Topic: History of the Marshall Memorial Invitational

[CoachMaclid]

Don't know why I felt compelled to research some of the history of the Marshall Memorial Invitation.  Marshall's first invitational was in 1967, and there are some interesting historical points here.  The 1971 Tournament looks like it would have been a dandy to watch, and that championship game essentially was a Top 10-type matchup.  Looks like we getting quality opposition until most of the way through the 1980s when Oral Roberts and Austin Peay started showing up quite a bit.    We even had the #2 team in the nation play and fail to win it. 

I know the Global Sports Invitational is all the rage now, but how awesome would it be to put together another blow-out basketball event in the Cam with the D'Antoni show we have going now?

1967 - Inaugural Marshall Invitational
Wed. 12/20/1967
Manhattan (MCC) 75 - Bowling Green (MAC) 64
Marshall (MAC) 97 - Virginia (ACC) 89

Thu. 12/21/1967
Bowling Green (MAC) 76 - Virginia (ACC) 72
Marshall (MC) 85 - Manhattan (MCC) 78

1968 - 2nd Annual
Fri. 12/20/1968
Miami (FL) (Ind.) 77 - Yale (Ivy) 71
Maryland (ACC) 89 - Marshall (MAC) 80

Sat. 12/21/1968
Marshall (MAC) 77 - Yale (Ivy) 72
Miami (FL) (Ind.) 92 - Maryland (ACC) 85

1969 - 3rd Annual
Fri. 12/19/1969
Xavier (Ind.) 75 - New York University (Ind.) 68
Oklahoma (Big 8 ) 80 - Marshall (Ind.) 79

Sat. 12/20/1969
Marshall (Ind.) 94 - New York University (Ind.) 93
Xavier (Ind.) 101 - Oklahoma (Big 8 ) 89

1970 - 4th Annual
Fri. 12/18/1970
Mississippi (SEC) 99 - Holy Cross (Ind.) 93
Marshall (Ind.) 90 - Iowa State (Big 8 ) 66

Sat. 12/19/1970
Holy Cross (Ind.) 80 - Iowa State (Big 8 ) 64
Marshall (Ind.) 118 - Mississippi (SEC) 98

1971 - 5th Annual
Fri. 12/17/1971
#8 St. John's (NY) (Ind.) 85 - Rhode Island (Yankee) 75
Marshall (Ind.) 95 - Mississippi State (SEC) 69

Sat. 12/18/1971
Mississippi State (SEC) 86 - Rhode Island (Yankee) 72
Marshall (Ind.) 110 - #8 St. John's (NY) (Ind.) 107

Note: St. John's (NY) entered the MMI 8th in the AP poll, and dropped to 10th after their high-scoring loss to Marshall.  Marshall would enter the AP poll the following week at #20, and with only three losses in the regular season included in #2 Marquette, Marshall would climb as high as #8 before finishing #12 after the NCAA tournament.

1972 - 6th Annual
Fri. 12/15/1972
Marshall (Ind.) 82 - Baylor (SWC) 72
Princeton (Ivy) 61 - #2 Florida State (Ind.) 59

Sat. 12/16/1972
#2 Florida State (Ind.) 85 - Baylor (SWC) 67
Marshall 78 - Princeton (Ivy) 64

Note, Florida State was #2 in pre-season and weeks 1 and 2.  After the MMI, they fell to #7.  By the 1/23 poll, Florida State was 9-4 and unranked.

1973 - 7th Annual
Fri. 12/21/1973
Marshall (Ind.) 59 - Northwestern (Big Ten) 58
George Washington (Ind.) 91 - Texas A&M (SWC) 65

Sat. 12/22/1973
Texas A&M (SWC) 86 - Northwestern (Big Ten) 84
Marshall 81 (Ind.) - George Washington (Ind.) 62

1974 - 8th Annual
Fri. 12/13/1974
Oral Roberts (Ind.) 59 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 55
Marshall 90 - Long Island University (Ind.) 79

Sat. 12/14/1974
Idaho State (Big Sky) 60 - Long Island University (Ind.) 51
Marshall 82 - Oral Roberts (Ind.) 73

1975 - 9th Annual
Fri. 12/12/1975
Xavier (Ind.) 78 - Marshall (Ind.) 76
Kent State (MAC) 70 - Fordham (Ind.) 61

Sat. 12/13/1975
Marshall (Ind.) 86 - Fordham (Ind.) 72
Kent State (MAC) 79 - Xavier (Ind.) 71

"MMI tournament opens Dec. 12 "
The ninth annual Marshall Memorial Invitational basketball tournament opens Friday, Dec. 12, with the Thundering Herd pitted against Xavier University in the first round. Fordham University and Kent State will open the tournament in a 7 p.m. contest in Memorial Field House, followed by the Marshall-Xavier game.

