JBears
Senior
Posts: 334
Reg: 06-06-12
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07-16-17 07:25 PM - Post#230948
In response to Bruno
Bruno, thanks for posting the link. The Phil Brown era was certainly the most exciting time in Brown hoops. As freshman the team went 18 and 2 and most games weren't close. They averaged over 90 points per game. Arnie Berman was wrapping up his record setting career, and the crowds came early to get a seat for both freshman and varsity games, which often were on the same night at 6:00 and 8:00.
The talent level and speed was nothing ever seen before at Marvel Gym. They were getting so popular that TV10 decided to cover the second half of the freshman game when Providence College came to play for the last time at Marvel Gym. It was also Bermans' last game. The Friars came in with Jr guard Ernie D and soph big man Marvin Barnes. The Gym was packed for the freshman game. The Bears put on a great show for TV during the televised second half. That was a sweep of the Friars for Browns' group. Unbelievable.
The team was loaded with talent. Although he didn't' play varsity ball so he could concentrate on baseball, the team even included Bill Allman, who turned out to be the first pick in the '75 MLB draft. Great athlete.
As sophomores this group had a 19 to 2 lead against Providence at the brand new Providence Civic Center. This was the same Friar team that destroyed Lefy Driesell's self-declared "UCLA of the East" Maryland team in the NCAA Eastern Finals. If not for an injury to Barnes in the first half of their Final Four semi-final, they would have beaten Memphis State and had a re-match with UCLA for the Championship. Some feel the way PC was peaking at the end of the year they may have upset the Bruins. I don't think Walton would have shot 21 of 22 against Barnes as he did vs. Larry Kenon.
Anyway, I never heard such a quiet and frustrated PC crowd. They sat in shocked silence until they rained down boos on the heavily favored home team as they left the court trailing the Bears at halftime. Unfortunately, they caught up to the Bears around 46 to 44. Dave Gavitt made sure they didn't let their foot off the peddle the rest of e game. But it was an incredible effort by Gerry Alaimos' young Bears.
I could go on about this group. It was truely the most exciting four years in Brown Basketball history.
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