Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2022 10:32:50 GMT -6
The 1971 hold-your-breath Western Kentucky Hilltoppers scurried out of Athens and charged into the Astrodome for the Final Four.
On hand to greet them: Villanova and the fabled Howard Porter.
The Hills had 6-foot-10 Jim McDaniels, who'd not go to WKU if he played today but in those days, why not?
Western had snuffed out Ohio State to make the Finals and the world that wasn't cheering for Villanova, UCLA or Kansas was rooting for Big Mac, Clarence Glover, Jerry Dunn and Jim Rose.
Alas, a 2-overtime 92-89 loss to 'Nova crushed the grape and sent WKU back to Park City with a 3rd place finish in the days when the NCAA thought it would be nice for loser to play for a 'consolation' prize. WKU beat Kansas 77-75. A thrill a minute.
The turmoil didn't end after McDaniels went pro. He had apparently signed an agent in the days when the ABA and the NBA were coveting each other's candy. That was a no-no and the national organization vacated Western's 3rd place parking lot permit and told them to pay back their $60,000 tournament prize. Quite unfair, actually. John Oldham left the coaching seat after the season.
Howard Porter, for his part in the pro players grab-for-talent, had also signed a contract somehow amid a rule saying he wasn't supposed to do that. Porter had been designated MVP of the Final Four. Both he and McDaniels had to give back their all-tournament team trophies.
Porter and McDaniels have both passed on.
UE won its own national title that year, if you want to compare notes.
On hand to greet them: Villanova and the fabled Howard Porter.
The Hills had 6-foot-10 Jim McDaniels, who'd not go to WKU if he played today but in those days, why not?
Western had snuffed out Ohio State to make the Finals and the world that wasn't cheering for Villanova, UCLA or Kansas was rooting for Big Mac, Clarence Glover, Jerry Dunn and Jim Rose.
Alas, a 2-overtime 92-89 loss to 'Nova crushed the grape and sent WKU back to Park City with a 3rd place finish in the days when the NCAA thought it would be nice for loser to play for a 'consolation' prize. WKU beat Kansas 77-75. A thrill a minute.
The turmoil didn't end after McDaniels went pro. He had apparently signed an agent in the days when the ABA and the NBA were coveting each other's candy. That was a no-no and the national organization vacated Western's 3rd place parking lot permit and told them to pay back their $60,000 tournament prize. Quite unfair, actually. John Oldham left the coaching seat after the season.
Howard Porter, for his part in the pro players grab-for-talent, had also signed a contract somehow amid a rule saying he wasn't supposed to do that. Porter had been designated MVP of the Final Four. Both he and McDaniels had to give back their all-tournament team trophies.
Porter and McDaniels have both passed on.
UE won its own national title that year, if you want to compare notes.