The two winners will play for the championship Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. The consolation game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

While the tournament has provided basketball thrills consistently over the years, it's more than a game for Marshall and its students. During the last three years alone, the tournament-sponsored by the Marshall Alumni Association has pumped more than $50,000 directly into the university and its programs.

Dr. Robert P. Alexander, this year's tournament committee chairman, said funds raised by the tournament have been used to assist the Big Green Marching Band, the Athletic Department, student recruitment projects, various university organizations and the scholarship program.

During the past three years, the following allocations have been made:
-Marshall Athletic Department, $15 ,55 0.
-Marshall Music Department, $10,050.
-Alumni development; brochures and publications; Artists Series; Omicron Delta Kappa, Chess Club and various other student activities, $8,721.
-Student recruitment programs, $6,417.
-"Where the needs are greatest" fund, $5,000.
-Cam Henderson Scholarship, recognizing students who excel in academic as well as athletic endeavors, $4,800.

Dr. Alexander urged faculty and staff members to make a special effort to support the tournament this year since a successful tournament translates into additional financial support for university programs.

Reserved seat tickets for the tournament (four games) are being sold for $10 per set. General admission seating is $4 for each of the two nights. Student tickets are $2.50 per night.

Tickets are being sold in the Alumni Office in Memorial Student Center and at the Athletic Ticket Office in Gullickson Hall. Orders may be placed by phone with the Alumni Office, 696-3134.

1976 - 10th Annual
Fri. 12/10/1976
Idaho State (Big Sky) 88 - Georgia Tech (Metro) 72
Marshall 79 - Columbia (Ivy) 76

Sat. 12/11/1976
Georgia Tech (Merto) 80 - Columnbia (Ivy) 79
Marshall 98 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 88

1977 - 11th Annual
Fri. 12/9/1977
Auburn (SEC) 66 - Southern Illinois (MVC) 65
Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 99 - Marshall (Southern) 87

Sat. 12/10/1977
Southern Illinois (MVC) 66 - Marshall (Southern) 62
Auburn (SEC) 112 - Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 94

In 1978, we played in a WVU hosted invitation, losing to Duquesne and then to WVU in the consolidation.
In 1979, we returned to the WVU hosted invitational, beating Columbia and then losing to WVU by 10 in the championship.
In 1980, we played in a Maryland hosted invitational, getting blasted by #9 Maryland in the opener and beating Bowling Green in the consolidation.

1981 - 12th Marshall Memorial Invitational (1st at the Henderson Center)
Fri. 12/11/1981
Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 79 - Cornell (Ivy) 56
Marshall (Southern) 83 - Vermont (ECACN) 81

Sat. 12/12/1981
Vermont (ECACN) 63 - Cornell (Ivy) 58
Marshall 67 - Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 65

1982 - 13th MMI
Fri. 12/10/1982
Texas A&M (SWC) 82 - LaSalle (ECC) 74
Marshall 74 - Brown (Ivy) 65

Sat. 12/11/1982
LaSalle (ECC) 61 - Brown (Ivy) 59
Marshall 60 - Texas A&M (SWC) 58

1983 - 14th MMI
Fri. 12/9/1983
TCU (SWC) 53 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 52
Marshall 99 - New Hampshire (ECACN) 72

Sat. 12/10/1983
New Hampshire (ECACN) 69 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 58
Marshall 90 - TCU (SWC) 67

1984 - 15th MMI
Fri. 12/14/1984
Louisiana Tech (Southland) 80 - Alabama State (SWAC) 57T
Marshall 70 - Georgia Southern (Atlantic Sun) 69

Sat. 12/15/1984
Georgia Southern (Atlantic Sun) 91 - Alabama State (SWAC) 56
Louisiana Tech (Southland) 69 - Marshall 63

1985 - 16th MMI
Fri. 12/13/1985
Marshall 85 - Austin Peay (OVC) 69
Arkansas-Little Rock (Atlantic Sun) 70 - George Mason (CAA) 67

