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#1 Kentucky defeated at home by "unranked" Evansville

Go_Braves

New member
I thought that this Evansville victory is really special and worthy of a "new" topic because I want to share some additional comments.
 
This game shows me and hopefully many others that the "caliber" of basketball being played in the MVC and the SEC isn't that much different. And those going to watch a MVC game get a much better deal for the price of their game.
 
Evansville got paid $90,000 to play at Kentucky. Well let's see - 19,100 attended the game and tickets at Rupp arena range from $32 to over $200. If one were to take an average - say $100 per seat - then the attendance accounted for $1,910,000 and I think Kentucky could afford to pay Evansville $90,000. I do not understand how game revenue is split to the visiting teams and if there are any rules - maybe Da Coach or someone else can clarify if there are any rules.
 
Believe it or not this is the 4th time a Valley team has beaten the #1 AP team this decade.

-UNI vs KU in 2010 in NCAAT
-WSU over Gonzaga in 2013 NCAAT
-UNI vs UNC in 2015

I thought Bradley defeated Cincinnati in the early 1960's when Cincinnati was # 1. I am finding it difficult to google and verify this. Can anyone clarify?

And I take it that these are a couple of firsts where a (1) "unranked" MVC team defeated the # 1 team as a (2) visiting team.
 
Heck ya - celebrate - Evansville you were 25 points underdogs. It is interesting how Evansville played such a (for lack of better words) flawless game so early in the season and each player focused on their individual roles - limiting early season mistakes, etc.

From all appearances the Valley this year is going to be wide open and wild (like last year) for any Valley team to take. Right now let's concentrate on more out of conference victories.
 
A big congrats to Evansville. I hope our Braves see this as a reminder that they need to bring their "A" game to every game, no matter who is favored by however many points. Play hard, play as a team, and great things can happen for us, too.
 
I thought Bradley defeated Cincinnati in the early 1960's when Cincinnati was # 1. I am finding it difficult to google and verify this. Can anyone clarify?

And I take it that these are a couple of firsts where a (1) "unranked" MVC team defeated the # 1 team as a (2) visiting team.

Yes, on January 16, 1960 Bradley beat Oscar Robertson's #1 Cincinnati Bearcats 91-90.
 
If I were Coach I would make the team watch this game right before Memphis to reiterate that a seasoned team performing their roles can beat even the highest ranked freshman still trying to learn.
 
I thought Bradley defeated Cincinnati in the early 1960's when Cincinnati was # 1. I am finding it difficult to google and verify this. Can anyone clarify?...

Yes, as noted, Bradley did beat #1 ranked Cincinnati on January 16, 1960 at Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse.
I am not sure why the quote from Mikovio does not include that Bradley win. The AP has been publishing a college basketball Top 20 ranking since the 1948-49 season. In 1989-90 they expanded their poll to the Top 25.

From the Bradley Basketball record book, here are all the games Bradley has played against Top 20 or Top 25 teams. Though Bradley has only 1 win against a #1 team, they have 4 wins against #2 teams, 2 wins against #3 teams and numerous other wins over highly ranked teams in the past -

BU-vs-1
 
This game shows me and hopefully many others that the "caliber" of basketball being played in the MVC and the SEC isn't that much different. And those going to watch a MVC game get a much better deal for the price of their game.

Right on, Go_Braves. The NCAA will continue to try to make rules to keep the Power conferences on top (like moving the 3 point line back), but honestly, the talent pool is getting so deep anymore, that I believe we'll see more and more of this. Sadly, I think come tournament time, the refs always tend to favor the same teams. If they let them play, like they did in last year's tournament game against MSU in the 1st half, you see what can happen.

Huge win for Evansville and McCarty. He might be a head coach to worry about now! I looked him up on Wiki to see what his experience was and thought someone else might be interested:

In June 2007, McCarty accepted an assistant coach job at the University of Louisville under head men's basketball coach Rick Pitino, under whom he played at Kentucky and with the Celtics.[SUP][1][/SUP]

In June 2010, McCarty was named as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers under Jim O'Brien, replacing Lester Conner.[SUP][2][/SUP] Walter also played for O'Brien during his tenure with the Celtics.

In 2011, McCarty was let go by the Pacers when Frank Vogel took over as head coach.

In August 2013, McCarty joined the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach for the 2013–14 NBA season.[SUP][3][/SUP]

On March 22, 2018, McCarty was hired as the head men's basketball coach in University of Evansville.[SUP][4][/SUP]
 
Right on, Go_Braves. The NCAA will continue to try to make rules to keep the Power conferences on top (like moving the 3 point line back), but honestly, the talent pool is getting so deep anymore, that I believe we'll see more and more of this. Sadly, I think come tournament time, the refs always tend to favor the same teams. If they let them play, like they did in last year's tournament game against MSU in the 1st half, you see what can happen.

What makes the Aces' win doubly (triply) impressive is it was on the road -- which is, of course, the only way the Big Boys will schedule a mid-major. The only other way we can play them is on a neutral court via a tournament. I think if there was more of a home-road balance, you would see the percentage of upsets climb a lot. Which is, of course, why the Power 5 won't do it. They have little to gain, a lot to lose. So they rig the system in their favor. Which makes a win like this even more sweet!
 
"Valley of Death" I like that. The Conference should adopt that and push that phrase more

In its Heyday (The 1960's) - the Missouri Valley was truly considered "The Valley of Death"... refer to the title of this 1963 Sports Illustrated article and the article as well.
 
When Bradley defeated Cincinnati that year was the year of the famous clock incident?

I have been close to Bradley for over 50 years and I don't know what this refers to. What the heck is the clock incident?

Btw, check out this brief video done by Evansville Head Coach Walter McCarty. And watch to the end! If the MVC ever holds a head coach singing contest, Walter McCarty will be the favorite. Though I have to admit, I really don't know how well Coach Wardle can carry a tune.
https://twitter.com/UEAthletics_MBB/status/1194752419609108481
 
One year when Walker's team beat Oscar Robertson's team in Peoria, there was a period at the end of the game in which Cincinnati claimed the clock did not run. Bradley got back into the game and won it. I'm not sure what year it was but it was definitely over 50 years ago. I believe Oscar's team never won a game at Bradley. Some other old-timer correct me if you remember better. I was not at the game but listening on the radio.
 
One year when Walker's team beat Oscar Robertson's team in Peoria, there was a period at the end of the game in which Cincinnati claimed the clock did not run. Bradley got back into the game and won it. I'm not sure what year it was but it was definitely over 50 years ago. I believe Oscar's team never won a game at Bradley. Some other old-timer correct me if you remember better. I was not at the game but listening on the radio.

That is true. Cincinnati was 0-3 in Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse while Oscar Robertson was there. Bradley was 0-3 at Cincinnati in those seasons.
Robertson played for Cincinnati in 1957-58, 1958-59, and 1959-60.

Here are all the results between Cincinnati and Bradley-
cincinnati


Robertson's stats at Cincinnati-
cincinnati2
 
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