Beating Purdue 1969 | Purple Ace Place

Deleted
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Beating Purdue 1969 Dec 17, 2021 19:39:41 GMT -6 83Ace likes this

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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2021 19:39:41 GMT -6

12-20-1969

The goaltending call was probably a homer job but the outcome was still a MAJOR upset.
The Aces, with 3 sophs on the floor and outsized, beat the Boilermakers 80-78 in front of more than 12K at the Stadium.
Rick Mount did not play for Purdue.

UE was only 2-3 at the time of this game and had already pulled one shocker, a 75-73 last-second upset of ST. Joe PA (on a Layne Holmes tip).

In this one, Don Buse had stolen a pass to set up a final play. With 0:03 left, Jim McKissic passed to John Wellemeyer, who threw up a prayer that Bill Franklin jumped up and caught on the way down.

Goaltending.

Bob Ford and Larry Weatherford were stars for Purdue -- both being Evansville kids. This was a very good Purdue team down the stretch, and they scored a lot of points. The NCAA setup did not make room for them in the 1970 tournament.

Alcindor and UCLA had beaten the Boilers 92-72 the previous March to win their third straight NCAA title.

UE did fairly well over the years against Purdue.

aceschamps6571
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Beating Purdue 1969 Dec 17, 2021 20:51:24 GMT -6

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Post by aceschamps6571 on Dec 17, 2021 20:51:24 GMT -6

I remember getting there with my Dad around 7 pm, or just after, for the 8:00 game. The freshman team had one of their few games against somebody other than the Deuces, ISUE maybe? The place was already filling up.
To get an idea of how big that game was in Evansville, Channel 7, with the talented Jerry Birge announcing, televised a handful of Aces road games live, and a number of home games on tape delay. Because the game was a sellout, and probably because they wanted viewers to watch their telecast, they showed the game live. Meanwhile, Channel 25 was on the Purdue network, and showed their telecast. So 2 of the 3 television stations in Evansville at that time were showing that game. That would be unheard of today.
Maybe it was goaltending, maybe not. I just know my 14 year old self was up making the call a split second before the refs called it.

Last Edit: Dec 17, 2021 20:52:33 GMT -6 by aceschamps6571

stennisrm72
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Beating Purdue 1969 Dec 17, 2021 22:16:29 GMT -6 via mobile acescott likes this

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Post by stennisrm72 on Dec 17, 2021 22:16:29 GMT -6

I was at this game also and remember that last heave pretty vividly. The rules at the time made it a correct call. I think it was not long after the rule was changed to the ball being in the cylinder.

I believe I still have a game program somewhere in my archives.

aceschamps6571
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Beating Purdue 1969 Dec 20, 2021 16:06:38 GMT -6 via mobile E-Villan, stennisrm72, and 1 more like this

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Post by aceschamps6571 on Dec 20, 2021 16:06:38 GMT -6

An interesting coincidence following this game- the next week Purdue played in the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden, one of the premiere holiday tournaments in the country at the time. They played St. Bonaventure, led by a great player, Bob Lanier in the final game of that event.
Meanwhile the Aces hosted their annual holiday tournament, in itself one of the best tournaments that nearly always brought in 3 major college (now Div. I) teams. The Aces played Jacksonville in the final game. Arizona and Fordham were the other 2 teams that year. Jacksonville had the twin towers of Artis Gilmore and Pembrook Burroughs, plus Evansville natives Vaughn Wedeking and Greg Nelson, who had been great players at Harrison, and UE transfer Rex Morgan. The Dolphins were loaded. After playing Jacksonville close for a half, down maybe 4 or so at the half, Jacksonville ended up overpowering the Aces in the 2nd half and wound up winning by 30.
Jacksonville and St. Bonaventure would end up playing each other in the Final Four that season, but unfortunately for the Bonnies, Lanier broke his foot or ankle in the Regional final against Villanova.
I just found it interesting that a week after playing one another, the Aces and Purdue would find themselves playing 2 teams who would eventually meet to see who would play UCLA for the national title.

Last Edit: Dec 20, 2021 16:12:48 GMT -6 by aceschamps6571