Sat. 12/14/1985
George Mason (CAA) 84 - Austin Peay (OVC) 62
Marshall 79 - Arkansas-Little Rock (Atlantic Sun) 76

1986 - 17th MMI
Fri. 12/5/1986
Austin Peay (OVC) 86 - Alcorn State (SWAC) 70
Marshall 72 - Radford (Big South) 61

Sat. 12/6/1986
Radford (Big South) 70 - Alcorn State (SWAC) 66
Austin Peay (OVC) 73 - Marshall 68

In 1987, Marshall played in a Hawaii invitational and won. The tournament included Hawaii, Idaho, and Radford.
In 1988, Marshall played in a Kentucky invitational, and losing to Arkansas State and then to UK in the consolation game.
In 1989, Marshall played in a Virginia invitational, beating Army in the opener and losing to the Cavaliers in the finale.

1990 - 18th MMI
Fri. 11/30/1990
Robert Morris (NEC) 105 - Texas A&M (SWC) 86
Marshall 92 - Mercer (Atlantic Sun) 64

Sat. 12/1/1990
Texas A&M (SWC) 72 - Mercer (Atlantic Sun) 65
Marshall 93 - Robert Morris (NEC) 90

1991 - 19th MMI
Fri. 12/6/1991
South Florida (Metro) 85 - Wyoming (WAC) 68
Oral Roberts 82 - Marshall 61

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - Derrick Sharp scored 20 points, including nine in a decisive run to start the second half, as South Florida beat Wyoming 85-68 in Friday's opening round of the Marshall Memorial Classic Tournament.
In the second game, Neal Sabastian scored 30 points, including five 3-pointers, as Oral Roberts routed Marshall 82-62 to move into today's title game against South Florida.
Sharp, who played just 22 minutes, hit a trio of 3-pointers as South Florida (4-0) increased its 39-29 halftime lead to a 22-point margin just 2:30 into the second half.
Reggie Slater and Maurice Alexander each scored 21 points, and Tim Breaux added 12 for Wyoming (3-1).
Wyoming coach Billy Dees said his team was simply outplayed.
"We just got a sound whipping," Dees said. "We're not that bad, but they're a better team than us. " South Florida dominated the boards on both ends, outrebounding Wyoming 45-26, as Gary Alexander had 14 rebounds and teammate David Williams added 11 off the bench.
"Rebounding is always important," said South Florida coach Bobby Paschal. "Wyoming has some strong people and they take pride in their rebounding. We've got some guys that are pretty strong, too, and they're also quick. " Fred Lewis added 14 points for South Florida.
South Florida used a 7-0 run to take an 11-4 lead with 16:26 to play in the first half, and its lead never fell below double figures after the 8:16 mark.
In the nightcap, Oral Roberts (2-4) led only 37-32 at halftime but shot 59.4 percent in the second half to break the game open.
Ray Thompson added 19 points, Scott Coleman added 12 and Brian Garner scored 11 for Oral Roberts Marshall (1-2) was led by Malik Hightower with 13 points and Michael Peck with 10. Other than Hightower, Oral Roberts held Marshall's starters to a combined 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Marshall and Wyoming will meet in today's consolation game.

Sat. 12/7/1991
Marshall 91 - Wyoming (WAC) 86
Oral Roberts (99) - South Florida (Metro) 92

In 1994, we played in a Cincinnati hosted event, beating UT-Martin in the opener and Canisus in the championship (who upset ranked UC in the opener).  After this time, the era of 4-team invitational died out.

[herdorbust]

I absolutely loved this as a kid. This probably more than anything got me hooked on Marshall basketball. I would go down and that tournament atmosphere with 4 teams was awesome. I still miss that tournament.

[The E-Man]

I absolutely loved this as a kid. This probably more than anything got me hooked on Marshall basketball. I would go down and that tournament atmosphere with 4 teams was awesome. I still miss that tournament.

I loved the MMI tournament as well. Every December we always marked it on the calendar to attend the games. Wish we could get sponsors to make it happen again.

[svherd]

Always enjoyed attending. Wish DD would bring it back.

[herdorbust]

I wish they could to, even if it was for just one year. Wonder if they could gather up enough sponsors to get it done.

[Flat Tire 2]

The event was originally called the Marshall Invitational and the name was changed to honor victims of the plane crash. It was a first class event and all the teams were provided  new cars and drivers by the Huntington auto dealers. I worked or volunteered a lot the early tournaments. Believe me, the teams were taken care of and pampered to the highest level.  As the word spread about the event through the college ranks, a lot of major teams wanted to came to Huntington to play.

