Catskill
Freshman
Posts: 9
Age: 74
Reg: 03-13-18
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03-16-18 03:04 PM - Post#253440
In the preview for the Big 5 before the 71-72 season, the Philly beat writer wrote that 3 years ago we were asking if Penn could possibly win with these small guards. Now we are asking if Penn can win without them.
I don't pretend Darnell is in their class, but the comparison to this year with him and next year without him is interesting.
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OldBig5
Masters Student
Posts: 639
Age: 66
Reg: 02-18-18
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03-16-18 09:14 PM - Post#253518
In response to Catskill
I remember that well. And if anyone recalls they went with a college lineup that was so tall it was really unheard of at the time. Alan Cotler at PG and basically four front court guys: Hankinson, Littelpage, Morse and Calhoun. So a lineup of 5 guys between 6'5" and 6'8". They were vulnerable but it worked out OK as they made it to the regional final. Gave UNC a good game.
Of course nowadays the trend is to go with 3 or 4 guards--but the guards are usually 6'3 and above. The times they have changed.
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UPIA1968
PhD Student
Posts: 1120
Loc: Cornwall, PA
Reg: 11-20-06
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-16-18 09:35 PM - Post#253529
In response to OldBig5
My memory tells me that Penn was favored against UNC and played poorly. Of course having Bobby Jones play defense for you really helps.
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OldBig5
Masters Student
Posts: 639
Age: 66
Reg: 02-18-18
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-16-18 09:38 PM - Post#253531
In response to UPIA1968
Not sure. The game was down in NC I believe. A great run for those guys. The bitter failure against Villanova the prior year still lingers. To this day I can't believe that happened.
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SteveChop
PhD Student
Posts: 1154
Reg: 07-28-07
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-16-18 09:53 PM - Post#253537
In response to UPIA1968
Don't remember who was favored though I don't think it would have been a wide spread - they were pretty evenly matched. It was Bob McAdoo, more than Jones, who really did the Quakers in that day.
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73Quaker
Freshman
Posts: 61
Loc: NC
Reg: 03-12-09
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-17-18 03:21 PM - Post#253626
In response to SteveChop
Eastern Regional final was in Morgantown, W.VA. UNC was the ACC champion in 1972, Bobby Jones was the Tarheels' 6th man and George Karl was a starting guard. UNC was the clear favorite, looking to get to the Final Four to take on UCLA, with their rookie center one Bill Walton. Unfortunately the Tarheels lost to Florida St. in the semis.
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OldBig5
Masters Student
Posts: 639
Age: 66
Reg: 02-18-18
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-17-18 05:08 PM - Post#253633
In response to 73Quaker
Thanks for that update. I remember Macadoo.
So it was in WV? Not NC as I misremembered,
Everyone liked to think they had a chance against UCLA during those years but it never worked out. The Providence team with Ernie D and Marvin Barnes probably had the best chance without the injuries.
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SteveChop
PhD Student
Posts: 1154
Reg: 07-28-07
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-17-18 05:16 PM - Post#253636
In response to OldBig5
Funny you should mention the Providence team with Barnes and DiGregorio. Just this morning, I was speaking with a friend about that Providence team and he was recalling how Penn beat them with Corky Calhoun guarding Barnes in the first half and, because Ernie D was killing us, guarded Ernie D in the second half. Not too many people other than Corky could guard such disparate players.
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OldBig5
Masters Student
Posts: 639
Age: 66
Reg: 02-18-18
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-17-18 05:21 PM - Post#253640
In response to SteveChop
Corky was my favorite player. Or was it Bobby Morse?
I have to admit I don't remember them playing Providence. Was that in the tourney?
The game that sticks out to me was beating USC with Paul Westphal in the Kodak Classic. USC basically always finished second to UCLA and of course no tourney for them in those days.
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13otto
Masters Student
Posts: 779
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
Reg: 11-22-04
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-18-18 01:35 AM - Post#253661
In response to OldBig5
The Providence game, a 76-60 Penn win, was the first round of the NCAA Tournament, played in Jamaica, N.Y. (St. John's).
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penn64
Freshman
Posts: 47
Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
Reg: 11-24-04
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03-18-18 03:56 AM - Post#253663
In response to 13otto
We followed the Providence win with a revenge victory over Villanova. As I recall the key UNC player was a forward, Bill ( I think) Chamberlin. He was tall and way too quick for us. Providence got their revenge the following year in the Regionals in (I think) Charlotte. We then lost the consolation to Syracuse.
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penn64
Freshman
Posts: 47
Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
Reg: 11-24-04
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03-18-18 04:06 AM - Post#253664
In response to penn64
I was wrong. I checked the box score and it was McAdoo, Karl and Wycick who did us in. Chamberlin played but only has 6 pts. 73-59 final. It might have been in the first round when he impressed me.
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13otto
Masters Student
Posts: 779
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
Reg: 11-22-04
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03-18-18 09:20 AM - Post#253676
In response to penn64
I was wrong. I checked the box score and it was McAdoo, Karl and Wycick who did us in. Chamberlin played but only has 6 pts. 73-59 final. It might have been in the first round when he impressed me.
You were not wrong about Bill Chamberlain. His defensive performance covering Calhoun stood out as he limited Corky to just 7 points.
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10Q
Professor
Posts: 23360
Loc: Suburban Philly
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-18-18 09:38 AM - Post#253677
In response to 73Quaker
Dave Cowens
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13otto
Masters Student
Posts: 779
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
Reg: 11-22-04
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Re: Post whol & bilsky 03-18-18 10:27 AM - Post#253682
In response to 10Q
Dave Cowens
Cowens was already in his second year with the Celtics in 1972.
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Catskill
Freshman
Posts: 9
Age: 74
Reg: 03-13-18
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03-19-18 05:06 PM - Post#253837
In response to OldBig5
This lineup led to two of my favorite Palestra moments, both in the Princeton game at the Palestra. First, the ball was inbounded to Cotler who proceeded to put the ball under his arm and walk up the floor. It was so odd, it took the ref 5 seconds to call a walk. Later, Littlepage, instead of passing the ball to inbound it, just dribbled in from out of bounds.
But we won, to avenge a loss up there caused I think by a few Reggie Bird steals.
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SteveChop
PhD Student
Posts: 1154
Reg: 07-28-07
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03-19-18 05:18 PM - Post#253839
In response to Catskill
Cotler denied that play for a number of years. Then, finally, film/tape was found of it and he had no choice but to admit that it DID happen.
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penn64
Freshman
Posts: 47
Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
Reg: 11-24-04
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03-19-18 06:32 PM - Post#253843
In response to SteveChop
Thanks 13otto. I thought Chamberlain's play was significant, just didn't remember the specifics.
I also thought it was Cotler, not 'Page who instead of inbounding the ball, just dribbled up the floor. But it's more than 45 years ago, so I'm just glad we are all still able to remember bits and pieces of when the quality of Penn basketball was at an all-time high.
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