Tales From The Syracuse Hardwood

A collection of first-hand accounts, personal recollections, and anecdotes that trace the history of the Syracuse University basketball team.

Orange is a state of mind for fans of Syracuse University basketball. Think Orange and images of greatness appear, from Vic Hanson in the Roaring ’20s through Carmelo Anthony in the 21st century. Think Orange and the sounds of glory are heard, from old Archbold Gym to the gleaming Carrier Dome. Think Orange and the memories of 1,607 victories are stirred, from SU’s first win in 1901 over Cornell to its 2003 triumph over Kansas that brought home the national championship. Many of the stories that have contributed to the phenomenon known as Orangemen basketball now come to life in Bud Poliquin’s updated edition of Tales from the Syracuse Orange's Locker Room. Dave Bing, Jim Boeheim, Jim Brown (yes, he played hoops, too), Bouie and Louie, Leo Rautins, Pearl Washington, and Derrick Coleman—all of them and numerous other SU legends join Hanson and Anthony in the pages of this anecdotal anthology of Syracuse University basketball, certain to complete the bookshelf of any Orange fan. This book looks at the team’s infamous 27-game losing streak in the early 1960s; Roy’s Runts; the Pearl’s stunning half-court buzzer-beater that knocked off Boston College in 1984; the fabulous Final Four runs of 1975, 1996, 2003, 2013, and 2016; and Anthony’s freshman brilliance that delivered the school’s first-ever NCAA tournament title in 2006.

A list of legends is significant not only for who makes the list, but who gets left off of it. If there are no obvious omissions, then the list of candidates was probably less than legendary in the first place. Not so in the case of the Syracuse University Orangemen. Calling roll on Syracuse's all-time basketball greats can take up the greater part of a day. The school produced its first All-American, Lewis Castle, in 1912. Most recently, Carmelo Anthony, one of the best freshmen to ever play college basketball, led the 2003 Orangemen to the school's first NCAA championship. In between there were legends such as the incomparable Dave Bing, Roosevelt Bouie, and Louis Orr, who together formed the Louie and Bouie Show, along with names like Derrick Coleman, Sherman Douglas, Lawrence Moten, and John Wallace. Legends of Syracuse Basketball features 24 players, one coach, and one special team. Within the book's pages are stories straight from the legends' teammates, their coaches, and the legends themselves. Of the players mentioned, 17 played in the NBA. More telling of the greatness of the Syracuse University basketball program is the fact that 10 Orangemen who played in the NBA did not make this list of legends. The same is true of record holders, All-Americans, and more fan favorites than are possible to count.

ESPN basketball commentator Digger Phelps is regarded as one of the most charismatic and opinionated analysts in the profession. And he was the same personality during his 20 years as the head coach at the University of Notre Dame. Digger Phelps's Tales from the Notre Dame Hardwood recalls the most successful period in Notre Dame basketball history. In his 20 seasons. 17 of Phelps's teams advanced to postseason play, including 14 NCAA Tournament teams. In the book, Phelps recalls his initial expression of interest in Notre Dame through a 1965 letter he wrote to football coach Ara Parseghian. It recounts the scenes of his seven wins over number one-ranked teams, including the landmark game in 1974 when the Irish ended UCLA's 88-game winning streak. Two chapters concentrate on the coach's former Notre Dame players, concluding with the selection of his All-Digger teams. He also recalls the 20 Hall of Fame coaches he competed against, including Bobby Knight, Al McGuire, Ray Meyer, and John Wooden. Digger Phelps's Tales from the Notre Dame Hardwood concludes with a chapter entitled Domers, which documents Phelps's relationship with Notre Dame coaches, administrators, and student-athletes, including Father Theodore Hesburgh, the man who made Notre Dame what it is today.