As time went on, other tournaments started and the competition of good or well know teams became very tight. More money was offered to teams to play and better destinations were offered to participants; it finally killed the MU event. This is why the event stopped. I seriously doubt it could ever be revived to the level of the early years.

[Herdmeister]

Always enjoyed attending. Wish DD would bring it back.

You won't find 3 teams willing to give up 2 game spots for a tournament like that unless they can get over $150k each. No way we could ever get that type of money. Even if we sold out the Cam each night that couldn't happen.

[Always THE HERD]

You won't find 3 teams willing to give up 2 game spots for a tournament like that unless they can get over $150k each. No way we could ever get that type of money. Even if we sold out the Cam each night that couldn't happen.

~
And that my friends is the state of West Virginia my friends ("No way we could ever get that type of money", "Even if we sold out the Cam each night that couldn't happen")

[MUther]

"In 1978, we played in a WVU hosted invitation, losing to Duquesne and then to WVU in the consolidation."   

I think consolation might be the word you're looking for there and in similar lines. 

You should post this on the CUSA board.  They might find some of our history interesting since they all believe we've just sucked in perpetuity.

[coalherd]

Now the in season tournaments, unlike the exempt event that annually brings 3 nobodies or almost nobodies to the Cam, are almost always set up, orchestrated by, or coordinated with the likes of ESPN, who virtually televises every game in the event:  see Paradise JAM, preseason NIT, plethora of tourneys in Bahamas, Cancun, various Florida Venues, Orlando, etc., etc.
               
Ideal scenario I think would be for MU to continue to improve, get in and eventually find some success in the post season, NIT, etc.  That, in turn, would put MU on the radar to hopefully be invited in a subsequent season to one of said events.  Which would then give the Herd the opportunity to play NAME opponents on a NEUTRAL floor.  Something we don't see much of now. (Note:  2 years ago, the Herd played in a tournament in Vegas, I believe, in which we beat Wyoming, a team with a pretty good reputation over the years in BB, and then lost to Grand Canyon in the finals.  Closest thing to a "road win" until our exciting win over Toledo last night)!

Other than the above, look for more of the same:  home games against "traditional" opponents or "who dats", and a few very little chance to win road games against "Major" opponents, primarily for a nice $$$$$ payout.  In Danny's 4th season, we have had exactly TWO games in the CAM against "Major" foes:  games in his first year with South Carolina and Penn State.  Return games in home and home deals obtained by Herrion and Cline prior to DD's arrival.  Since then, NO home and home deals; only road games against "Name" foes.

[HaveUherd]

I remember the Mailman, 1984

[coalherd]

Don't know why I felt compelled to research some of the history of the Marshall Memorial Invitation.  Marshall's first invitational was in 1967, and there are some interesting historical points here.  The 1971 Tournament looks like it would have been a dandy to watch, and that championship game essentially was a Top 10-type matchup.  Looks like we getting quality opposition until most of the way through the 1980s when Oral Roberts and Austin Peay started showing up quite a bit.    We even had the #2 team in the nation play and fail to win it. 

I know the Global Sports Invitational is all the rage now, but how awesome would it be to put together another blow-out basketball event in the Cam with the D'Antoni show we have going now?

1967 - Inaugural Marshall Invitational
Wed. 12/20/1967
Manhattan (MCC) 75 - Bowling Green (MAC) 64
Marshall (MAC) 97 - Virginia (ACC) 89

Thu. 12/21/1967
Bowling Green (MAC) 76 - Virginia (ACC) 72
Marshall (MC) 85 - Manhattan (MCC) 78

1968 - 2nd Annual
Fri. 12/20/1968
Miami (FL) (Ind.) 77 - Yale (Ivy) 71
Maryland (ACC) 89 - Marshall (MAC) 80

Sat. 12/21/1968
Marshall (MAC) 77 - Yale (Ivy) 72
Miami (FL) (Ind.) 92 - Maryland (ACC) 85

1969 - 3rd Annual
Fri. 12/19/1969
Xavier (Ind.) 75 - New York University (Ind.) 68
Oklahoma (Big 8 ) 80 - Marshall (Ind.) 79

Sat. 12/20/1969
Marshall (Ind.) 94 - New York University (Ind.) 93
Xavier (Ind.) 101 - Oklahoma (Big 8 ) 89

