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Watershed moment for LSU Basketball in Assembly Center 2/11/78
Posted on 3/2/17 at 3:02 pm
Posted on 3/2/17 at 3:02 pm
The biggest moment in the Assembly Center occurred 39 years ago. A rising but young LSU team stood toe to toe with mighty Kentucky, the # 1 team in the country and eventual national champions. With all five starters fouled out the Tigers took down the top ranked Wildcats 95-94 in overtime.This was the moment LSU began to believe they could challenge Kentucky for SEC supremacy which they did for the next 15 years.
Just as important it sold the LSU program to its fan base and sellout crowds with students standing in the concourse becoming a regular occurrence.
It was an incredible scene which those who were there that night will always remember. It was such an emotional win for the program and the fans were on their feet roaring the whole evening. Several fans were in tears as they celebrated the win over Joe B. Hall's team of All Americans and future high draft picks. There would be many epic battles over the next decade but none could match this one in its significance.
Just as important it sold the LSU program to its fan base and sellout crowds with students standing in the concourse becoming a regular occurrence.
It was an incredible scene which those who were there that night will always remember. It was such an emotional win for the program and the fans were on their feet roaring the whole evening. Several fans were in tears as they celebrated the win over Joe B. Hall's team of All Americans and future high draft picks. There would be many epic battles over the next decade but none could match this one in its significance.
11
Posted on 3/2/17 at 4:29 pm to tigersbb
This was such a great game, and I still feel fortunate to have been there. I was in the band. We played Pregame a bunch.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 4:41 pm to MondayMorningMarch
quote:
This was such a great game, and I still feel fortunate to have been there. I was in the band. We played Pregame a bunch.
The announcer Sid Crocker always gave you props - " The finest basketball band in the land." He had a great whimsical comment or two regarding the band at every game.
LSU basketball became an event during that time, much as gymnastics has become the last few years.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 4:59 pm to tigersbb
"Hey, Sid! What's a comfort station?"
Posted on 3/2/17 at 5:24 pm to tigersbb
Were the students court side ( I believe they were),
Instead of behind a basket?
The students need to be moved back to court side.
Instead of behind a basket?
The students need to be moved back to court side.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 5:34 pm to swlaLSUfan
I was at that game. But next year's game versus Alabama where we won the SEC Title for the first time in 25 years was MUCH bigger in the grand scheme of LSU MBB history, imo.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 5:36 pm to swlaLSUfan
quote:
Were the students court side ( I believe they were), Instead of behind a basket? The students need to be moved back to court side.
They just moved behind the basket recently. Not going to happen.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 5:59 pm to swlaLSUfan
quote:
The students need to be moved back to court side.
Nah
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:03 pm to swlaLSUfan
quote:Student section was court side behind what was press row on both sides of mid court.
Were the students court side ( I believe they were),
Instead of behind a basket?
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:04 pm to MondayMorningMarch
I was there. Awesome game for a 7-year-old kid to attend.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:08 pm to tigersbb
That was Dale's watershed moment, I agree bb. He really did not do very much his first 5 years. In fact like Johnny his first year was his best of his first 5 at least in terms of talent vs. results.
But we started to be a bit more competitive consistently that year and beating Kentucky that year thrust us to a level we really hadn't been since Petit days. And we were able to sustain that for a good while.
I was never really a big Dale guy, his BS and drama was too much for me over time, but that team and many of his teams gave me some of my best LSU sports memories.
But we started to be a bit more competitive consistently that year and beating Kentucky that year thrust us to a level we really hadn't been since Petit days. And we were able to sustain that for a good while.
I was never really a big Dale guy, his BS and drama was too much for me over time, but that team and many of his teams gave me some of my best LSU sports memories.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:11 pm to tigersbb
My freshman year 
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:16 pm to tigersbb
When I was a kid, my dad was always off to work long before I woke up to go to school. The morning after this game, he woke me up just so he could give me the whole recap.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 6:30 pm to Tiger Ugly
quote:
was Dale's watershed moment, I agree bb. He really did not do very much his first 5 years. In fact like Johnny his first year was his best of his first 5 at least in terms of talent vs. results.
Dale would not have lasted beyond 4 to 5 years in today's environment. Fortunately, the administration allowed him more time to build his program. His 1976 recruiting class was the foundation. Rudy Macklin, Greg Cook, Jordy Hultberg joined the Doctor Kenny Higgs, Lionel Green and the Dubberly Dude Floyd Bailey to turn the program around.
The next year Dewayne The Astronaut Scales, Ethan Martin and the Best Sixth Man in all of College basketball Willie Sims arrived with transfer Al Green and the Fantastic Climb to the Top was underway.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:15 pm to tigersbb
Was there, a senior. Electric atmosphere. I would guess that the starters who fouled out were:
Rudy Macklin
Kenny Higgs
Lionel "Tree" Green
DeWayne Scales
Jordy Hultberg
And then the reserves who finished it
Ethan Martin
Willie Sims
Ernest Brown
Rick Mattick
Floyd Bailey? Walter Campbell?
The Tigers were showing steady improvement through Dales early years.
'74-75 10-16
'75-76 12-14
'76-77 15-12
'77-78 18-9
'78-79 23-6
Rudy Macklin
Kenny Higgs
Lionel "Tree" Green
DeWayne Scales
Jordy Hultberg
And then the reserves who finished it
Ethan Martin
Willie Sims
Ernest Brown
Rick Mattick
Floyd Bailey? Walter Campbell?
The Tigers were showing steady improvement through Dales early years.
'74-75 10-16
'75-76 12-14
'76-77 15-12
'77-78 18-9
'78-79 23-6
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:18 pm to tigersbb
I think Greg Cook's first season was 78-79
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:29 pm to tigersbb
quote:
Dale would not have lasted beyond 4 to 5 years in today's environment.
Maybe not, but there were no expectations and there was at least some hope to build on as opposed the this year 5 which seems hopeless.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:30 pm to TigerGyp
I think Martin was actually the starter at point by that part of the season. Higgs was the 2. Hultberg was still a reserve.
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:45 pm to sonuvapitcher
Posted on 3/2/17 at 8:55 pm to sonuvapitcher
Looks like Higgs and Martin both were starters.
15 minutes from Floyd Bailey! Wow!
15 minutes from Floyd Bailey! Wow!
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