March to Madness

[Scrapper1]

I've been reading John Feinstein's book, A March to Madness, which details the 1996-1997 season in the ACC. Pretty good book. In it, he made reference to the time period when the NCAA tournament only accepted the league champion from each conference -- no multiple bids.

Here's part of his description of the 1974 ACC tournament final:

That year, NC State, led by David Thompson, Tom Burleson, and Monty Tow, beat Maryland, led by Tom McMillen, Len Elmore, and John Lucas, 103-100 in an overtime clasic that many basketball people viewed for a long time ast he best college game ever played. The two teams played to an 86-86 tie at the end of regulation without a turnover. State went on to win the national championship two weeks later on the same Greensboro Coliseum court.

I don't remember all of those names, but the ones I remember are impressive and to play all of regulation without a turnover in an ACC game. . . WOW. I can't imagine there will be too many more of those games with kids leaving early every year.

Just thought I'd share a basketball story, since the forum is slow.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I don't remember all of those names...

I do, and I also remember all the names of Dr. Naismith's original starters. Some of them were buddies of mine. They played an entire season without a turnover!!! That's because stats weren't kept yet.

[Mark Dexter]

Scrappy knows how to read!??!?

I enjoyed A March to Madness, but I think The Last Amateurs is an even better book. That said, I enjoy pretty much anything John Feinstein writes.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

I think The Last Amateurs is an even better book.

I just started it yesterday. Only 40 pages in. It's good so far, though.

[Mark Padgett]

My favorite basketball book is "Calling The Shots" by Earl Strom, followed by "Unstoppable - The George Mikan Story".

I have to admit, thought, I also enjoyed "Diebler - The Man and The Myth" by Billy Packer. It had lots of pictures.