1970 - 4th Annual
Fri. 12/18/1970
Mississippi (SEC) 99 - Holy Cross (Ind.) 93
Marshall (Ind.) 90 - Iowa State (Big 8 ) 66

Sat. 12/19/1970
Holy Cross (Ind.) 80 - Iowa State (Big 8 ) 64
Marshall (Ind.) 118 - Mississippi (SEC) 98

1971 - 5th Annual
Fri. 12/17/1971
#8 St. John's (NY) (Ind.) 85 - Rhode Island (Yankee) 75
Marshall (Ind.) 95 - Mississippi State (SEC) 69

Sat. 12/18/1971
Mississippi State (SEC) 86 - Rhode Island (Yankee) 72
Marshall (Ind.) 110 - #8 St. John's (NY) (Ind.) 107

Note: St. John's (NY) entered the MMI 8th in the AP poll, and dropped to 10th after their high-scoring loss to Marshall.  Marshall would enter the AP poll the following week at #20, and with only three losses in the regular season included in #2 Marquette, Marshall would climb as high as #8 before finishing #12 after the NCAA tournament.

1972 - 6th Annual
Fri. 12/15/1972
Marshall (Ind.) 82 - Baylor (SWC) 72
Princeton (Ivy) 61 - #2 Florida State (Ind.) 59

Sat. 12/16/1972
#2 Florida State (Ind.) 85 - Baylor (SWC) 67
Marshall 78 - Princeton (Ivy) 64

Note, Florida State was #2 in pre-season and weeks 1 and 2.  After the MMI, they fell to #7.  By the 1/23 poll, Florida State was 9-4 and unranked.

1973 - 7th Annual
Fri. 12/21/1973
Marshall (Ind.) 59 - Northwestern (Big Ten) 58
George Washington (Ind.) 91 - Texas A&M (SWC) 65

Sat. 12/22/1973
Texas A&M (SWC) 86 - Northwestern (Big Ten) 84
Marshall 81 (Ind.) - George Washington (Ind.) 62

1974 - 8th Annual
Fri. 12/13/1974
Oral Roberts (Ind.) 59 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 55
Marshall 90 - Long Island University (Ind.) 79

Sat. 12/14/1974
Idaho State (Big Sky) 60 - Long Island University (Ind.) 51
Marshall 82 - Oral Roberts (Ind.) 73

1975 - 9th Annual
Fri. 12/12/1975
Xavier (Ind.) 78 - Marshall (Ind.) 76
Kent State (MAC) 70 - Fordham (Ind.) 61

Sat. 12/13/1975
Marshall (Ind.) 86 - Fordham (Ind.) 72
Kent State (MAC) 79 - Xavier (Ind.) 71

1976 - 10th Annual
Fri. 12/10/1976
Idaho State (Big Sky) 88 - Georgia Tech (Metro) 72
Marshall 79 - Columbia (Ivy) 76

Sat. 12/11/1976
Georgia Tech (Merto) 80 - Columnbia (Ivy) 79
Marshall 98 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 88

1977 - 11th Annual
Fri. 12/9/1977
Auburn (SEC) 66 - Southern Illinois (MVC) 65
Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 99 - Marshall (Southern) 87

Sat. 12/10/1977
Southern Illinois (MVC) 66 - Marshall (Southern) 62
Auburn (SEC) 112 - Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 94

In 1978, we played in a WVU hosted invitation, losing to Duquesne and then to WVU in the consolidation.
In 1979, we returned to the WVU hosted invitational, beating Columbia and then losing to WVU by 10 in the championship.
In 1980, we played in a Maryland hosted invitational, getting blasted by #9 Maryland in the opener and beating Bowling Green in the consolidation.

