dannygopher9100
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In the aftermath of this difficult season it is even more enjoyable to remember a generation ago--- March 16 and March 18, 1990 --time spent at the Richmond Coliseum watching Minnesota beat UTEP and Northern Iowa. (This is dannygopher's father. Danny was born ten years later.)
I was there with about 300 Minnesota fans who watched Coffey, Burton, Shik et al battle through two tough games. The UTEP game was excruciating as we struggled against their zone. (Look at our point totals for the year as UTEP slowed the game down against our highly productive offense.). I have a recollection the legendary Don Haskins my have been suffering from a health issue and Norm Ellenberger coached UTEP against, of course, our Clem Haskins. I also remember that former Gopher Marlon (sp?) Maxey (sp?) rebounded effectively against the Gophers in the game. I seem to recall that Melvin Newbern was injured at one point and we held our collective breath until he returned to the game. Somebody (Newbern?) hit a clutch three in the overtime as the shot clock was winding down near the one-minute mark of the overtime to create some separation in the eventual 64-61 victory. I recall our conversation as we walked outside of the arena after the game that, perhaps, this NCAA tourney near-basketball-death experience would provide the team with greater momentum and confidence.
The tension of the UTEP game had been elevated due to the upset win of Northern Iowa (Eldon Miller was the coach) over Missouri and Coach Norm Stewart by a hot, three-point shooting Panthers' team. The path to the Sweet 16 was open with Missouri eliminated. (Fans may remember that Eldon Miller effectively lost his job at Ohio State when Minnesota and the 1986 version of the "Iron Five" beat the Buckeyes at Williams Arena, the game after the Northwestern forfeit following the Madison incident.). Everyone at the arena--save the Missouri fans--were rooting for Northern Iowa against Missouri.
The two days of tourney play were a basketball extravaganza. Syracuse was in Richmond with a younger Jim Boeheim and their two NBA first round draft victims--future victims of Minnesota in the "Sweet Sixteen." Terry Holland--who had announced his retirement at the end of the 1990 season--coached his last game on March 18 when Syracuse beat Virginia. There was a huge ticket demand for tickets in the 12,000 seat Richmond Arena for the Sunday session with the Minnesota-Northern Iowa game being the later game and the undercard for the Boeheim-Holland match-up. That said, both Minnesota and Northern Iowa shot "the lights out" in the night cap in an exciting victory with Willie Burton scoring 36 (?) points. Strangely, the margin of victory was the same in the UTEP and Northern Iowa games but I never believed the latter game was in doubt due its faster pace. Sorry about the length of this post--it's my way of cleansing our basketball palette after our long season. Keep the faith in Pitino--better days lie ahead.
I was there with about 300 Minnesota fans who watched Coffey, Burton, Shik et al battle through two tough games. The UTEP game was excruciating as we struggled against their zone. (Look at our point totals for the year as UTEP slowed the game down against our highly productive offense.). I have a recollection the legendary Don Haskins my have been suffering from a health issue and Norm Ellenberger coached UTEP against, of course, our Clem Haskins. I also remember that former Gopher Marlon (sp?) Maxey (sp?) rebounded effectively against the Gophers in the game. I seem to recall that Melvin Newbern was injured at one point and we held our collective breath until he returned to the game. Somebody (Newbern?) hit a clutch three in the overtime as the shot clock was winding down near the one-minute mark of the overtime to create some separation in the eventual 64-61 victory. I recall our conversation as we walked outside of the arena after the game that, perhaps, this NCAA tourney near-basketball-death experience would provide the team with greater momentum and confidence.
The tension of the UTEP game had been elevated due to the upset win of Northern Iowa (Eldon Miller was the coach) over Missouri and Coach Norm Stewart by a hot, three-point shooting Panthers' team. The path to the Sweet 16 was open with Missouri eliminated. (Fans may remember that Eldon Miller effectively lost his job at Ohio State when Minnesota and the 1986 version of the "Iron Five" beat the Buckeyes at Williams Arena, the game after the Northwestern forfeit following the Madison incident.). Everyone at the arena--save the Missouri fans--were rooting for Northern Iowa against Missouri.
The two days of tourney play were a basketball extravaganza. Syracuse was in Richmond with a younger Jim Boeheim and their two NBA first round draft victims--future victims of Minnesota in the "Sweet Sixteen." Terry Holland--who had announced his retirement at the end of the 1990 season--coached his last game on March 18 when Syracuse beat Virginia. There was a huge ticket demand for tickets in the 12,000 seat Richmond Arena for the Sunday session with the Minnesota-Northern Iowa game being the later game and the undercard for the Boeheim-Holland match-up. That said, both Minnesota and Northern Iowa shot "the lights out" in the night cap in an exciting victory with Willie Burton scoring 36 (?) points. Strangely, the margin of victory was the same in the UTEP and Northern Iowa games but I never believed the latter game was in doubt due its faster pace. Sorry about the length of this post--it's my way of cleansing our basketball palette after our long season. Keep the faith in Pitino--better days lie ahead.
