Can you name these 78 Cats?
- Thread starter ohiodon
- Start date
I'll guess at individuals, but they're all CHAMPS!! That team (as upperclassmen) would thump our current young team. They were men physically who played a bruising, tough game on both ends.
Lee...Givens...Williams?...Claytor...Shidler...Cowans?
Lee...Givens...Williams?...Claytor...Shidler...Cowans?
Left to right:
Fred Cowan - Jack Givens - James Lee - Truman Claytor - Tim Stephens - Lavon Williams
Fred Cowan - Jack Givens - James Lee - Truman Claytor - Tim Stephens - Lavon Williams
How could you possibly know this? I hate when people compare teams from the 60s,70s, and 80s, to teams today. How would you ever know that the 78 team would beat this team? Which by the way is on an historic pace defensively and undefeated at the current moment.
My high school coach.
The most unbelievable shooter I've ever seen. Could shoot from 35 feet out and not alter his form at all. There used to be one of those halftime halfcourt contests during girls' games, and people would put Coach Stephens' name into the bucket. He hit the shot so many times the sponsor (Arby's, FTW) had to discontinue the contest.
When he got really ticked at us he'd show us his national championship ring, which was always frightening and awesome.
Great pic. I scrapbooked that season with newspaper clippings throughout the season. I nearly had a heart attack when that team got down 20 points to Florida State in the NCAA tournament and Coach Hall benched most of the starters to start the 2nd half and played Lavon and Freddie as I recall. They dove on the floor and had extreme hustle for about 5 minutes and kept the score about even, then the starters came in and won the game. Gutsiest thing Coach Hall ever did IMO.
Did we really get down 20 to Florida State? I remember a 7 or 8 point deficit at the half and Hugh Durham coaching that team. Round of 32 which I think at the time was the first round, correct?
If I remember right, someone help me, Levon, Casey and someone else were late for a team bus during the regular season and Joe B. left them. They were later the ones that he inserted after the half against Florida State.
If I remember right, someone help me, Levon, Casey and someone else were late for a team bus during the regular season and Joe B. left them. They were later the ones that he inserted after the half against Florida State.
wkycatfan,
I still remember a ton of us students watching the FSU game on a big screen t.v. in the Student Union (and a big screen t.v. was a new thing). Gutsy? People were screaming at the television at Hall when he benched the starters. After all, this was the NCAA tourney and 78 Kentucky had been similar to this year's team where everyone was expecting a National Championship. Instead, it appeared that Hall was going to make a point to his players rather than win the game. The venom being spewed in the Student Union was similar to this site after a loss (laugh). I remember Hall inserted players like Dwayne Casey who had not seen much playing time and he grabbed an offensive rebound and was mixing it up physically with several other Kentucky subs against FSU. When Cal talks about energy and effort that was what they were doing. They kept Kentucky in the game and then when Hall finally put back in the starters, FSU had been worn down and Kentucky took control. I believe Hall's entire career was on the line with that game so the word gutsy just begins to describe his decision. But, I don't recall that the deficit was 20 as there was no shot clock or 3 point shot so that would have been a lot to overcome.
What is equally interesting is how come I am still the same in appearance as I was in college and yet the players look so old now?????? Uh-oh.
I still remember a ton of us students watching the FSU game on a big screen t.v. in the Student Union (and a big screen t.v. was a new thing). Gutsy? People were screaming at the television at Hall when he benched the starters. After all, this was the NCAA tourney and 78 Kentucky had been similar to this year's team where everyone was expecting a National Championship. Instead, it appeared that Hall was going to make a point to his players rather than win the game. The venom being spewed in the Student Union was similar to this site after a loss (laugh). I remember Hall inserted players like Dwayne Casey who had not seen much playing time and he grabbed an offensive rebound and was mixing it up physically with several other Kentucky subs against FSU. When Cal talks about energy and effort that was what they were doing. They kept Kentucky in the game and then when Hall finally put back in the starters, FSU had been worn down and Kentucky took control. I believe Hall's entire career was on the line with that game so the word gutsy just begins to describe his decision. But, I don't recall that the deficit was 20 as there was no shot clock or 3 point shot so that would have been a lot to overcome.