1981 - 12th Marshall Memorial Invitational (1st at the Henderson Center)
Fri. 12/11/1981
Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 79 - Cornell (Ivy) 56
Marshall (Southern) 83 - Vermont (ECACN) 81

Sat. 12/12/1981
Vermont (ECACN) 63 - Cornell (Ivy) 58
Marshall 67 - Oklahoma State (Big 8 ) 65

1982 - 13th MMI
Fri. 12/10/1982
Texas A&M (SWC) 82 - LaSalle (ECC) 74
Marshall 74 - Brown (Ivy) 65

Sat. 12/11/1982
LaSalle (ECC) 61 - Brown (Ivy) 59
Marshall 60 - Texas A&M (SWC) 58

1983 - 14th MMI
Fri. 12/9/1983
TCU (SWC) 53 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 52
Marshall 99 - New Hampshire (ECACN) 72

Sat. 12/10/1983
New Hampshire (ECACN) 69 - Idaho State (Big Sky) 58
Marshall 90 - TCU (SWC) 67

1984 - 15th MMI
Fri. 12/14/1984
Louisiana Tech (Southland) 80 - Alabama State (SWAC) 57T
Marshall 70 - Georgia Southern (Atlantic Sun) 69

Sat. 12/15/1984
Georgia Southern (Atlantic Sun) 91 - Alabama State (SWAC) 56
Louisiana Tech (Southland) 69 - Marshall 63

1985 - 16th MMI
Fri. 12/13/1985
Marshall 85 - Austin Peay (OVC) 69
Arkansas-Little Rock (Atlantic Sun) 70 - George Mason (CAA) 67

Sat. 12/14/1985
George Mason (CAA) 84 - Austin Peay (OVC) 62
Marshall 79 - Arkansas-Little Rock (Atlantic Sun) 76

1986 - 17th MMI
Fri. 12/5/1986
Austin Peay (OVC) 86 - Alcorn State (SWAC) 70
Marshall 72 - Radford (Big South) 61

Sat. 12/6/1986
Radford (Big South) 70 - Alcorn State (SWAC) 66
Austin Peay (OVC) 73 - Marshall 68

In 1987, Marshall played in a Hawaii invitational and won. The tournament included Hawaii, Idaho, and Radford.
In 1988, Marshall played in a Kentucky invitational, and losing to Arkansas State and then to UK in the consolation game.
In 1989, Marshall played in a Virginia invitational, beating Army in the opener and losing to the Cavaliers in the finale.

1990 - 18th MMI
Fri. 11/30/1990
Robert Morris (NEC) 105 - Texas A&M (SWC) 86
Marshall 92 - Mercer (Atlantic Sun) 64

Sat. 12/1/1990
Texas A&M (SWC) 72 - Mercer (Atlantic Sun) 65
Marshall 93 - Robert Morris (NEC) 90

1991 - 19th MMI
Fri. 12/6/1991
South Florida (Metro) 85 - Wyoming (WAC) 68
Oral Roberts 82 - Marshall 61


Sat. 12/7/1991
Marshall 91 - Wyoming (WAC) 86
Oral Roberts (99) - South Florida (Metro) 92

In 1994, we played in a Cincinnati hosted event, beating UT-Martin in the opener and Canisus in the championship (who upset ranked UC in the opener).  After this time, the era of 4-team invitational died out.

Thanks!  Great summary!! And brought back some tremendous memories!!

The 1970 and 1971 tournaments were probably some of the most exciting games in MU basketball history.  Believe the tourneys, or at least finals were sold out at the old Field House.  Not sure if games were broadcast locally, probably on WSAZ, but game highlights were plentiful and shown several times after the games.

First, Ole Miss came in with the leading scorer in the country, a gunner by the name of Johnny Newman (Neuman??).  Herd played pretty decent D on him, he had an off night shooting, and got more visibly upset and emotional as the game progressed as Rebs fell farther and farther behind.  Crowd got on his case, too, big time!!

And the MU-St. Johns tourney final could easily rank as greatest win in Herd history (along with the Huck's Herd beat down of the EERS in first game in CAM when Charlie Jones starred).  St. Johns had a first team All American, athletic forward named Mel Daniels, I believe, super smooth, with inside and outside game.  He had a great night, but the Herd and a guy named Randy Noll had a GREATER night!  Noll was unstoppable, and unconscious, from the outside, especially from deep in the corners!!  And remember folks, both teams hit triple digits, and this was NOT a game in the 3 point era.  No telling what Noll might have hit point wise, with the trey being around!!

Great Memories - - -Thanks again!

[MUPE84]

Loved this tournament.  I saw Johnny Neuman for Ole Miss play against MU in 1970.

[Herdmeister]

Now the in season tournaments, unlike the exempt event that annually brings 3 nobodies or almost nobodies to the Cam, are almost always set up, orchestrated by, or coordinated with the likes of ESPN, who virtually televises every game in the event:  see Paradise JAM, preseason NIT, plethora of tourneys in Bahamas, Cancun, various Florida Venues, Orlando, etc., etc.
               