Take a bunch of nice kids, dump in gobs of fiery Italian seasoning, mix in copious measures of robust Augustinian teaching, and stir gently for four years. That's the winning recipe that transformed April Fool's Day 1985 into a feast for underdogs and everymen everywhere. March Madness maddened to the max that year with the crowning of perhaps the NCAA Tournament's most unlikely champion, the Villanova Wildcats. The most unlikely and perhaps the most liked team to ever win the championship, the Villanova kids won the nation over with courtesy and class more than jump shots and slam dunks. The NCAA final was supposed to be a slam dunk for Georgetown, the defending national champions. But 'Nova never buckled under Hoya Paranoia, the fear factor that paralyzed most Georgetown opponents in the John Thompson era. Paternal coach Rollie Massimino drilled commitment, loyalty, and honor into his family as much as Xs and Os. The result was a poised, disciplined, and undaunted quintet who played what some have called the perfect basketball game where they sizzled the cords with unprecedented 78.6 percent shooting accuracy. Wildcat icon Ed Pinckney, along with teammates and other members of Coach Mass's family, relate the tale of how Villa-nowhere, as the 'Cats were dubbed before April 1, fooled the whole world.

Most Syracuse fans and alumni have seen a game at Carrier Dome, have seen highlights of a young Dwight Freeney and Carmelo Anthony, and know the story of the 2003 NCAA National Champion men’s basketball team. But only real fans know the history of Archbold Stadium, the words to “Down the Field,” or what Otto the Orange’s name could have been originally. 100 Things Syracuse Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of the Syracuse Orange and, whether you’re a die-hard booster from the days of Jim Brown or a current student at the university, these are the 100 things all fans needs to know and do in their lifetime. Author Scott Pitoniak has collected every essential piece of Orange knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

Marquette University Men's Basketball has a long and storied tradition. Tales of Marquette Basketball takes a look at the high, and low points from McGuire to Crean and everything in between by weaving personal interviews with many great Marquette players and coaches including Hank Raymonds, Rick Majerus, Mike Deane, Tom Crean, Glenn 'Doc' Rivers, Jim Mcllvaine, Travis Diener and Tony Smith as they give insight to memorable moments, both on and off the court. Under the colorful Coach Al McGuire, Marquette University basketball flourished as one of the top collegiate programs in the country. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the super salesman made successful pitches to some of America's finest young players. These young men experienced an entirely different way of life. But the life lessons they learned from Al prepared them for success-in the basketball arena-and beyond. Behind the scenes stories, based on numerous interviews, will help give unique insight to this mesmerizing personality. Of course, the focal point is that magic carpet ride to the 1977 NCAA Championship! Many observers wondered if the once proud Marquette program would ever again approach the standards set by Al McGuire. Exit Bob Dukiet, enter Kevin O'Neill, in 1989. The ultra intense assistant coach at Arizona used salty language, but in his fifth season at the helm, K.O. took Marquette to the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen. In his fourth season, Crean and All-American Dwyane Wade led Marquette to the Conference USA championship and a return to the Final Four! Somehow, the Marquette program had come full circle. Before his death, Al McGuire spent hours just talking with Tom Crean. In some ways, Al became the father Tomnever had. We hope you enjoy these Tales of Marquette Basketball.

With a foreword by current coach Phil Martelli, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die recounts the storied history of St. Joe's basketball through the eyes and eras of its great coaches. Hawk Hall of Fame coach (and former NBA Coach of the Year) Jack McKinney studs the fast-moving account with poignant and humorous anecdotes. Jack and author Bob Gordon interview hundreds of former and current players, coaches, Hawk mascots, and fans who add a trove of zippy Hawk lore. There's a lot of lore. St. Joe's has competed in parts of 11 decades standing toe to toe with all the big guys of college hoops. The Hawks have tumbled many a Goliath in chalking up over 1000 wins--more wins than all but a couple dozen other colleges in the entire nation. The book gives an in-depth profile of Jack McKinney from his youth in Chester to his two NBA championship rings. You'll also chuckle at the inside story of the Hawk mascot, which ESPN chose as college basketball's best. The Phillie Phanatic (a former Hawk himself) guest authors in the mascot chapter. All the memorable wins and heart breaking defeats are recaptured. Through the prism of 45 years, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die looks back at the heart breaking 1960 point-shaving scandal. Up-close-and-personal profiles of Hawk stars like George Senesky, Matty Guokas, Cliff Anderson, Mike Bantom, Jameer Nelson, and Delante West stud the narrative. Palestra and Big Five lore abounds. Past and present Big Five coaches pick their all-time Big Five teams and recount their greatest memories. Finally, hilarious tales about Hawk teams playing overseas spice a must-read entertaining and informative book for collegebasketball lovers everywhere.