be Zoph. He was a classmate and we had several classes together. The following year 1968 - 69 was the basketball highlight of my years at DU. That season the Nelson Twins and Jarrett made their debut. The Dukes were 21-5 (did not have to look it up) and lost in the NCAA Regional Semifinal. The Dukes ended the season ranked 9th. The following season was somewhat of a letdown as expectations were very high. But the Dukes bounced back in 1970 -71 season going 21-4 led by Micky Davis, Jarrett and the Nelson twins. The Dukes lost in the NCAA first round and finished the season ranked 15. Sadly it was the last time they ended the season as a ranked team. Can you remember the Dukes being picked high in the preseason SI issue in the fall of 1969? With that Top 10 finish the previous spring, and the core of the team having 2 more years, it really looked like a return to the early-mid 50s, but we didn't quite reach that level, although it was still a very good run, one we'd kill for today. Here it is! I dream of returning to those heights. Here it is! I dream of returning to those heights. Great find, duq81, and a great read. I forgot about Perry Johnson being part of that team. It was also interesting to see the mix of schools represented in the Top 20. The kid from Schenley was Ricky Coleman, he wrecked his knee terribly and did not play that season. His final season at Jacksonville was 1974-1975 and he averaged 21.2 per game. Coleman indeed played at Jacksonville, and had a serious knee injury, but the UCLA/Jacksonville title game was in 1970. Ricky Colman was the point guard on the 1971 Schenley team that took the State Championship, so he'd have only been a junior in high school when Jacksonville played UCLA. The kid from Schenley was Ricky Coleman, he wrecked his knee terribly and did not play that season. His final season at Jacksonville was 1974-1975 and he averaged 21.2 per game. Coleman indeed played at Jacksonville, and had a serious knee injury, but the UCLA/Jacksonville title game was in 1970. Ricky Colman was the point guard on the 1971 Schenley team that took the State Championship, so he'd have only been a junior in high school when Jacksonville played UCLA. Sorry on the Coleman thing. I quoted you, but meant to quote another poster that put Coleman on the team that played UCLA. As for the 69-70 team, it was the statement that 5 starters got drafted that threw me off. I thought you were saying that all 5 starters got drafted after that season. You must have meant they all eventually got drafted as that was not a senior dominated team.
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Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
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Wildwood13 wrote:
By the way, that's the era that got me hooked as well.
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duq81 wrote:Wildwood13 wrote:
By the way, that's the era that got me hooked as well.
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Thanks Dad!
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Face wrote:
God gives children with special needs to parents with special abilities.
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Box & One wrote:duq81 wrote:Wildwood13 wrote:
By the way, that's the era that got me hooked as well.
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levon1975 wrote:
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Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
I was smitten with Petrarca's game early but Pipkins made me the tortured fan I am today.
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Face wrote:
Thanks Dad!
And I agree with VBC (thanks JW) - you and Lauren are very special parents. Happy birthday Grace!
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•
Thread Starter
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Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
Mulder wrote:Face wrote:
Thanks Dad!
And I agree with VBC (thanks JW) - you and Lauren are very special parents. Happy birthday Grace!
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Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
As some of the guys on this board who were students at that time know, there was a very close bond between the students and the players. A lot of the players would come to our parties, or just hang out in front of the Dorms and just bs. Mossie was a frequent visitor on campus and he could tell some stories. There were some basketball players that were real characters (in a good way). Not big in the record books but great guys like Bubba Reid, Al Kanaan, Larry Abraham, Pete Kuyulk, and Walt Zinn. All good guys.
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Face wrote:
Thanks Dad!
2001 against George Washington. The game was on ESPN, which ironically meant people actually showed up. I don't know if it was quite a sellout, but Palumbo was packed for a change. Especially rare in my years was a full student section, but it was for this game. Now I have no idea if there was any factual basis for it, but one of the students had a sign about GW's star SirValient Brown only having one nut. The sign got taken away, but that just started the chants. Any time he had the ball a "one nut" chant would start. It angered him enough that there just may have been some truth to it. Unfortunately he was a good enough player that angering him was not a good idea. He went off for like 30 points, hit a game winning layup, and then ran off the court flipping off the student section (I don't remember any references to the Red & Blue Crew in my years).
