(05-09-2023 01:04 PM)jammaster Wrote:  Some of my fondest memories from college are Tigers-Louisville games at the Mid South Coliseum in the 80's. Wish there was a way to keep this rivalry going. Crum certainly was fun to root against, and he absolutely deserved every honor that came his way.

RIP

Totally agree. Great games, great rivalry.

Feels like the only true rival that were really ever had, that the national media recognized, we really haven't ever had that again with anyone. I don't consider OM or UT rivals and maybe the closest thing after Louisville was Cincy because of the number of games and some were very important.

(05-10-2023 02:00 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  The Memphis State vs. Louisville were the top rivalry games in all of college basketball back in the 80's. It was fun watching Crum and Kirk go at each other.

In 1980, before Keith Lee got here, Denny Crum and Louisville used to mop the floor with us.

I remember one game in Freedom Hall, Darrell Griffith (maybe the most underrated college player of all time) stole the ball from us and pulled off a 360 dunk. I think that might have been the first time I ever saw one. Dr. Dunkenstien indeed! I think they won by like 30.

RIP Coach Crum

(05-09-2023 06:50 PM)Keeper Wrote:  When my son was just a tyke (he is now 50) we had season tickets in the row behind the visitor's bench in the roundhouse. My favorite chant in those days was "Sit down Denny".

Wow! You are so clever. Who else might have thought the blaze those trailblazer type of words to an opposing coach. The Byrd brothers could learn a lot from you.

(05-10-2023 02:00 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  The Memphis State vs. Louisville were the top rivalry games in all of college basketball back in the 80's. It was fun watching Crum and Kirk go at each other.

Yeah it was

(05-09-2023 01:26 PM)holyterror Wrote:  In memory of Big Jack Eaton, I have composed a poem.

We never faced a fiercer foe,
We often told you where to go.
But time has passed and now we know
You really were a decent Joe.

You led some really special kids.
We didn't hate you-okay, we did,
When we played each other for a bid.
It's a shame your school has hit the skids.

So rest in peace, Coach Denny Crum,
Despised by many, loved by some,
Respected by all who weren't dumb,
We know today you're not a bum.

Well done. As someone else noted, it would make Big Jack proud.

(05-10-2023 08:51 AM)tiger86 Wrote:  

(05-10-2023 02:00 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  The Memphis State vs. Louisville were the top rivalry games in all of college basketball back in the 80's. It was fun watching Crum and Kirk go at each other.

In 1980, before Keith Lee got here, Denny Crum and Louisville used to mop the floor with us.

I remember one game in Freedom Hall, Darrell Griffith (maybe the most underrated college player of all time) stole the ball from us and pulled off a 360 dunk. I think that might have been the first time I ever saw one. Dr. Dunkenstien indeed! I think they won by like 30.

RIP Coach Crum

I am not sure how to read this statement, because prior to 1980, we had the the 1970 - 1973 teams that were certainly competitive on a national scale, and prior to Moe Iba we were quite strong as well.

However, if you are referencing only results in 1980, you may well be correct.

1972, played Louisville twice, beat Louisville twice. Only conference champs got NCAA bids. No conference tournaments. Same record. Played ‘tiebreaker’ game in Vanderbilt’s gym. We lost.

(05-10-2023 03:47 PM)UofMark Wrote:  1972, played Louisville twice, beat Louisville twice. Only conference champs got NCAA bids. No conference tournaments. Same record. Played ‘tiebreaker’ game in Vanderbilt’s gym. We lost.

Yep---I was there

(05-10-2023 03:05 PM)bbqtiger Wrote:  

(05-09-2023 01:26 PM)holyterror Wrote:  In memory of Big Jack Eaton, I have composed a poem.

We never faced a fiercer foe,
We often told you where to go.
But time has passed and now we know
You really were a decent Joe.

You led some really special kids.
We didn't hate you-okay, we did,
When we played each other for a bid.
It's a shame your school has hit the skids.

So rest in peace, Coach Denny Crum,
Despised by many, loved by some,
Respected by all who weren't dumb,
We know today you're not a bum.

Well done. As someone else noted, it would make Big Jack proud.

Thank you.

Mixed emotions for sure. I booed him and hated him with every fiber of my being since he was the Cards coach. But the man was a good coach and deserves every accolade he received in life and in passing. RIP Coach Crum.

(05-10-2023 03:47 PM)UofMark Wrote:  1972, played Louisville twice, beat Louisville twice. Only conference champs got NCAA bids. No conference tournaments. Same record. Played ‘tiebreaker’ game in Vanderbilt’s gym. We lost.

I think this is where the rivalry really got juiced. I thought it was 1971 though, Denny's first year.

Cards went on to the Final Four losing to UCLA.

So Memphis was easily good enough to do the same.

How crappy, to not have a head-to-head tiebreaker for conference champ? Especially in the era of only conference champ gets to go to the postseason.

