I am an acquaintance of Al McGuire, and a bit of an expert. Cole, considering your age, I give a good mark for this. When Al chose the NIT Tournament in 1970, you have to remember it was still 1/2 step less than the NCAA. Also, that particular year, the opponents included Pete Maravich and Julius Erving. As eccentric as you think Al McGuire was - he was way more so in bad ways and good ways. Coach McGuire was both very violent and a devout Catholic. Coach liked being Al McGuire but the stress got to him. He did not want to continuing the "fighting and wildness." So he got off the merry-go-round.
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills was on full display to the public, no one could match him.
Cole, excellent job that both brings back great memories to so many people while also introducing the younger generations to the legend known as Al McGuire. I will never forget my freshman year at Marquette. It was 1988-89 and MU was only a decade and a couple years removed from that 1977 title. While the program had recently slid a bit, the first weekend I went out with my fake ID (shhh lol😊) wow did I ever become enthralled at the history of Al McGuire and those Warriors from the 1970s. Bigger than life pictures of the team adorned bars with names like The Gym, The Avalanche, Murphy’s etc. Even a chain pizza place named Rocky Rococo’s knew the allure of that magical era and featured massive wall-to-wall color photos of cool looking dudes in Untucked jerseys, who just happened to be amazing basketball players. Legends with names like Bo Ellis, Maurice Lucas, Butchie Lee, and even a local hero from my hometown of Waukegan IL named Jerome Whitehead. Two pictures in particular sealed the deal of my fandom for life. One was of Bo Ellis being lifted up on someone’s shoulders to cut down the nets, and the other was of Al McGuire crying tears of joy on the bench after winning that 1977 NCAA championship. Ya know, many titles have been won through the years at many programs, but there was something about how immersed in the moment these guys were. Such passion and unbridled joy. Al McGuire had a great saying, “don’t be just another guy walking down the street going nowhere.” He felt a real responsibility to get the best out of everyone he touched. These Marquette guys showed a different level of celebration and family that just really stuck with me. Marquette. Very special place.
Cole, as a Marquette graduate this video put a huge smile on my face. My mom had a cousin who was at Marquette when they lost the championship game in '74. She was a part of the welcoming crowd when the team got off the bus, as they start to walk by her she starts to cry. Al (who of course was the final one on the bus and in line) sees her, stops dead in his tracks, puts his hand on her shoulder and says "Don't cry sweetie, it's just a game." What a guy.
It’s a good day when Cole Adams uploads 🔥 Edit: really enjoyed this video man. It was super informative and was great hearing you talk about this super interesting character of the sporting world
Coach Al was a Brooklyn guy. He like recruiting players fron broken sidewalks. He had his NYCity pipeline and was able ti pull chicago area talent to play for him. One was Jim Brewer who had a 10 12 ur nba carerr. His nephew was Doc Rivers. He had a great time coaching against and criticizing Ncaa selection committe with Queens Native Richard 'digger ' Phelps. There was no seeding till 78? You mention Als 84 final four appearance. Only 25 team's. Maryland was 2nd in country with McMillan, len Elmore and John Lucas. Thet finished 27-3 with all losses against NC State. They lost by 2 then 3? THEN BY 2 IN acc championship by 2 in double ot. They dudnt play in tourney. Only conference chamos or tourney winners. So in 74. Nc state got east with nobody. Ucla was in west that they deserved. Only 5 top ten teams made tournament. 6? Then only 7 9 in top 20 made it. No seeds then. East and west had Nc st and ucla. Midwest had 26-2 notre dame playing a playin game. Marquette, michigan N vanderbilt were 4 of 6 team region. So you had #4 #6 #9 #15 in one region. Only 5 in other 3. He was right giving big 5 byes and putting independent teams with bad draws. In 70s you had Marquette, Depaul, notre dame, louisville, dayton, Syracuse, s. Carolina, Davidson that played each other but never got dues for beating big conference teams. Kentucky was the biggest program that was afraid to lose to Indiana teams. They had a Yearly indiana, purdue, Louisville, kentucky that would rotate sites. Kentucky was only gping to play at home. They wouldnt even schedule a home and home 4 year with anyone. They always got moved to regions that gave them playing reginal finals in Lexington. In 83 Illinois played final and lost by 3 with 2 horrible calls in last 2 minutes. The illini players weren't crying when asked if crowd affected them. The said were play most away games in these conditions. It was the Nationwide fans and coaches that changed teams playing at home deep into tourney. Phelps was the only one with Coach vs Committe. Yet He was punished worse. 76 team with Dantley was matched up against Michigan when it was first year multiple teams could come from same conferance. In 78 irish lost to duke in final semi. Duke got alot of calls cause of their 3 seniors . Irish had jr lambeer. So. Branning. Fr. Tripucka, woolridge, hanzlik. They lost then next year got a #1 seed that a 24-6 team deserves. Of course the indiana st team got 1 seed. East? Depaul was 26-2 and got west #1 seed. Notre dame didnt deserve 1 and also had Spartans as w seed.
Everyone should go back and look at the two calls against Marquette that got Al the 2 techs in the 1974 title game. 2 of the worst calls in sports history.
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills eas on full display to the public, no one could match him.
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills eas on full display to the public, no one could match him.
I am an acquaintance of Al McGuire, and a bit of an expert. Cole, considering your age, I give a good mark for this. When Al chose the NIT Tournament in 1970, you have to remember it was still 1/2 step less than the NCAA. Also, that particular year, the opponents included Pete Maravich and Julius Erving. As eccentric as you think Al McGuire was - he was way more so in bad ways and good ways. Coach McGuire was both very violent and a devout Catholic. Coach liked being Al McGuire but the stress got to him. He did not want to continuing the "fighting and wildness." So he got off the merry-go-round.
