1983

April 4th, 1983

We weren't even supposed to be in the NCAA Tournament.

This was long before expansion to 64 teams. In 1983 only the ACC Tournament winner was assured of getting into the NCAA's. With few 'at large' spots available back then - maybe 2 other teams from the ACC might get invited. Probably Virginia with Ralph Sampson, Carolina, Maryland if they're lucky.

State, with injuries, had mounted up double digit losses. In 1983, no team with double digit losses got an 'at large' bid.

But we won the ACC Tournament.

Automatic Bid.

Of course, we could get bounced out the very first game. Out by the second game for sure.

So what the heck are we doing playing the University of Houston in the Championship Game? This was Phi Slama Jama - with future NBA superstars Akeem Olajuwon, Clyde “The Glide” Drexler, Greg “Cadillac” Anderson!

Heck, 4 additional guys from this team were drafted by the NBA.

And how did we get past Virginia and UNLV anyway?

Houston, basically a pro team in college, will put us in our place. They'll slam us down in the first half. It won't even be close . . .

(Check out how young Brent Musburger is! Also notice how long Musburger and Billy Packer go without saying anything after the end - they were left speachless.)



I watched the games at Mitch’s Tavern on Hillsborough Street except for the final which I watched with a bunch of friends at one guy’s trailer on Western Blvd (where the Taco Bell is now).

The early round games were carried on this thing called cable TV on some sort of new fangled channel called ESPN. Mitch’s was one of the few places around that had it. Back then only the Regional Finals and NCAA Finals were on broadcast TV.

Mitch’s was always packed. Way past legal fire code capacity.

Since we were always supposed to lose, after each win there was a big spontaneous celebration on the Brickyard. After all, each win was going to be our last so we had to enjoy it while we could.

Mitch would always hand everybody a beer in a big plastic cup as he sent us out via the back stairs to the alley way. Couldn’t let us go out the front with beer in hand – he’d get busted by the police and lose his ABC license.

That sure was fun.

I’d like to win another one of those things someday.