(05-10-2023 07:46 AM)ZachMan Wrote:  Feels like the only true rival that were really ever had, that the national media recognized, we really haven't ever had that again with anyone. I don't consider OM or UT rivals and maybe the closest thing after Louisville was Cincy because of the number of games and some were very important.

I can relate to this. Back in the 80's, which I would argue was the golden age of college basketball, both Memphis St and Louisville were nationally relevant. Which obviously added to the rivalry. Back then Cincy was struggle-bus.

Playing Memphis was special.

Glory days, huh?

Ahh ...

(05-10-2023 07:42 PM)Pervis_Griffith Wrote:  

(05-10-2023 07:46 AM)ZachMan Wrote:  Feels like the only true rival that were really ever had, that the national media recognized, we really haven't ever had that again with anyone. I don't consider OM or UT rivals and maybe the closest thing after Louisville was Cincy because of the number of games and some were very important.

I can relate to this. Back in the 80's, which I would argue was the golden age of college basketball, both Memphis St and Louisville were nationally relevant. Which obviously added to the rivalry. Back then Cincy was struggle-bus.

Playing Memphis was special.

Glory days, huh?

Ahh ...

Agree.

RIP coach.

Joe B Hall took over dolph krump and Denny was to replace wooden. Denny should have been given the ucla job but he did fine at Lewisville R.I.P. Coach loved playing your teams. Job well done

You wanna understand the importance of one man to a program? Look no further than Louisville and their current state.

RIP Denny Crum! This one makes my stomach sink. A true legend.

(05-10-2023 10:57 PM)memphisike Wrote:  Joe B Hall took over dolph krump and Denny was to replace wooden. Denny should have been given the ucla job but he did fine at Lewisville R.I.P. Coach loved playing your teams. Job well done

Crum was smart not taking UCLA. Look at what happened to Bartow and many others. You could argue they STILL are delusional. Howland went to 3 straight final fours and got run outta town. Wonder how long before they get rid of Cronin ?

(05-11-2023 08:17 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  You wanna understand the importance of one man to a program? Look no further than Louisville and their current state.

RIP Denny Crum! This one makes my stomach sink. A true legend.

Well they did pretty good with Pitino. Crum got away with many of the stuff Pitino got in trouble with imo. Joining the ACC hurt Louisville just like it did Syracuse, BC, Pitt etc.. But it’s all about chasing the football money. I despise college football for what it’s done to college basketball. We should be in an all sports conference with Louisville , Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Florida State. It sucks now all the way around

(05-10-2023 08:51 AM)tiger86 Wrote:  

(05-10-2023 02:00 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  The Memphis State vs. Louisville were the top rivalry games in all of college basketball back in the 80's. It was fun watching Crum and Kirk go at each other.

In 1980, before Keith Lee got here, Denny Crum and Louisville used to mop the floor with us.

I remember one game in Freedom Hall, Darrell Griffith (maybe the most underrated college player of all time) stole the ball from us and pulled off a 360 dunk. I think that might have been the first time I ever saw one. Dr. Dunkenstien indeed! I think they won by like 30.

RIP Coach Crum

One of my fondest and earliest memories was beating them the year before Keith Lee arrived on campus. They were coming off their championship and had 4 starters back. Of course the one missing was Darrell Griffith! Big OT win for us in the Coliseum! Hank had a double double and Isbell had a big game too. Seems like I remember a big tomahawk dunk right at the end of the game. Fun time in the Roundhouse!

(05-10-2023 03:12 PM)bbqtiger Wrote:  

(05-10-2023 08:51 AM)tiger86 Wrote:  

(05-10-2023 02:00 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  The Memphis State vs. Louisville were the top rivalry games in all of college basketball back in the 80's. It was fun watching Crum and Kirk go at each other.

In 1980, before Keith Lee got here, Denny Crum and Louisville used to mop the floor with us.

I remember one game in Freedom Hall, Darrell Griffith (maybe the most underrated college player of all time) stole the ball from us and pulled off a 360 dunk. I think that might have been the first time I ever saw one. Dr. Dunkenstien indeed! I think they won by like 30.

RIP Coach Crum

I am not sure how to read this statement, because prior to 1980, we had the the 1970 - 1973 teams that were certainly competitive on a national scale, and prior to Moe Iba we were quite strong as well.

However, if you are referencing only results in 1980, you may well be correct.

My apologies. I should have been more clear. Prior to 1980, Louisville led the series record with us something like 40-15, but since 1980, it is basically even (something like 25-25). I looked it up one time to win a bet with a Louisville fan, but I am too lazy to do it again.

That is notwithstanding 1970-1973, when Denny Crum first started coaching at Louisville, and we were nationally relevant due to Coach Bartow. We we were successful against them until Bartow left, Yates got here, and Denny Crum got things really rolling there. Then along came Keith Lee.