Feb. 15. That will be a great day for the 'old timers' (guess that includes a lot who aren't old) who remember the golden age of EMU basketball.

It is FITTING that Boykins and Dial enter together as those two were a great pair, playing their four years together.

Story about Boykins:

I called one of the EMU asst coaches on the first day of the fall signing period (remember there was no Internet back then) and asked about the signees.

He mentioned a 5' 9" (I guess or maybe 5' 8") PG from Cleveland. I had looked him up in the Bob Gibbons report and wasn't impressed. (would be a two star recruit today). I thought 'Why?" Wasted scholarship?

The coach said, "Hey, he can play".

Yep, he could play!!!

Wonderful, can't imagine two more deserving candidates. I believe Dial was a walk on at EMU.

This great!

(10-31-2013 04:44 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Wonderful, can't imagine two more deserving candidates. I believe Dial was a walk on at EMU.

Absolutely.

RE: Dial.

I remember we he signed on with EMU and I tried, but don't think I got an answer, his status. I assume he was a walk-on redshirt. I doubt he was a prop and I'm fairly sure, as '79 suggests, that he was not a scholarship athlete his first year at EMU.

He did redshirt, and joined UBuffalo transfer, Jon Zajac, and Boykins, James Head, Nink, and our center from 'down under' as the best hoops newcomer class in EMU history.

Derrick is maybe my all-time favorite EMU player. He had such great person skills.

Awesome. They were of my generation. I got to know Derrick a little socially. Great guy.

I thought Boykins was already inducted...
Or was that his Jersey being retired a few years ago?

I watched Earl’s final home game at EMU. They got blown out by WMU.

Their final home game was against Toledo in the MAC Tourny. EMU blew them out. Earl and Derrick were pulled at the same time and they kissed the center court "E" as they came off. It was also the final game for Bowen.

A few days earlier EMU beat UT in the final regular season game. Earl won it with a half court buzzer beater.

Then of course both went on to have careers in the NBA. Earl is such an inspiring story, deemed too small to play in the NBA he showed them all its not your physical size but the size of your heart that matters.

(10-31-2013 11:20 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  I watched Earl’s final home game at EMU. They got blown out by WMU.

Actually that is wrong! They beat Toledo. FACT. I was there.

I brought my brother (MSU grad) to that Toledo game and Earl and Derrick were AMAZING. After the game my brother and I looked at each other and said those 2 guys are going to be playing in the NBA.

I went to the media guide and WMU beat EMU by 20 in Ypsilanti.

Then we played UT at home and won the thriller referenced above.

Have fun, history buffs!! (see page 94)

http://www.emueagles.com/custompages/mbb...110512.pdf

EDIT:

2/25/1998 had to be SENIOR DAY vs. UT. The WMU game wasn't senior day.

How else could we have beaten UT on 2/25/1998 in the tourney and then play them AGAIN in the MAC tourney???

(11-01-2013 12:38 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  Their final home game was against Toledo in the MAC Tourny. EMU blew them out. Earl and Derrick were pulled at the same time and they kissed the center court "E" as they came off. It was also the final game for Bowen.

A few days earlier EMU beat UT in the final regular season game. Earl won it with a half court buzzer beater.

I remember this and the EMU media guide indicates as much.

I have details in another post.

I remember Boykins in EMU's huge win over WI. The team opened a very large halftime lead and Boykins did a Curly Neal imitation in the second half playing keep away from the Badgers who chased him all over the court.

Here is Boykins beating Tim Duncan one on one.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=earl...5B30E4DD90

I always thought Derrick Dial was in the same mold as the Thomas twins, a very athletic guy who could shoot, but was also a leaper. I was fortunate enough to see them beat Duke in the NCAA. Dial had a big put back dunk.