The Unforgettables

You probably have figured out by now I'm a Florida
Gator fan. Convenient how we won March Madness
this year just when I needed something to write about,
wasn't it? All part of my master plan, grasshopper.

But unless you read my bio you may not know I'm also
a huge Kentucky Wildcat fan. Of course I was born
and raised in the Bluegrass State, so my fanaticism is
probably genetic.

There is one team we Kentucky fans call simply, 'The
Unforgettables'. You see Kentucky had been rocked
by scandal a couple of years before and was on NCAA
probation which led to transfers en mass, and recruits
avoiding the Big Blue like the plague.

Rick Pitino had been brought in as coach in 1989 to
effect a rejuvenation but still they sunk to an
unthinkable 13 - 19 record the year before the game
I'll never forget - the NCAA regional finals in
Philadelphia against defending the defending
champion Duke Blue Devils.

There was a core of four seniors who'd always
dreamed of playing at Kentucky who stuck it out
through the hard times, and that's why they're so
fondly remembered. Richie Farmer, John Pelphrey,
Deron Feldhaus, and SeanWood are all overachievers
who will hold a special place in Kentucky lore for as
long as basketball is played there.

You also have to throw talented sophmore Jamal
Mashburn into the mix, and don't forget one of the
assistant coaches taking it all in from his youthful
vantage point was this year's championship coach
BillyDonovan.

That team wasn't given much of a chance against
Duke in the tournament in 1992 with Bobby Hurley,
Christian Laettner, and Grant Hill in the fold, and
indeed Duke was up 12 in the 2nd half and cruising.
But a patented Pitino press brought the Wildcats
back, and the last few minutes of regulation and
the first overtime produced some of the most
compelling basketball I have ever seen. Laettner
seemed like he couldn't miss, and indeed the box
score later showed he couldn't.

As time wore down in OT it looked like Sean Wood
had produced the ultimate last second miracle shot,
but Duke managed to call time out with 2.1 seconds
to play, down by 1. All they needed to do was advance
the ball the length of the court and score.

I'm sure you remember Grant Hill's 75 ft overhand
pass to Christian Laettner who was double-teamed.
Pelfrey missed tipping the ball away by a fingernail,
and then backed off so as not to foul. Feldhaus too. Of course
Laettner didn't panic and even had time to fake one
way and turn back the other before he drained the
winning 17 footer.

I'd venture to say the whole state of Kentucky was
frozen in shock beyond belief in total denial, but more
so because this particular team deserved to win if any
team had ever deserved to win. They had gone toe to
toe with the defending champs and had proven their
mettle in a game that could only itself be described as
unforgettable.

The scoreboard might have said 103 - 102, but they'll
always be winners in my book.

Shoot for the Stars

Dean - The Dean of Hoops

P.S. I believe everybody has it in them to be
unforgettable at something. Sometimes it just takes
a caring parent, good friend, visionary teacher, or
great coach to get you believing in yourself. In the
realm of shooting baskets Coach Tom Nordland is
just such a coach. Take the time now to learn how to
unlock the unforgettable shooter you have trapped
inside you at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish.html

P.S.S Swish 1 is an introduction to Tom's groundbreaking
methods. Swish 2 is his masterpiece. Order it today at:
http://www.deandelker.com/swish2_order.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006