BobcatAttack.com - For Fans of Ohio University Sports

Welcome Guest!
Create an Account

site search

about us

advertise with us

help

BobcatAttack.com Message Board

Ohio Basketball

Topic: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Topic: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Author

Message

shabamon
General User

Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 6,861

Status: Online

Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 10:26:04 PM

I read Fran Fraschilla's favorite venues tweet, and a lot of retweets and likes and so forth mentioned the DePaul game in the Convo 80s. It's been mentioned here several times but I don't know anything about it. I don't know if we even won. If you were there, tell me about it. What was DePaul ranked? How was the atmosphere? What happened during the game? Cool highlights?

Roasting Joe
General User

Member Since: 10/17/2015
Location: Chillicothe, OH
Post Count: 59

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 10:54:04 PM

I was there (1983?)! I don't recall DePaul being ranked, I believe Ray Meyer had retired and his son had taken over as coach and the program was in decline. That being said it was a great game and a great high energy crowd. Lots of toilet paper rolls being tossed from up top toward the floor. I know we won in either in either a double or triple overtime. Danny Knee was coaching and it was one of the big home wins while I was going to school.

OUbobcat9092
General User

Member Since: 12/28/2004
Location: Fairfax, VA
Post Count: 1,192

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:05:53 PM

Valentine's Day (2/14/83) vs. a DePaul team that ended up 21-12 on the season, and played in the NIT Final in MSG.
They were coached by Ray Meyer, and led by Tyrone Corbin that year.

Ohio beat DePaul 63-62 IN 2OT

The season prior DePaul had been 26-2, and ranked #2 in the Country.

Ohio went 23-9 on the year and beat Illinois State (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u41taGZcCA ) in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Kentucky (with Kenny "Sky" Walker and Mel Turpin) in the 2nd round.

Last Edited: 1/10/2017 11:30:34 PM by OUbobcat9092

Bring Back Men's Track & Field

cathead
General User

Member Since: 12/21/2004
Post Count: 301

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:11:50 PM

We called it the St Valentine's Day massacre in the Convo , my husband & I both thought Ray Meyer was gonna have a heart attack right on the court . The wildest of games, Tyrone Corbin a beast - will never forget it .. double OT win

OUbobcat9092
General User

Member Since: 12/28/2004
Location: Fairfax, VA
Post Count: 1,192

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:30:59 PM

cathead wrote:

Might be the best win in the history of the Convo

Bring Back Men's Track & Field

stub
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 996

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:44:26 PM

The Convo rocked big time that night. DePaul was a major basketball force in that era although this was an off year for them. We took them down in a wild double overtime thriller. Ray Meyer was still coaching. He coached DePaul from 1942-1984. He got a standing O when introduced at the beginning of the game.

cbus cat fan
General User

Member Since: 12/2/2011
Post Count: 1,169

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:47:04 PM

Amazing year to be a Bobcat. I remember going to the game like it was yesterday. I would be willing to bet that many of the students knew more about DePaul than Ohio. Ray Meyer was a living legend, a man who had been coaching since the Second World War. We had a "young" Danny Nee and were a program on the rise. After Robert Tatum's miraculous shot in March at the First Round of the NCAA tournament, and Dick Vitale's boisterous talk about the Bobcats, the students rallied around the Bobcats.

A couple of side notes, the first round of the NCAA tournament was still broadcast on ESPN. The gregarious Dick Vitale was relative newcomer and many gravitated to his repeated reference to "March Madness," though he didn't officially coin the term. Vitale was a big MAC supporter, before he coached the Pistons, he had coached college basketball at Detroit University (now named Detroit Mercy.) He had an appreciation for the schools that didn't always get the publicity they deserve. One also has to remember in the age before the internet, social media, and big time multiple sports cable channels, we were dwarfed in regional press coverage by the likes of Ohio State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and even Cleveland State. 1983 changed all that, and it began with a miraculous double OT win at the Convo against the iconic Coach Ray Meyer and his DePaul squad.

Last Edited: 1/10/2017 11:52:36 PM by cbus cat fan

RSBobcat
General User

Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,437

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/10/2017 11:47:29 PM

Depaul was not in top form that year but it was the legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer farewell tour year around the country. The OHIO reception when he was announced as the DePaul coach was appropriately gracious, loud, and warm.

It was the Danny, Billy, Franny coaching staff years. The program was on an upswing post Bandy years. Devereaux and Alexander bulwarks in the paint years.

