ESPN 30 for 30 on NC State...

[sdcloud9]

If this ESPN 30 for 30 on Jim Valvano and the NC State team in 1983 doesn't get a person fired up about the NCAA Tournament, nothing will.

What a great show about that magical team coached by a truly magical coach.

 

[thechucker]

Great show...Jimmy V was awesome...I remember watching the Tournament that year, NC State had an incredible run.

 

[sdcloud9]

I too remember that season and their ACC and NCAA runs very well. What a team and story.

That show was hard to watch with dry eyes.

Coach V still inspires people years after his death, what an inspirational man.

 

[deejay1]

Max Perry, who was featured several times during the show and who was a grad assistant in the '83 season at NC State, started his college playing career at OU under Dave Bliss. He transferred to NC State after his one and only season at OU (1978).

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

Very good show. With the way coverage was back then many people didn't know what they went through. If it were today they'd have their own reality show. There were some great college players back then, weren't there?

And did anyone catch the show about Sam Bowie? Also very good.

 

[sdcloud9]

The ACC that year was just unreal with UNC, Virginia, etc.

It was amazing how many bounces went their way late in games during that title run.

 

[BruinSooner]

Very good show. With the way coverage was back then many people didn't know what they went through. If it were today they'd have their own reality show. There were some great college players back then, weren't there?

And did anyone catch the show about Sam Bowie? Also very good.

Yes, there were. Look at that Houston team (Olajuwon, Drexler, etc). Ralph Sampson in college as a senior? Never happen today.

 

[scrybe]

Some of you are probably too young to remember, but prior to his becoming famous for leading his team to that monumental upset in the NC game, and before he became ill with cancer, Jim Valvano was viewed as a shady character in the world of college basketball. He was often compared by the national media to our own Switzer, Jackie Sherrill and others, who were supposed to be morally beneath such icons/idols as Joe Paterno, Dean Smith, etc.

Attitudes about Jim began to change after he won the national title. They really changed once he became ill and his true character really began to shine through. That famous speech he made was the real kicker. His last few months on earth showed just how wrong we can be when we allow the national media to shape our perception of someone's character.

 

[skyvue]

Some of you are probably too young to remember, but prior to his becoming famous for leading his team to that monumental upset in the NC game, and before he became ill with cancer, Jim Valvano was viewed as a shady character in the world of college basketball. He was often compared by the national media to our own Switzer, Jackie Sherrill and others, who were supposed to be morally beneath such icons/idols as Joe Paterno, Dean Smith, etc.

Attitudes about Jim began to change after he won the national title. They really changed once he became ill and his true character really began to shine through. That famous speech he made was the real kicker. His last few months on earth showed just how wrong we can be when we allow the national media to shape our perception of someone's character.

Very true, scrybe.

As for the championship game itself, I'll always feel that Houston gave it away. They had NC State beaten, but they inexplicably went away from what was working for them -- what had worked all season. Had they kept the pedal to the metal, they'd have rolled past the Wolfpack.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

The ACC that year was just unreal with UNC, Virginia, etc.

It was amazing how many bounces went their way late in games during that title run.

All those very good players missing all those FT. Every loose ball and every long rebound they seemed to get. It was odd that once the tourney started they didn't have the three pointer. And the lack of a clock too. I used to hate that playing keep away was considered great strategy.

 

[sdcloud9]

Very true, scrybe.

As for the championship game itself, I'll always feel that Houston gave it away. They had NC State beaten, but they inexplicably went away from what was working for them -- what had worked all season. Had they kept the pedal to the metal, they'd have rolled past the Wolfpack.

Watching that show made me realize how bad a coach Guy Lewis was. He played Drexler in the first half with three fouls and then tried to hold the ball when Hakeem left the game with 10 minutes left for a rest.

Stupid.