I just remember hitting Jacy's 3-ball about 50 times in my grandparent's driveway after that game.
BLUM: Re-living the 96 Big 8 title game
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
I was at middle school basketball practice when I got word of the final score. Fun little era of ISU bball.
That core of KU players may have been the greatest ensemble to never pull through. They were incredible the next season before getting duped by AZ, and then LaFrentz ended his career with a 2nd round loss to Rhode Island his senior year.
That core of KU players may have been the greatest ensemble to never pull through. They were incredible the next season before getting duped by AZ, and then LaFrentz ended his career with a 2nd round loss to Rhode Island his senior year.
Here is the Championship shirt I got at the game that I just found in the bottom of drawer full of t-shirts.
I remember I had to travel to Baltimore for a conference starting on Monday, so I had to fly out on Sunday afternoon. Thus did not have a chance to watch the game. Tried to see the score at the airport but no luck. Traveled with a couple of co-workers who weren't ISU or interested in sports.
Got to the hotel and checked in and saw the result on ESPN or CBS. Wore my ISU sweatshirt later that night to the icebreaker. Sporting the Cardinal and Gold...
Got to the hotel and checked in and saw the result on ESPN or CBS. Wore my ISU sweatshirt later that night to the icebreaker. Sporting the Cardinal and Gold...
Is it that year or a different year where I remember Tim Floyd calling for a four corner offense that was run to perfection. I had seen four corner offenses run before, but usually they're filled with no movement. This four corner offense constantly had the ball handlers working for a basket. And when the shot clock got under 10, everyone collapsed to the basket. If they got the rebound with a reset shot clock, start it all over again. It was masterful. Especially the occasional play where Kenny Pratt would use incredible footwork to back the defender from half court all the way to the basket and get a layup or assist. I have never before or since called a four corners offense 'awesome' and 'effective'.
One of my all time great Cyclone fan moment was in KC that weekend. I am still amazed when I watch games with Pratt on how he could get the ball in the basket and get fouled by players 8-10 taller than him.
Crazy memory from that weekend was the drive back up I-35 after that game, if you were not going 90 you would get run over!
Crazy memory from that weekend was the drive back up I-35 after that game, if you were not going 90 you would get run over!
Some buddies were over watching this game in our rental house in Omaha. When the time expired, we all jumped up and cheered. One guy put his hand in the ceiling fan and broke a blade. Then we went out front and waived our ISU flag at the Nebraskans driving by on Pacific St. They had no idea what was going on. I'll never forget that day.
Favorite Pratt moment was him underhand flipping the ball up at the rim in a game at Wyoming to put it into the second OT (I think). Unbelievable shot.
Favorite Pratt moment was him underhand flipping the ball up at the rim in a game at Wyoming to put it into the second OT (I think). Unbelievable shot.
Fans under 40 have been spoiled.
Dedrick was a do everything McGee and we'd be a top title contender this year with Pratt, Cato and Edwards in the frontcourt. It seems that until recently we always were able to find bigs/low post threats.
Dedrick was a do everything McGee and we'd be a top title contender this year with Pratt, Cato and Edwards in the frontcourt. It seems that until recently we always were able to find bigs/low post threats.
I still have mine (except mine is gray). I probably haven't worn it in 19 years, but I can't get rid of it
There was more than 7,000 Cyclone fans there. The number they announced on the broadcast was off by at least 1000. Winning that game in dramatic fashion was probably one of my best Cyclone memory. When the buzzer sounded, the Cyclone contingent went crazy. The Cyclone crowd noise or constant buzz stayed loud for several minutes after the final buzzer.
Watched that game in St Louis with one of my best friends @ Iowa State. Had a few Kansas fans there, they were pretty nice about the game.
I enjoyed this, Blum. I would have been 11 years old at the time, probably at this game, and certainly upset as I left. Used to make the drive over every year with my parents for this tournament, always skipping a day of school for the first round. Growing up in Lawrence, I lived and breathed KU basketball; every game meant the world to me.
Anyway, I dug up a box score for this game, along with a few post-game quotes from Roy and Jacque. Enoy.
edit: better link
Anyway, I dug up a box score for this game, along with a few post-game quotes from Roy and Jacque. Enoy.
edit: better link
Last edited:
That was quite a game and quite a team. I remember Kenny Pratt was always getting in trouble and there was some question if he'd even be allowed to play. Of course Coach Floyd got that little detail taken care of....
Two things...
I have no idea who Shelby Walton is and why I don't recall him. This amazes me.
Ed Hightower was a pretty bad-ass ref. He was really, really good.
I have no idea who Shelby Walton is and why I don't recall him. This amazes me.
Ed Hightower was a pretty bad-ass ref. He was really, really good.