I was post student years but still living in Athens - a not too uncommon effect of the town (ended up living in Athens for 18 years). I might have paid a few $'s to get into the game (and I mean a FEW). Got there early but still about half way up student side seats. A huge crowd but not in the top 10 - kinda surprisingly. The atmosphere was electric - even though no hanging scoreboard, bad concessions options, maybe the hand dryers were actually warm enough to dry back then - can't remember....did not even think about that stuff back in those days - but then again that was a couple years before I went Platinum and began to think of my contributions as an "investment" (which BTW is how the Athletic Dept looks at it from an income stream point of view).

Hard to remember game details - but if I remember correctly it was pretty nip and tuck affair from the get go. Double OT. And the end of the regulation through the OT's was a fun, wild, ride. A classic. Other than about 5 or 6 Fiami games that went OT or down to the wire - my top game in the convo experience (Yes - all better then the OSU game). Pretty sure I was uptown and in Tony's right after game end......I think I remember seeing some of the coaching staff there later that night also. I know for a fact I was with Randy Roth there - he was a good friend of mine who was coaching at Logan HS then and then a couple years later landed asst job with Nee.

It was a seminal BOBCAT BBall game experience for me. After my first years of the Joyce/Skaggs era, then some downside and hanging in there, this was part of the big Upswing - that reeled me in for forever. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat.......

RS Bobcat

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,757

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 12:01:55 AM

As I recall, DePaul got off to a big lead early -- something like 20-8, but OHIO clawed it's way back into the game by halftime, and then won in OT. I don't think it was the biggest win in Convo history, but it was in the top five or so. Other big wins in the Convo would be over Rick Mount's #13 Purdue, over #4 O$U, and over #12 Indiana. Those last two were consecutive home games in the 1971-72 season.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

Steve
General User

Member Since: 12/1/2005
Post Count: 710

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 9:52:58 AM

Great night. DePaul was big time back then. The place was rocking. Tense game from tip-off.

OUVan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Bethesda, MD
Post Count: 5,580

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:31:18 AM

OhioCatFan wrote:

I think you are right about it not being the biggest win. It certainly was a great win but we've had bigger ones all over the place. That being said it was by far the most exciting, fun college basketball game I've ever seen. I've never seen a college arena that electric and I've been to many arenas. And no, this wasn't the best DePaul team but it was still a very good team with lots of talent. If I'm not mistaken they lost in the NIT final.

oldkatz
General User

Member Since: 12/22/2004
Post Count: 1,439

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:43:29 AM

The Convo was indeed rocking that night. Press row was on the floor in those days and there were so many credentials handed out due to the legendary Ray Meyers team, that the press stretched out along the sideline and over to part of the baseline. Jeff Thomas hit a half court shot to close out the first half for a two as time expired.
Wild night made even better with a pre-game stop with Sullivan at the West End Tavern. Danny had a big night on Court Street after the game, too.

"All my inside sources tell me I have no inside sources." Salvatore "money bucks" Mafiosiano.

MedinaCat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Lakewood, OH
Post Count: 743

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 10:52:59 AM

OUbobcat9092 wrote:

Game was broadcast nationally on WGN, which was a pretty big deal at the time. They thumped us the previous year. Losing Terry Cummings to the NBA brought them down a few notches this particular year.

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,720

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:12:09 AM

According to Sports Reference, DePaul was never in the AP poll in the 1982-83 season. In 1983-84, they were ranked as high as #2. That year they beat Ohio 69-45. I saw Dayton beat #2 Depaul at UD Arena on February 18th, 1984. Best basketball game I witnessed in person.

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

SBH
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,270

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:18:20 AM

Game was broadcast regionally. I was home from OU for an internship interview and watched from Akron. The WGN announcers were VERY disparaging of our alma mater.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
General User

Member Since: 2/3/2005
Post Count: 3,016

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 11:51:35 AM

THESE are the stories that need to be told in the hallways and on the walls and on video boards of the Convo. They can be told with photos, banners, video kiosks, memorabilia displays. Let people know that the place they're entering is not just an arena. It's a living museum. That it matters to a lot of people, people like us and former coaches and players. And then invite everyone entering the arena to participate in it, to make that game matter. To create an atmosphere that makes watching basketball not just fun, but intoxicating. It can be done. It would cost some money and some time and requires some inspiration. And there's the little matter of wining a lot of basketball games to bring people in.

