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Posted on Nov 19th, 2015, 12:08 PM, , User Since 227 months ago, User Post Count: 1475

Nov 19th, 2015, 12:08 PM
227 months

1475

A ..I did a piece on the greatest height-challenged teams in NCAA history. The notes remain. Although big men were around (Russell, Wilt, Imhoff, Lanier, Alcindor et al) most of the really good small teams seems to have come in the 60-76 period.

What constitutes an undersized team? For my purposes it's no starter over 6'8 with a frontcourt average of 6'7 (or less). This eliminates the '71 Penn team -a favorite- and '70 Notre Dame. Reserves who are6'8+ must play limited minutes. Of course being undersized in the 60's,70's was different as strength coaches were an anomaly and certainly no PED's in play. Being undersized then compared to now is different.


#1 UCLA '64 (30-0) 6'5c (6'5,6'3 f's) 6'2,6'1 g's. Bruins had three future NBA players in their SL including HOF'er Gail Goodrich. Opponents withered under 40 min. zone press: was passive encouraging long passes/turnovers rather than going for steals. Spectacular guards: Hazzard a fabulous passer. Goodrich could penetrate any defense. This was a great team but they had several close g's. Not as dominant as record indicates.

#2 Michigan '76 (25-7) 6'7c (6'6,6'3 f's) 6'2,6'1 g's. NCAA runnerup (losing to IU's undefeated juggernaut) had stunning quickness. IMO would have shredded UCLA's vaunted press and beat them 7/10 times. They could run, finish in post and hit outside shots. Yes I saw them at the PCCC.

#3 Kentucky '66 (27-2) 6'6c (6'4,6'4 f's) 6'5, 6'0 g's. Misunderstood Rupp's Runts should have beat Texas Western for title. Formerly a man-to-man guy Coach Rupp claims to have invented the 1-3-1 zone for this club. Took 23 more shots than TW and still lost (Pat Reilly had terrible game)? Beat a physical Michigan team featuring Cazzie Russell in semi. Starters all scored double-fig: shooting team without the "3."

#4 Providence '65 (24-2) 6'7c (6'4,6'2 f's) 6'4, 6'3 g's. Two pro futures and NCAA leading scorer Jimmy Walker ('67). Beat rival St Joe twice in '65. Without sine qua non post Dexter Westbrook (Jr) they lose twice in '66 to Hawks. Had a 17-0 start (losing in cramped 'Nova Field House).

#5 St Josephs '66 (24-5) 6'6c (6'5,6'4 f's) 6'6, 5'11 g's. Great team called the "most cohesive" in US by SI in preseason #1 ranking. Relied on patterned offensive and complex zones (introducing box/one, triangle/two).

#6 Drake '69 (26-5) 6'6c (6'6, 6'4 f's) 6'3,6'2 g's. Got to a regional final and played Alcindor/UCLA better than anyone in three seasons. Three future pros in SL.

#7 Davidson '69 (27-3) 6'7c (6'6,6'5 f's) 6'3, 6'1 g's. Like this team/school(Davidson an all male 1000 student body). Lefty Driesell had great final season before leaving for ACC. Made regional final losing to Carolina.

#8 Marquette '69 (24-5) 6'5c (6'5,6'2 f's) 6'3, 6'1 g's. Regional runner-up was a team full of leapers and slashers. Dean Meminger future NYN. Lost to Big-10 champ Purdue. Outside shooting challenged.

#9 Fordham '71 (26-3) 6'5c (6'5,6'2 f's) 6'2,6'1 g's. Digger was one and done with this press-happy crew.

#10 Louisville '74 (21-7) 6'5c (6'5,6'1 f's) 6'4, 6'2 g's. Team of athletic jumpers. Junior Bridgeman a great 3-man and G Allen Murphy unlimited range.


Conclusion: Teams with size concerns must play with a dedicated team concept (eg. St.Joes). They must rely on a strong creative defense (UCLA). First-rate outside shooting is essential (UK). A small team must have at least two pro caliber players capable of making big shots and closing out close games (Michigan, Drake, Providence). Michigan is the best size-challenged team I've seen and that includes the two discs I've viewed of the great Bruin team of '64.


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