What is equally interesting is how come I am still the same in appearance as I was in college and yet the players look so old now?????? Uh-oh.
I just found this write-up,
"When Kentucky took the floor at the start of the second half - the entire Big Blue Nation could be heard yelling at the TV in shock! Coach "Hall's starting lineup for the second half included Fred Cowan(#40right), a gangling, shy freshman who has scored in only seven games; Dwayne Casey, a Junior guard who has played only seven minutes in the previous six games; and LaVon Williams, a sophomore forward who, during one stretch, scored only two points in five games."[/I]
"When Kentucky took the floor at the start of the second half - the entire Big Blue Nation could be heard yelling at the TV in shock! Coach "Hall's starting lineup for the second half included Fred Cowan(#40right), a gangling, shy freshman who has scored in only seven games; Dwayne Casey, a Junior guard who has played only seven minutes in the previous six games; and LaVon Williams, a sophomore forward who, during one stretch, scored only two points in five games."[/I]
This game is available online somewhere (maybe that UKbasketballlive or whatever it's called) and I watched it recently for the first time.
They were never down 20 points, but they were down several possessions well into the second half. I can sense that there was a sense of panic from UK fans because they just couldn't seem to get over the hump and FSU was gaining confidence as the game progressed.
You are right Godfather. At UKbasektballlive, the halftime score was 39-32, with Macy, Casey, Cowen, Williams, and Phillips starting the 2nd half.
I can remember Coach Hall saying on the post game, that he decided that if they were going to lose that game, they were going to lose it with players who would hustle.
This post was edited on 1/22 8:01 AM by wkycatfan
Loved it when the Goose turned loose against Duke. What a silky smooth jumper he had. The Arkansas game was a tough one also just prior to the Duke game. That was still back when they had a consolation game with Arkansas and Notre Dame playing for 3rd place. And James Lee was one bad man. I am surprised he never tore a rim loose from the backboard with his dunks.
This post was edited on 1/22 10:35 AM by ArkansasCatsFan
This post was edited on 1/22 10:35 AM by ArkansasCatsFan
Great memories. At the last minute, I decided to go to the game. Drove over from Western Kentucky and bought a ticket outside the Checker Dome from a Notre Dame fan who had just watched his team lose to Duke. Paid face value and sat in the end zone. I still remember clearly how James Lee ended the game with a driving layup.
I remember Joe B, in discussing Robey and Givens after the game, saying:
"I wanted our All-Americans sitting on the bench to start the second half so they could sign autographs."
Many weeks/months/years after that game, a portion of UK fans STILL hated Joe for doing that, even though it worked.
Still second-guessing his decision to bench Givens and Robey while trailing by 7-points at half.
Can you imagine if corporal bobby knight had pulled that stunt? IU fans would STILL be talking about the greatness of that coaching move. Not to mention a Vitale and/or anyone else with knowledge of College Bball history.....it would still be discussed. Or if a Crum or a Digger or a Dean Smith..........
"Oh! The genius of The General !!! What a coaching move, baybee!!!!"
FACT! Those guys would have been hailed as absolute geniuses!!! Joe? Just a lucky tactical move.
And because it was Joe.....well.....you get my drift.
I, for one, think Joe showed guts and attitude (ie: testicles) in pulling that coaching move.
And it worked!!!
And I can tell you some Adolph "motivational" stories along the same lines. Gee, makes one wonder where Joe got the idea!
Ever hear the one about Adolph making Alex Groza play with one of Herky's toys during practice?
Way to go, Joe!
Kentucky Wildcats - 1978 NCAA Champions!
"I wanted our All-Americans sitting on the bench to start the second half so they could sign autographs."
Many weeks/months/years after that game, a portion of UK fans STILL hated Joe for doing that, even though it worked.
Still second-guessing his decision to bench Givens and Robey while trailing by 7-points at half.
Can you imagine if corporal bobby knight had pulled that stunt? IU fans would STILL be talking about the greatness of that coaching move. Not to mention a Vitale and/or anyone else with knowledge of College Bball history.....it would still be discussed. Or if a Crum or a Digger or a Dean Smith..........
"Oh! The genius of The General !!! What a coaching move, baybee!!!!"
