RIP Billy Packer

[qtlaw]

I started with Packer on Sat with McGuire, that was fun. But after a bit Packer's East Coast bias grated and as a WC guy who was young, I gravitated to the ESPN with Vitale (when he was the unknown from Univ. of Detroit, not the establishment) and that was much more fun (Big Monday with the Big East, Ewing/Mullin/the Pearl/Donovan, etc. great times).

So thanks for the early good times Mr. Packer.

 

[TigerVols]

Ah yes, a team that was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by .... VMI!

 

[rtse11]

It was all about the game and the atmosphere inside the building.

Man, I remember going to college and NBA games and you could hear the coaches calling plays and the sneakers squeaking on the floor.
Now, you have to shout to the person in the next seat.

 

[Vombatus]

I remember UNC’s quaint flip-scoreboard in the corner. I guess they’ve done away with that - although I think it did carry over to the Dean Dome for a bit.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I grew up on Big Monday, Super Tuesday and the Big East games syndicated throughout the northeast and, locally for us, WTAE. The thing I always loved was seeing all of the different gyms and arenas, like the Capitol Centre for Georgetown, Brendan Byrne Arena for Seton Hall and Villanova either at the Spectrum or the Pavillion. I remember staying at my grandparents one Saturday, seeing Pitt playing St. Johns at Alumni Hall and being blown away that two big time programs aappeared to be playing at the equivalent of the gym at White Oak Athletic Association.

 

[poindexter]

I remember UNC’s quaint flip-scoreboard in the corner. I guess they’ve done away with that - although I think it did carry over to the Dean Dome for a bit.

Okay, I was talking with a friend this morning and I my mind went to Charmichael Auditorium(?) and the flip-scoreboard. Too funny,

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

As noted by Shelbyville, he is synonyous with the rise of college hoops and his 34-year run on the Final Four will probably never come close to being matched by anyone associated with any event. RIP.

And that was a great Billy Packer moment, because he quickly and clearly conveyed the gravity of the timeout. (He also correctly identified that Webber traveled in the backcourt before calling the timeout.)

Chris Webber throwing the 1993 title game is the one conspiracy I will always buy into. Guy was/is as crooked as the day is long and was already up to his eyeballs in bad dudes. Zero doubt in my mind he threw it. Just rewatching the clip now, it looks like he tried calling timeout after getting the rebound of the Pat Sullivan missed FT. Then he took six steps in the backcourt and THEN he called timeout.

 

[micropolitan guy]

"It was all about the game and the atmosphere inside the building."

So true, Shotty.

We still had it in the PNW before Oregon opened its new arena. I know it was much-needed, but there was nothing like watching a game at McArthur Court. The place was an absolute dump but I loved it.

Gill Coliseum and Hec Ed at Washington still have that old-time feel, Hec Ed somewhat less so after the renovation. Friel Court at WSU is old-school too, from the early 1980s. I can only imagine what watching a big game at Bohler Gym must have been like, sort of like the old Fieldhouse at Wyoming before the AA was built in the early 1980s.

 

[poindexter]

The Son of the Nike Guy court in Eugene looks like vomited leaves.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

The Son of the Nike Guy court in Eugene looks like vomited leaves.

When you've got that much **** you money, you can be like Homer Simpson designing the car for his brother, except even it sucking isn't enough to stop it from existing.

 

[swingline]

The Son of the Nike Guy court in Eugene looks like vomited leaves.

Terrible on TV.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

I grew up on Big Monday, Super Tuesday and the Big East games syndicated throughout the northeast and, locally for us, WTAE. The thing I always loved was seeing all of the different gyms and arenas, like the Capitol Centre for Georgetown, Brendan Byrne Arena for Seton Hall and Villanova either at the Spectrum or the Pavillion. I remember staying at my grandparents one Saturday, seeing Pitt playing St. Johns at Alumni Hall and being blown away that two big time programs aappeared to be playing at the equivalent of the gym at White Oak Athletic Association.

