RIP, Rollie Massimino

[Tripping William]

Not a good week for the "prior generation" (as it were) of national championship coaches. Yesterday it was Jud Heathcoate. Today, Villanova's Rollie Massimono passed away (http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-08-30/rollie-massimino-villanova-basketball-coaching-legend-dies-82?cid=ncaammsocial_tw_sf110291340&sf110291340=1). His 1985 victory over Georgetown in the NCAA championship game has to rank as the biggest college basketball title-game upset ever, doesn't it?

[DukeFanSince1990]

Not a good week for the "prior generation" (as it were) of national championship coaches. Yesterday it was Jud Heathcoate. Today, Villanova's Rollie Massimono passed away (http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-08-30/rollie-massimino-villanova-basketball-coaching-legend-dies-82?cid=ncaammsocial_tw_sf110291340&sf110291340=1). His 1985 victory over Georgetown in the NCAA championship game has to rank as the biggest college basketball title-game upset ever, doesn't it?

Maybe tied with 83. But yeah, it was amazing they won.

[Tripping William]

Maybe tied with 83. But yeah, it was amazing they won.

I guess the tipping point for me is that, in 1985, Georgetown was the defending champs, and the Hoyas had gone 34-3 and beaten Houston in the title game in 1984 (although Clyde Drexler had moved on by then). And Georgetown was sitting at 35-2 when they met Nova (an 8-seed compared to State's being a 6-seed). And Nova shot 70+% from the floor to do it. But I agree: It's a great debate.

[Tom B.]

I guess the tipping point for me is that, in 1985, Georgetown was the defending champs, and the Hoyas had gone 34-3 and beaten Houston in the title game in 1984 (although Clyde Drexler had moved on by then). And Georgetown was sitting at 35-2 when they met Nova (an 8-seed compared to State's being a 6-seed). And Nova shot 70+% from the floor to do it. But I agree: It's a great debate.

And in both 1983 and 1985, the prohibitive favorite in the final game had beaten the only team that anyone thought might have a chance to beat them in the semifinals. Houston beat #2 Louisville in the 1983 semis, and Georgetown beat #3 St. John's (which had been ranked #1 for part of the season and had beaten Georgetown earlier that year) in the 1985 semis.

[Indoor66]

Rollie coached Villanova when Duke beat them in Providence to go to the Final Four in '78. That was the Dennard 360° dunk on a fast break game. Kenny had the biggest grin you have ever seen.

RIP Coach.

[brevity]

Here's a statement (http://www.kuseahawks.com/news/2017/8/30/mens-basketball-keiser-mourns-the-loss-of-legendary-basketball-coach-rollie-massimino.aspx?path=mbball) issued by Coach Massimino's employer, Keiser University of the NAIA.

A few months ago -- when Steve Fisher retired -- I wrote this in the Coaching Carousel thread (http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?39730):


This is bigger news than a first impression would indicate. Steve Fisher was one of the 11 active Division I college basketball coaches* with a national title. The circumstances were unusual, but he did win that title before the other 10: Coach K, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, Tom Izzo, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, Bill Self, John Calipari, Kevin Ollie, Jay Wright.

* This is a carefully worded phrase for a few reasons. First, Rollie Massimino is still coaching (http://www.kuseahawks.com/coaches.aspx?rc=54&path=mbball) at the NAIA level. Second, Billy Donovan is coaching in the NBA. Third, a handful of coaches with titles are alive but retired: Bobby Knight, Joe B. Hall, Jud Heathcote, Denny Crum, John Thompson, Larry Brown, Nolan Richardson, Jim Harrick, Lute Olson, Jim Calhoun, Gary Williams.

So now Coach K is the elder statesman by yet another measure, and the list of living national championship coaches are as follows:

ACTIVE

Coach K (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
Rick Pitino (1996, 2013)
Tubby Smith (1998)
Tom Izzo (2000)
Jim Boeheim (2003)
Roy Williams* (2005*, 2009*, 2017)
Billy Donovan (2006, 2007) -- NBA
Bill Self (2008)
John Calipari (2012)
Kevin Ollie (2014)
Jay Wright (2016)

RETIRED

Bobby Knight (1976, 1981, 1987)
Joe B. Hall (1978)
Denny Crum (1980, 1986)
John Thompson (1984)
Larry Brown (1988)
Steve Fisher (1989)
Nolan Richardson (1994)
Jim Harrick (1995)
Lute Olson (1997)
Jim Calhoun (1999, 2004, 2011)
Gary Williams (2002)

*subject to change

[DukeFanSince1990]

Here's a statement (http://www.kuseahawks.com/news/2017/8/30/mens-basketball-keiser-mourns-the-loss-of-legendary-basketball-coach-rollie-massimino.aspx?path=mbball) issued by Coach Massimino's employer, Keiser University of the NAIA.

A few months ago -- when Steve Fisher retired -- I wrote this in the Coaching Carousel thread (http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?39730):



So now Coach K is the elder statesman by yet another measure, and the list of living national championship coaches are as follows:

ACTIVE

Coach K (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
Rick Pitino (1996, 2013)
Tubby Smith (1998)
Tom Izzo (2000)
Jim Boeheim (2003)
Roy Williams* (2005*, 2009*, 2017)
Billy Donovan (2006, 2007) -- NBA
Bill Self (2008)
John Calipari (2012)
Kevin Ollie (2014)
Jay Wright (2016)

RETIRED

Bobby Knight (1976, 1981, 1987)
Joe B. Hall (1978)
Denny Crum (1980, 1986)
John Thompson (1984)
Larry Brown (1988)
Steve Fisher (1989)
Nolan Richardson (1994)
Jim Harrick (1995)
Lute Olson (1997)
Jim Calhoun (1999, 2004, 2011)
Gary Williams (2002)

*subject to change


*.....love it.