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills was on full display to the public, no one could match him.
Cole, excellent job that both brings back great memories to so many people while also introducing the younger generations to the legend known as Al McGuire. I will never forget my freshman year at Marquette. It was 1988-89 and MU was only a decade and a couple years removed from that 1977 title. While the program had recently slid a bit, the first weekend I went out with my fake ID (shhh lol😊) wow did I ever become enthralled at the history of Al McGuire and those Warriors from the 1970s. Bigger than life pictures of the team adorned bars with names like The Gym, The Avalanche, Murphy’s etc. Even a chain pizza place named Rocky Rococo’s knew the allure of that magical era and featured massive wall-to-wall color photos of cool looking dudes in Untucked jerseys, who just happened to be amazing basketball players. Legends with names like Bo Ellis, Maurice Lucas, Butchie Lee, and even a local hero from my hometown of Waukegan IL named Jerome Whitehead. Two pictures in particular sealed the deal of my fandom for life. One was of Bo Ellis being lifted up on someone’s shoulders to cut down the nets, and the other was of Al McGuire crying tears of joy on the bench after winning that 1977 NCAA championship. Ya know, many titles have been won through the years at many programs, but there was something about how immersed in the moment these guys were. Such passion and unbridled joy. Al McGuire had a great saying, “don’t be just another guy walking down the street going nowhere.” He felt a real responsibility to get the best out of everyone he touched.
These Marquette guys showed a different level of celebration and family that just really stuck with me. Marquette. Very special place.
Back Like He Never Left 🔥
New York City basketball royalty
Al McGuire is one of CBB's most undeservedly forgotten coaches in the history of the sport. Great video Cole!
good work.
Cole, as a Marquette graduate this video put a huge smile on my face. My mom had a cousin who was at Marquette when they lost the championship game in '74. She was a part of the welcoming crowd when the team got off the bus, as they start to walk by her she starts to cry. Al (who of course was the final one on the bus and in line) sees her, stops dead in his tracks, puts his hand on her shoulder and says "Don't cry sweetie, it's just a game." What a guy.
It’s a good day when Cole Adams uploads 🔥 Edit: really enjoyed this video man. It was super informative and was great hearing you talk about this super interesting character of the sporting world
Ahsmwm
Al and Raftery are/were the best.
Babe wake up, new Cole Adams heat dropped
Hesssss back
Coach Al was a Brooklyn guy. He like recruiting players fron broken sidewalks. He had his NYCity pipeline and was able ti pull chicago area talent to play for him. One was Jim Brewer who had a 10 12 ur nba carerr. His nephew was Doc Rivers. He had a great time coaching against and criticizing Ncaa selection committe with Queens Native Richard 'digger ' Phelps. There was no seeding till 78? You mention Als 84 final four appearance. Only 25 team's. Maryland was 2nd in country with McMillan, len Elmore and John Lucas. Thet finished 27-3 with all losses against NC State. They lost by 2 then 3? THEN BY 2 IN acc championship by 2 in double ot. They dudnt play in tourney. Only conference chamos or tourney winners. So in 74. Nc state got east with nobody. Ucla was in west that they deserved. Only 5 top ten teams made tournament. 6? Then only 7 9 in top 20 made it. No seeds then. East and west had Nc st and ucla. Midwest had 26-2 notre dame playing a playin game. Marquette, michigan N vanderbilt were 4 of 6 team region. So you had #4 #6 #9 #15 in one region. Only 5 in other 3. He was right giving big 5 byes and putting independent teams with bad draws. In 70s you had Marquette, Depaul, notre dame, louisville, dayton, Syracuse, s. Carolina, Davidson that played each other but never got dues for beating big conference teams. Kentucky was the biggest program that was afraid to lose to Indiana teams. They had a Yearly indiana, purdue, Louisville, kentucky that would rotate sites. Kentucky was only gping to play at home. They wouldnt even schedule a home and home 4 year with anyone. They always got moved to regions that gave them playing reginal finals in Lexington. In 83 Illinois played final and lost by 3 with 2 horrible calls in last 2 minutes. The illini players weren't crying when asked if crowd affected them. The said were play most away games in these conditions. It was the Nationwide fans and coaches that changed teams playing at home deep into tourney. Phelps was the only one with Coach vs Committe. Yet He was punished worse. 76 team with Dantley was matched up against Michigan when it was first year multiple teams could come from same conferance.
In 78 irish lost to duke in final semi. Duke got alot of calls cause of their 3 seniors . Irish had jr lambeer. So. Branning. Fr. Tripucka, woolridge, hanzlik. They lost then next year got a #1 seed that a 24-6 team deserves. Of course the indiana st team got 1 seed. East? Depaul was 26-2 and got west #1 seed. Notre dame didnt deserve 1 and also had Spartans as w seed.
Nice
Coach McGuire was not a Brooklyn guy. His mother and father ran a bar in Rockaway Beach, Queens, and the family lived in the back.
Any day Cole uploads is a good day in my book
Everyone should go back and look at the two calls against Marquette that got Al the 2 techs in the 1974 title game. 2 of the worst calls in sports history.
LETS GO
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills eas on full display to the public, no one could match him.
Al is a composite of all you stated and more. I grew up watching his Marquette Warriors basketball program become the winningest team in the 70's other than UCLA. A 81 game home winning streak, a NCAA national championship, NIT championship, countless players who made their mark in the NBA were some of Al's great accomplishments. In my opinion, Al McGuire's greatest contribution was his unique ability to communicate with his players. No one was better than Al in inspiring, captivating, his players to be their best. As a color commentator for television broadcasts of college basketball, his communications skills eas on full display to the public, no one could match him.