Q & A With Dr. Hoops.....His Thoughts On the NCAA Tournament and More!

For the last couple of years, I said to myself "I've got to interview the legendary Dr. Hoops". 

Well, I finally caught up with him in Boca Raton, Fl. and I asked him as much as I could, in the hour he  gave me.  We talked mostly about this year's NCAA Tournament.

Before we we started, I asked the Dr. if he wanted another cup of coffee.  He said he didn't and we just started the interview.

Q..Dr. Hoops, I've always wanted to ask how you got the name "Dr. Hoops"

A..Most people think I got the name because I've always been a huge college basketball fan.  That's not the reason. 

Dr. Hoops is my real name and I was a veterinarian for twenty-one years before I got bit by a dog and couldn't practice any more..couldn't perform and kind of surgery since that time.

Q..Dr. Hoops, what is your first recollection of the NCAA Tournament?                          

A..Well, When people ask me this question I immediately think back to the days when the tournament's championship game would be televised on a tape delay.  I think that happened in the early 60's and I remember a game where Cincinnati came back from a 17 point deficit and beat Loyola of Chicago.

I'm not sure if I got the teams right but I certainly do remember a game like that.

I do remember when Texas Western(UTEP) started five black players and defeated Kentucky.  That game was televised sometime around 1966 or 1967. I think it was the first time they televised the championship game live.

Q..Any other recollections you want to share?

A..Yes, I always connected the tournament with the ending of winter.  A great time of the year if you live up north and the winter is finally coming to the end.  I think that's another reason why so many people go a little crazy about this thing.

Q.. What have been some of the biggest changes we've seen in the Tournament?

A.. As I said, television...we went from no television to round-the-clock coverage.  Back then there was no ESPN but we still found ways to keep up on college basketball.

Another difference was the number of teams.  It used to be that you had to win your conference to qualify.  And, Of course, there was no three-point shot.

I never really did like the three point shot very much.  We were always taught to work for a good shot and now they play some kind of "drive and kick out" game.  I don't like it.  In fact, If the three point shot is such a good idea--lets paint a line about five feet further back and have a four point shot.  I just don't like it.  Bobby Knight probably doesn't like it either.

Q..Have you been following this year's tournament?

A.. Yes, very much.  I'm really looking forward to it!

Q..What did you think of the job the selection committee did?

A.  They did a great job.  Of course you're always going to have a couple of teams that feel like they got stiffed but you just can't help that.

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