[Henderson]

Rollie coached Villanova when Duke beat them in Providence to go to the Final Four in '78. That was the Dennard 360° dunk on a fast break game.

It wasn't a 360 (just a reverse jam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tfBO9WWtF0)), but it sure was sweet.

RIP Coach. You were one of the good guys.

[TKG]

Rollie coached Villanova when Duke beat them in Providence to go to the Final Four in '78. That was the Dennard 360° dunk on a fast break game. Kenny had the biggest grin you have ever seen.

RIP Coach.

Was sitting courtside for that game. Foster was not amused but everyone else on the Duke bench loved it.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Here's a statement (http://www.kuseahawks.com/news/2017/8/30/mens-basketball-keiser-mourns-the-loss-of-legendary-basketball-coach-rollie-massimino.aspx?path=mbball) issued by Coach Massimino's employer, Keiser University of the NAIA.

A few months ago -- when Steve Fisher retired -- I wrote this in the Coaching Carousel thread (http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?39730):



So now Coach K is the elder statesman by yet another measure, and the list of living national championship coaches are as follows:

ACTIVE

Coach K (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
Rick Pitino (1996, 2013*)
Tubby Smith (1998)
Tom Izzo (2000)
Jim Boeheim (2003)
Roy Williams* (2005*, 2009*, 2017)
Billy Donovan (2006, 2007) -- NBA
Bill Self (2008)
John Calipari (2012)
Kevin Ollie (2014)
Jay Wright (2016)

RETIRED

Bobby Knight (1976, 1981, 1987)
Joe B. Hall (1978)
Denny Crum (1980, 1986)
John Thompson (1984)
Larry Brown (1988)
Steve Fisher (1989)
Nolan Richardson (1994)
Jim Harrick (1995)
Lute Olson (1997)
Jim Calhoun (1999, 2004, 2011)
Gary Williams (2002)

*subject to change
FIFY...

[Neals384]

Rollie was coach at Stony Brook when I was there.

[duketaylor]

IMO, State's victory was more surprising, may even Duke over UNLV (Duke was a 20-point dog). Not sure how big a dog 'Nova was. Doubt that big. Either way, a huge upset. Lost two legends this week, afraid who could be next as they seem to fall in threes.

[devildeac]

Plus, we'll always have this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7FFJUz0tdo

My hero.

[budwom]

yet another Vermont Catamount, again illustrating the dominance of Green Mountain hoops.

[dyemeduke]

IMO, State's victory was more surprising, may even Duke over UNLV (Duke was a 20-point dog). Not sure how big a dog 'Nova was. Doubt that big. Either way, a huge upset. Lost two legends this week, afraid who could be next as they seem to fall in threes.

Ever since I read the back of Ed Pickney's NBA Hoops basketball card as a little kid, I've been fascinated with Villanova's upset. Nova was an 8 point dog for their game against the Hoyas, but it seems like it was so much more. I fully admit that I was too young to appreciate it, and my understanding of the game is manufactured from documentaries and specials I've watched over the years on the game. To me, it's one of my favorite upsets in sports history. Rollie seemed like a great coach; RIP, I hope college sports does right by you and the many other great coaches that given their time and efforts to the athletes.

[budwom]

Ever since I read the back of Ed Pickney's NBA Hoops basketball card as a little kid, I've been fascinated with Villanova's upset. Nova was an 8 point dog for their game against the Hoyas, but it seems like it was so much more. I fully admit that I was too young to appreciate it, and my understanding of the game is manufactured from documentaries and specials I've watched over the years on the game. To me, it's one of my favorite upsets in sports history. Rollie seemed like a great coach; RIP, I hope college sports does right by you and the many other great coaches that given their time and efforts to the athletes.

The fact that Villanova rarely missed a shot made it seem so fantastic. 13 for 18 in the first half, 9 for 10 in the second, 79%.

[Indoor66]

The fact that Villanova rarely missed a shot made it seem so fantastic. 13 for 18 in the first half, 9 for 10 in the second, 79%.

At 79% they would have beaten almost anyone!

[Turk]

For many of the loyalists of the other Philly Big 5 schools, Massimino still gets blamed for ending the round-robin City Series in the 1990's, even though it was later revived. This old Grantland piece is a good intro to the Big 5. I liked the descriptions of the Big 5 "family", alas, Drexel is still the "unloved stepchild..." As a transplant, I found myself liking the scrappy underdogs at St Joe's, although I like Jay Wright a lot.

Big 5 Philly Hoops (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/big-5-still-gives-philly-a-reason-to-cheer/)

Money quote:

"In fairness to Massimino, the decision to discontinue the citywide round-robin was made by the higher-ups in the athletic department, citing the school’s new commitments to the ever-expanding Big East. But Massimino took the brunt of the criticism. (Over the years, he had made no secret of his disdain for having to play the other city schools.)"

[zippy_the_cat]

Houston beat #2 Louisville in the 1983 semis

And when someone says "beat," they really mean beat down. Houston walloped a very good Louisville team. I watched, and it was not as close as the final score might suggest.

[Reilly]

The fact that Villanova rarely missed a shot made it seem so fantastic. 13 for 18 in the first half, 9 for 10 in the second, 79%.

And every shot/possession was fraught with tension -- pressure-packed. Sort of like 2010 Duke/Butler in feel.