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Steve Mitchell = my favorite UAB athlete ever.

All time leading scorer despite the fact that for much of his career, he faced gimmick defenses like box and ones and triangle and twos.

A lot of ex-jocks make terrible color radio guys, but Mitchell is really good. I really enjoy him and Crane together.

(02-15-2013 09:46 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Steve Mitchell = my favorite UAB athlete ever.

All time leading scorer despite the fact that for much of his career, he faced gimmick defenses like box and ones and triangle and twos.

And no 3 point line.

(02-15-2013 09:46 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Steve Mitchell = my favorite UAB athlete ever.

All time leading scorer despite the fact that for much of his career, he faced gimmick defenses like box and ones and triangle and twos.

Didn't have the three point line either and he was a great perimeter shooter. He was a pleasure to watch.

One of my favorite Steve Mitchell memories is Steve beating USA with a buzzer-beater at the BJCC. He goes up for the last shot and the South Al defender strips him. Steve catches the ball in mid jump and still drains the 20+ footer for the win.

Good times.

Before he sold his soul to the bigger conferences, Dick Vitale was a big fan of Mitchell. Called him the most underrated player in America and put him on several of his national lists.

Yep.

(02-15-2013 10:07 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Before he sold his soul to the bigger conferences, Dick Vitale was a big fan of Mitchell. Called him the most underrated player in America and put him on several of his national lists.

Funny story. I called Vitale once to get some quotes on Steve for an All-America brochure we were doing on him. I asked him one question, and he talked for ten minutes straight. Needless to say, I got plenty of good quotes.

One other thing. For those who never had a chance to see Steve play, watch Chris Paul. His game is very similar to Steve's. In fact, I was watching some old game video from the Memphis State game up there in '84 and was struck by how much he reminded me of Paul.

Steve was the ultimate player that you would want on your team.

He distributed the ball very well & when it came down to it he could put it in the basketball without too much trouble himself.

Considering how much he dished the ball off, it is amazing to see him up there in scoring & other offensive categories.

Like it has been mentioned, other teams would run a box and one against him or a triangle and two.

When they run those defenses against you, you know that they have a good idea on which player butters the bread.

And for everything that he did on the court, he has done so much more for UAB off the court.

A very very good representative of the university and the coach that he played for.

(02-15-2013 10:07 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Before he sold his soul to the bigger conferences, Dick Vitale was a big fan of Mitchell. Called him the most underrated player in America and put him on several of his national lists.

I won't hold that against Mitchell.

Don't judge 1980s Dick Vitale by today Vitale

Can you imagine Steve Mitchell and PD3 on the same floor?

Pick your poison.

Did anyone go to the ceremony? I would love to hear about what was said about him and what he said.

In honor of his induction, I am watching the 1985 UAB-Auburn game. Awesome game. Auburn had Chuck Person, Chris Morris and Jeff Moore. It is a huge battle inside with Mincy and Gordon.

BTR says: "Chuck who?"

That was an awesome game! 85-86 was my first year of UAB basketball and only my second year of being interested in college basketball at all. It was a good year to get hooked on the game!

BTR - this is my new response to RTR...