Growing up as a young college basketball fan was so much fun in the 80s. The Big East was a blast. The ACC was fun. Bobby Knight was chucking chairs. The rivalries were intense. The players stayed for four years and had a following when they were drafted by the NBA. Even watching the NCAA selection show was enjoyable because the mid-majors were a mystery (Who the **** is Coppin State?) and they actually would show bubble teams not getting selected. Even our local mid-major made the tournament a couple of times.

Now it’s not so much fun. I don’t begrudge the one and dones or the guys making six figure
NIL deals. They deserve all that they can get. I can do a few clicks and look up any North Bumble**** College and see who they are and watch video of their 24-point loss the night before. The selection show is a bunch of whining over which 15-15 major got snubbed. The major conferences span the country and kill regional rivalries. Our local mid-major has sucked for 30 years with just a couple of NIT games.

There’s so much in life that’s better nowadays. College basketball ain’t.

Now get off my lawn and go get your ****ing shoebox.

 

[Vombatus]

Okay, I was talking with a friend this morning and I my mind went to Charmichael Auditorium(?) and the flip-scoreboard. Too funny,

I figure they got rid of it out of fear that a student-athlete might hurt themselves on the obstacle and jeopardize their NBA career.

Sounds like a Farmers Insurance commercial.

We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.

 

[Vombatus]

I enjoyed the NIT.

Enjoyed Ralph and UVa winning it, and UVa a second time.

Hate seeing schools snub it or playing like jackasses in it.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

I enjoyed the NIT.

Enjoyed Ralph and UVa winning it, and UVa a second time.

Hate seeing schools snub it or playing like jackasses in it.

I liked the NIT too. It’s a consolation tournament, but it was still fun, especially when you’d get a major school have to go in the road to a mid-major.

I have no use for the CBI and CIT tournaments. Oversaturation.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

I liked the NIT too. It’s a consolation tournament, but it was still fun, especially when you’d get a major school have to go in the road to a mid-major.

I have no use for the CBI and CIT tournaments. Oversaturation.

The CIT just announced it folded...came back for one year after the pandemic pause but couldn't make a permanent run of it. The CBI is still around b/c Gazelle Group can use it to lure/extort teams into appearing in one of their 750 preseason tourneys played in front of acres of empty seats.

I agree I liked and still like the NIT. It was a big deal and still is for the mids of the world. I like telling people that UConn got a ****ing parade for winning it in 1988. Nobody any younger than 40 can believe it.

 

[swingline]

Growing up as a young college basketball fan was so much fun in the 80s. The Big East was a blast. The ACC was fun. Bobby Knight was chucking chairs. The rivalries were intense. The players stayed for four years and had a following when they were drafted by the NBA. Even watching the NCAA selection show was enjoyable because the mid-majors were a mystery (Who the **** is Coppin State?) and they actually would show bubble teams not getting selected. Even our local mid-major made the tournament a couple of times.

Now it’s not so much fun. I don’t begrudge the one and dones or the guys making six figure
NIL deals. They deserve all that they can get. I can do a few clicks and look up any North Bumble**** College and see who they are and watch video of their 24-point loss the night before. The selection show is a bunch of whining over which 15-15 major got snubbed. The major conferences span the country and kill regional rivalries. Our local mid-major has sucked for 30 years with just a couple of NIT games.

There’s so much in life that’s better nowadays. College basketball ain’t.

Now get off my lawn and go get your ****ing shoebox.

Shinebox, goddamnit.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Shinebox, goddamnit.

LOL, I denounce myself.

 

[HanSenSE]

I remember UNC’s quaint flip-scoreboard in the corner. I guess they’ve done away with that - although I think it did carry over to the Dean Dome for a bit.

Was very disappointed while watching a local team in an NCAA regional game at Carmichael a few years ago (on TV, that is) and it wasn't there.

 

[HanSenSE]

The CIT just announced it folded...came back for one year after the pandemic pause but couldn't make a permanent run of it. The CBI is still around b/c Gazelle Group can use it to lure/extort teams into appearing in one of their 750 preseason tourneys played in front of acres of empty seats.

I agree I liked and still like the NIT. It was a big deal and still is for the mids of the world. I like telling people that UConn got a ****ing parade for winning it in 1988. Nobody any younger than 40 can believe it.

CBI: The USSSA of college hoops.