Last Edited: 1/11/2017 11:53:12 AM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)

OUcats82
General User

Member Since: 1/9/2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 1,882

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 12:07:25 PM

I have been to far fewer home basketball games than many on here but have there ever been "Great moments in Ohio Basketball" types of videos done in the past? I remember they made some along these lines when they celebrated 100 years but anything besides that? I would guess they have but am not sure.

Ohio-The State University

OU_Country
General User

Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,370

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 12:35:19 PM

OUcats82 wrote:

That's a great point. It would be good, if we get the scoreboard some reference in The Convo thread, if they'd share some of these moments on the board.

bobcatsquared
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,418

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 12:53:13 PM

Brian Smith wrote:

THESE are the stories that need to be told in the hallways and on the walls and on video boards of the Convo. They can be told with photos, banners, video kiosks, memorabilia displays.

If my memory is correct, Victor "Baby Bull" Alexander had a monstrous dunk in this game. And a photo of this dunk, I believe, was featured in the following year's schedule poster with a near-capacity crowd in the background. This photo displayed somewhere in the Convo would look great 30 years later.

And as someone posted above, DePaul did beat us handedly the year before on a Monday night in Chicago following a Saturday loss to Miami in the Convo. cc-cat and sbh have a funny story to share sometime about this weekend in the winter of 1982.

Last Edited: 1/11/2017 12:53:51 PM by bobcatsquared

SBH
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,270

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 3:36:15 PM

I'm sorry, 'Squared, but I believe the breakaway dunk you are referencing was against EMU. The poster could be seen in The Blue Ruin beer store for years afterward.

As for the alleged story, I believe it can be described as the beginning of the end for the classic paw print logo.

Last Edited: 1/11/2017 3:40:55 PM by SBH

AlumDadDad
General User

Member Since: 10/18/2015
Post Count: 573

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 3:47:59 PM

I recall that a Columbus TV sportscaster led into the story that night with something like "Even though each member of the DePaul basketball team could beat each member of the Ohio University team in one-on-one...". He took a lot of heat for that remark. He wrapped up the story with "I bet they're partying in Athens tonight". He was absolutely correct on that account! I was doing my best to contribute to that effort.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,757

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 4:03:10 PM

AlumDadDad wrote:

I remember that dude. Can't remember his name. I actually exchanged letters with him about his inability to call us OHIO.

Last Edited: 1/11/2017 4:03:33 PM by OhioCatFan

ou1982
General User

Member Since: 3/5/2011
Post Count: 150

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 5:20:49 PM

my parents watched on WGN and saw us in the stands. my wife and i in our green and white paw print sweaters. i still have a piece of the net from that night. great atmosphere. the place was pretty packed, very loud and just an abolute blast. it was what makes college so special - nights like that. i'd graduated the year before, but lived in parkersburg and we made the trip back for the game.

my dad said the WGN guys were talking us down quite a bit. one of the funniest things about that time that my wife and i still joke about was the Danny Nee show, starring Danny Nee and Danny Nee will be right back on the Danny Nee show. not sure whether that was the OU radio or the Athens radio, but the announcer said Danny Nee probably 15 times in a 30-second spot. i think it was the post-game show.

great time. we felt like we put our stamp on the nation because this was early cable days and this was national exposure. we beat DePaul and that was seen across the country. WGN and TBS were the big cable network in the midwest. it was an electric night. i was at the BG game for sibs week that is the biggest crowd ever at the convo in the 70s and i think the DePaul game felt bigger.

just a great time. no OZone, but still plenty of students at the game. it was loud and i think it showed the big boys that they shouldn't come to the Convo cause OUr guys could play.

one of my fondest memories from my time in Athens.

ou1982
General User

Member Since: 3/5/2011
Post Count: 150

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 5:22:01 PM

AlumDadDad wrote:

It wasn't Jimmy Crum was it? He was a big OSU homer.

Jeff McKinney
Moderator

Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,155

Status: Offline

RE: Tell me about the DePaul game in the 80s

Posted: 1/11/2017 7:26:23 PM

I recall that Coach Meyer wasn't very gracious in his post game press conference. Said something to the effect that "you come into a small time gym like this then their team played way above their heads" or something similar.

Showing Replies:	1 - 25 of 44 Posts
Jump to Page:	1 \| 2 Next >

View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics

There are 338 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

337 Guests
1 Registered User:
	shabamon

There are no other users looking at this page.