Ideal scenario I think would be for MU to continue to improve, get in and eventually find some success in the post season, NIT, etc.  That, in turn, would put MU on the radar to hopefully be invited in a subsequent season to one of said events.  Which would then give the Herd the opportunity to play NAME opponents on a NEUTRAL floor.  Something we don't see much of now. (Note:  2 years ago, the Herd played in a tournament in Vegas, I believe, in which we beat Wyoming, a team with a pretty good reputation over the years in BB, and then lost to Grand Canyon in the finals.  Closest thing to a "road win" until our exciting win over Toledo last night)!

Other than the above, look for more of the same:  home games against "traditional" opponents or "who dats", and a few very little chance to win road games against "Major" opponents, primarily for a nice $$$$$ payout.  In Danny's 4th season, we have had exactly TWO games in the CAM against "Major" foes:  games in his first year with South Carolina and Penn State.  Return games in home and home deals obtained by Herrion and Cline prior to DD's arrival.  Since then, NO home and home deals; only road games against "Name" foes.

I was in Las Vegas for that tournament. The other team there was Houston. The Cougars lost to Grand Canyon in the tournaments first game. That too was part of the Global event. We had played NC Central and Eastern Illinois earlier in the Cam.

[svherd]

I remember the Mailman, 1984

I believe that was Tom Curry's first game as well. Curry came in the game and dunked over the Mailman - crowd went nuts! Can anyone confirm that was his first game?

[2xBison]

I believe that was Tom Curry's first game as well. Curry came in the game and dunked over the Mailman - crowd went nuts! Can anyone confirm that was his first game?

I believe you are correct.  As I recall La Tech and the mailman were a replacement team into the tourney, I also believe Curry dunked on the mailman.  Pretty sure La Tech replaced Auburn and the round mound of rebound.....seems like I recall people anticipating Barkley being here and seeing him play against our parade all American.

[Herdmeister]

I believe that was Tom Curry's first game as well. Curry came in the game and dunked over the Mailman - crowd went nuts! Can anyone confirm that was his first game?

Absolutely correct

[whf]

Loved MMI time, and the MI tourney's before it. Great teams came into the CAM, it was new and the atmosphere was electric.  Games prior to it in the Field House were unreal scenes of college basketball.  Can we get back to that kind of excitement, where we treat every home game like one of those tourney games?  Sure hope so.

But I will say one thing that has to happen for us as fans to get back to those days is to start feeling good, and giving credit, to our opponents; particularly C-USA members.  This, IMHO, holds true for both basketball and football. 

[chris88]

I was able to be one of the students who got to drive the shuttle vans back and forth from hotel for practice etc in 1984. Part of doing that we were allowed to sit and watch practice.  Watching LT practice was almost as impressive as watching them play.  In that tourney, Malone dunked over people about 10 times.  He was also a nice and respectful guy.

LT was a top ten team. Andy Russo I believe was their coach.  They lost in NCAA tourney with a chance to go to elite 8 when Oklahoma's Waymon Tisdale made a short shot that rolled around the rim for a good 2-3 seconds before dropping through to send LT home.  Now that Malone is retired and LT is in our league they should bring him back to Hton in a couple of yrs for 35th anniversary ;)

[coalherd]

I was able to be one of the students who got to drive the shuttle vans back and forth from hotel for practice etc in 1984. Part of doing that we were allowed to sit and watch practice.  Watching LT practice was almost as impressive as watching them play.  In that tourney, Malone dunked over people about 10 times.  He was also a nice and respectful guy.

LT was a top ten team. Andy Russo I believe was their coach.  They lost in NCAA tourney with a chance to go to elite 8 when Oklahoma's Waymon Tisdale made a short shot that rolled around the rim for a good 2-3 seconds before dropping through to send LT home.  Now that Malone is retired and LT is in our league they should bring him back to Hton in a couple of yrs for 35th anniversary ;)

Funny you should mention LT and LA Tech.  I believe it was only a year or so ago, I believe, that LA Tech did some upgrades on their BB arena. I saw or read somewhere that Malone gave them some $$$ for some of the work, perhaps a new floor.  Not sure if they named the floor after him or not; someone else on here might know.  Good to see a great player like him giving back to his alma mater decades after he played there!!

[marshallmark]

The tournament in Morgantown was technically co-hosted by WVU and Marshall, as the "West Virginia Classic".