Those Were the Days: A Big Ten Retrospective

Recently I wrote an article about how the Big Ten gets no respect these days.  After watching the early action delivered during the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, I understand why.  The Big East predominated in 2009 and for all practical purposes, ruled this tournament.  

Two Big Ten teams made it to the Sweet Sixteen—Michigan State and Purdue—the two best teams in the league.  Only Michigan State, however, survived into the Elite Eight where they faced an awesome Louisville team, the No. 1 ranked team overall. 

That they won is a testament to Michigan State, its crushing defense, its seasoned veterans and some brilliant coaching.  The Big Ten’s sole survivor is into the Final Four!  All is not lost.

As for Louisville—anybody remember Denny Crum?

As the ebb and flow of conference supremacy marches on during this season and others, some of us recall days when the Big Ten was a considerable force.  Recently there was a poignant reminder of finer days and more exuberant results.

The Big Ten Network rebroadcast the 1987 NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 contest between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Oklahoma Sooners. 

The game was being played in the Kingdome in Seattle where Iowa was the No. 2 seed in the West Region and Oklahoma was seeded No. 6.  The date was March 20, 1987.

The Big Ten was a force of magnitude in those days and the University of Iowa oozed with talent at all positions.

Iowa’s new coach Dr. Tom Davis was enjoying the payoff provided by a premium squad recruited by George Raveling who left Iowa for the West Coast—don’t they all?   Lute Olson had left to lead Arizona four years earlier.

Players like Roy Marble, BJ Armstrong, Kevin Gamble, Brad Lohaus, Ed Horton, and Jeff Moe led the Iowa attack.  The Hawkeyes were sporting a 29-game win season and were ranked No. 1 in the nation for a time after winning their first 18 games.

Oklahoma, led by Coach Billy Tubbs, was a high-scoring, dangerous opponent led by Stacy King, Ricky Grace, Harvey Grant, Tim McCalister, David Johnson, Darryl Kennedy, and David Sieger.   

While Iowa had its hands full with Oklahoma, Bobby Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers were busy taking down mighty Duke. 

Ah, the Big Ten was fun to watch in those days.

Oklahoma burst into an early lead as Iowa looked tentative and flatfooted.  In fact, the Sooners led by as much as fifteen points in the first half.  Iowa, however, quietly clawed its way back into the game, making it close at the half.

The second half proved to be an air-tight contest with both teams playing fast-break, aggressive, full-court basketball—trading basket for basket.

Then Oklahoma surged to a five point lead with 2:17 left in regulation, 85-80.

Roy Marble scored for the Hawkeyes, closing the gap to 85-82.  Dave Sieger of the Sooners fouled and sent Kevin Gamble to line.  He missed.  But BJ Armstrong restored order by launching a three-pointer—his first of the contest—and it whished through, tying the score at 85-85.

With 41 seconds to play in regulation and with the possession arrow favoring Iowa, Oklahoma settled in for the last shot—which failed to hit the mark and this game headed into overtime.

At this point Ricky Grace who had been sitting on the sidelines in foul trouble came back into the game for the Sooners.  Iowa, fouled by Oklahoma, made two free throws and led, 87-85.  Then Armstrong sent through another three-pointer and suddenly Iowa was out in front, 90-85.

Oklahoma made a run, starting with two made free throws after being fouled by Iowa—90-87.  Then, they intercepted one of Iowa’s vaunted bounce passes and scored again—90-89.  Tim McCalister stole the ball again.

Suddenly with a basket by Dave Sieger, Oklahoma pulled ahead, 91-90. Iowa was now playing from behind for the first time in this overtime period.  Oklahoma had scored six straight points. 

The possession arrow pointed in Oklahoma’s favor and there were 50 seconds left in the overtime period.  Iowa’s ball.

Marble launched a three-pointer that failed to fall but Iowa retrieved the rebound.  With 11 seconds to go, Kevin Gamble gathered in the ball and shot from behind the 3-point arc and the ball fell effortlessly through the net. 

Iowa took the lead, 93-91, and Oklahoma had one second left on the clock.  The Sooners inbound pass and shot fell short and Iowa won, advancing to the Elite Eight where they met and fell to the UNLV Running Rebels, the number one ranked team in the nation.  

The state of Iowa has never fully recovered from that loss!

For Iowa Hawkeye fans, that season was the best of times.  For Big Ten fans it was a glorious moment when two teams from the league advanced to the Elite Eight—Iowa and Indiana.

Yes, Iowa lost to UNLV, 84-81.  UNLV met and lost to Indiana in the Final Four, 97-93.  Providence fell to Syracuse, 77-63.  Eventually, Indiana won, defeating Syracuse in a real barn-burner, 74-73, on a last second shot by Hoosier Keith Smart.

Take heart, Big Ten fans, the good days are just around the corner.  We just have to emulate the best—in this case Michigan State as they lead the Big Ten into a final four showdown with the University of Connecticut.  Stay tuned...