FACT! Those guys would have been hailed as absolute geniuses!!! Joe? Just a lucky tactical move.
And because it was Joe.....well.....you get my drift.
I, for one, think Joe showed guts and attitude (ie: testicles) in pulling that coaching move.
And it worked!!!
And I can tell you some Adolph "motivational" stories along the same lines. Gee, makes one wonder where Joe got the idea!
Ever hear the one about Adolph making Alex Groza play with one of Herky's toys during practice?
Way to go, Joe!
Kentucky Wildcats - 1978 NCAA Champions!
Poor Joe B. Tubby was beloved compared to Joe B. I, and I'm sure many of you, defended Joe B. at every opportunity. The urinals at halftimes were pure Joe B. bashing. He actually did a good job following a legend and resurrecting a program that was sliding backward. I can't even imagine what this messageboard would have been like during his era.
My dad graduated at Union County with Freddy Cowan and went to UK with him. At the same time my aunt was a cheerleader at UK and dating Larry Johnson (another UC grad playing at UK.) Freddy didn't have a car and would ride home with me dad and aunt when they made their trips back to Morganfield. I have got to meet him a few times. Him and Goose were the only two I could recognize from that pic. They were a little before my time.
I watched the FSU - Kentucky 78' game in the living room of an FSU friend. There were five of us in the room and I was the only UK fan. My feelings at halftime were such that my stomach was sick. I was being brutalized and laughed at. Then the second half started and Joe B had benched some starters. Brutalization turned to total destruction from my friends. Then the momentum started turning and the room fell silent. Except for one person. Me.
The only game better for me that NCAA title run was being Magic Johnson's Michigan State team. Watching Kyle Macy hit those free throws was like ice water in his veins. Swish, swish.
The only game better for me that NCAA title run was being Magic Johnson's Michigan State team. Watching Kyle Macy hit those free throws was like ice water in his veins. Swish, swish.
The '78 team was the first I really got into. I had just turned 10 when they began their tourney run. You want to see how to run offense? Watch some old videos of that '78 team on Youtube and compare it to todays game. It's like you're looking at something completely alien. The movement, the passing and the skill level were all better. The only two things the current team has on that '78 squad are athleticism and shorts that don't restrict blood flow.
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Interesting about the scrapbooking. Did the same thing but at the end I had my mom take all the clippings and decoupage them on a big board which I presented to Coach Hall. It was hung in Wildcat Lodge for a time.
I have a book stashed away somewhere that was a collection of all the newspaper articles printed by the H-L, C-J and even some from opposing team papers. It may have been printed by the C-J and/or the H-L just after the Championship. Very cool piece of memorabilia.
My first experience as a fan was with the 1975 team, so I had kind of followed the Givens/Lee/Robey/Phillips class their entire career. My dad got pretty upset during the UCLA game, especially when Wooden walked out onto the court. The fix was in once Wooden announced his retirement the day before IMO.
I had a feeling about 77/78, so I clipped newspaper clippings from every game and glued them to poster board. They were in my mom's attic for several years, she later asked me if I wanted them and I decided to toss them.
I really regret that now.
This post was edited on 1/22 12:18 PM by wkycatfan
I had a feeling about 77/78, so I clipped newspaper clippings from every game and glued them to poster board. They were in my mom's attic for several years, she later asked me if I wanted them and I decided to toss them.
I really regret that now.
This post was edited on 1/22 12:18 PM by wkycatfan
The season without celebration. LOL! Just a little bit of pressure on that team.
The blonde bomber, Kyle wiping his hands on his socks before a FT, James Lee with the thunderous dunks, silky smooth Goose, and Rick and Mike being the original bruise brothers.
Some damn good memories there.
The blonde bomber, Kyle wiping his hands on his socks before a FT, James Lee with the thunderous dunks, silky smooth Goose, and Rick and Mike being the original bruise brothers.
Some damn good memories there.
I was at the 1978 game in Knoxville with 8 buddies that traveled from eastern Kentucky in two cars. I remember Coach Hall starting a different lineup to begin the second half. We all just sat and stared at one a other in disbelief. But his plan worked. Personally I don't think he had to do that to win, they were going to win regardless. FSU had their little run in the first half but I knew it was going to last against that Kentucky team.
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