2003 vs. Xavier. Xavier came into Palumbo with their most talented team, ranked in the top 10 and running roughshod over the conference. We played them even the whole way and actually led by 3 with like 20 seconds left. The student section was it's typical smattering here and there for most of the game but coming out of the timeout the front row was shoulder to shoulder and we were preparing to rush the court. David West made an and one to silence the crowd as we felt the expected gloom setting in, but he missed the foul shot. Xavier got the rebound, but then we got a steal. A hush fell over the Palumbo Center again as we went to the line, but only made one. We rose to our feet again still hoping to rush the floor. Of course Xavier went to West again. He missed, but they got a tip in to send it to overtime. We hung with them in overtime too, but trailed by 2 with 20 seconds left. Xavier had two foul shots to try to seal the deal, but missed both. Jimmy Tricco missed a 3 and then we missed what must have been five layups and tip attempts. Finally West pulled down the rebound as time expired.
Pitt in 2003. This was not only our first home game vs. Pitt in many years, but also the first time the City Game wasn't played over Christmas or Thanksgiving break in a long time. It was bizarre to see a Duquesne game be the hottest ticket in town; and scalpers selling tickets on campus is something I had never seen before and still haven't again since. Pitt had a young team, so they weren't highly ranked to start the season, but would finish in the top 10. The sellout crowd rallied the Dukes and we actually led at the half. Pitt went on a big run to start the second half to put us away. We may have only lost by 10 or so because it was a low scoring game, but it was never really competitive after that.
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Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
I was lucky enough to see good A10 teams/players, some good DU teams(NIT team), Alston, Pipkins, etc., and some good crowds that made noise and had fun.
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Wildwood13 wrote:
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CLK wrote:
As some of the guys on this board who were students at that time know, there was a very close bond between the students and the players. A lot of the players would come to our parties, or just hang out in front of the Dorms and just bs. Mossie was a frequent visitor on campus and he could tell some stories. There were some basketball players that were real characters (in a good way). Not big in the record books but great guys like Bubba Reid, Al Kanaan, Larry Abraham, Pete Kuyulk, and Walt Zinn. All good guys.
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Online!
Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
duq81 wrote:
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duq81 wrote:Wildwood13 wrote:
Duq 81, as I have stated previously, your knowledge of Duquesne basketball is outstanding. But your propensity to correct people is unprecedented. Please read my thread starter again. You corrected me twice there and this one regarding Ricky Coleman you are reading into what I say and assuming to much. In this one you are assuming that I say Ricky didn't play because of a wrecked knee. I state who it is, that he damaged his knee and his senior year was in 74-75. If you do the math, you would realize there is no way he could play in the 69-70 year as freshman were not eligible and that is a total of six different seasons.
In the thread starter, I say the disappointing season is the year the Dukes go 17-7. For some reason you say I have that twisted. Can't figure out for the life of me want you mean.That would be the year after 68-69 which makes it the 69-70 season.
You corrected me on the 70-71 and 71-72 seasons as to which one was the Roddy incident. One out of three, I expect better of you. Now when you correct people in the future I can no longer take it as the written truth. Happy Holidays enjoy the weekend. •
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Re: Which Era got you hooked as a Dukes fan?
Wildwood13 wrote:duq81 wrote:Wildwood13 wrote:
Duq 81, as I have stated previously, your knowledge of Duquesne basketball is outstanding. But your propensity to correct people is unprecedented. Please read my thread starter again. You corrected me twice there and this one regarding Ricky Coleman you are reading into what I say and assuming to much. In this one you are assuming that I say Ricky didn't play because of a wrecked knee. I state who it is, that he damaged his knee and his senior year was in 74-75. If you do the math, you would realize there is no way he could play in the 69-70 year as freshman were not eligible and that is a total of six different seasons.
In the thread starter, I say the disappointing season is the year the Dukes go 17-7. For some reason you say I have that twisted. Can't figure out for the life of me want you mean.That would be the year after 68-69 which makes it the 69-70 season.
You corrected me on the 70-71 and 71-72 seasons as to which one was the Roddy incident. One out of three, I expect better of you. Now when you correct people in the future I can no longer take it as the written truth. Happy Holidays enjoy the weekend.
I'm a history buff, so sometimes I get carried away about facts. I'll try to be good.
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