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Where were you 20 years ago today?

I can actually show where I was on March 17, 2006. I'm in the second row, behind the Bradley bench at the Palace of Auburn Hills. I paid a pretty penny for those tickets, but wanted to be close to the action. And it was well worth it to see the Braves play an exceptional game and beat Kansas. The Kansas fans in the high dollar seats to our left were literally weeping after the game, and yelling nasty things at the Bradley players and fans because Bradley spoiled their weekend. One of the best days of my life.
I am in the red shirt (circled) sitting next to my son who wore the neon green shirt so he'd be easier to see. Haha.
1773797373789.png

Here is the full game video-
 
I was right in the middle of the Bradley section with all the families of the players.....
to my left was past Bradley player Ernie Thompson and to my right were multiple family members of Will Franklin, all of whom were incredibly personable, funny and a joy to be around.

Also, I was at the NCAA game in Atlanta when Bradley lost to Auburn - interestingly I saved a picture from pregame warmups where
we were standihg at courtside and Hersey held one of my sons for a photo- GREAT logo on the warmup...
IMG_5553.jpeg
 
It's funny because of my greatest sports memories is also a bit hazy in terms of the actual detail. I wish there was HD of that because I was closer than even DC as I was covering the game for the Bradley Scout and was in the press row somewhere near the Bradley bench. I can't remember the exact spot. I was actually most likely almost right in front of DC in that second press row closer to mid court. I can't really make out me in it, but I still remember like it was yesterday, a lot of it at least.

One story I've told many before is that during that game at halftime, Verne Lundquist (who was on the call of the broadcast), nearly barreled me over at halftime trying to get back to his seat. He didn't even say excuse me. :D Verne was really short but he was stocky and could really have bowled me over if I wasn't paying attention.

I still have the press guides for the tournament and the team yearbook for Pitt in my office to this day.

It was crazy when the Bradley players when past me and up into the stands. I'm sure there's got to be some photo out there that has me in the background.
 
I was at home.. BUT by this time that night I was packing for Auburn Hills… left the next morning.
Had a great time watching BU send Pitt home on Sunday
 
Crashdavis said:
38 years ago,Bradley lost to Auburn
Click to expand...

That was a bummer. I was there, too, and I thought Bradley was going to win the game. The game went back and forth, but with BU down by 1 point under 2 minutes, BU point guard Anthony Manual was tripped by an Auburn player while bringing the ball up-court, lost control, and Auburn recovered the ball. It should have been a foul, but wasn't called. On the next possession, still down by 1 point, the usually sure-handed Manual had another turnover and the ball went back to Auburn up 84-83 with 42 seconds left. Back then, the shot clock was 45 seconds, so Auburn went into a stall and Bradley had to start fouling to stop the clock. The game ended Auburn 90 Bradley 86.
Here is an old Youtube video of the complete game. I linked to the point where the game turned on the no-call by officials as I described above-
 
I went out onto the concourse at halftime and a Kansas fan was on the phone with a friend and said-“there is no way they can keep this up for another half”. I remember saying to myself-just watch, but I have to admit I never imagined when we were going to Auburn Hills that we would knock off Kansas-I knew we were good but….
 
yoda said:
I was right in the middle of the Bradley section with all the families of the players.....
to my left was past Bradley player Ernie Thompson and to my right were multiple family members of Will Franklin, all of whom were incredibly personable, funny and a joy to be around.

Also, I was at the NCAA game in Atlanta when Bradley lost to Auburn - interestingly I saved a picture from pregame warmups where
we were standihg at courtside and Hersey held one of my sons for a photo- GREAT logo on the warmup...
View attachment 529470
Click to expand...
Our son was born that morning…my wife didn’t like the idea of Michael Hersey,as a name….
But 22 years later,,,Graduated from Bradley,as did his wife…
I also had a couple green beers watching the game 😂
 
houstonbrave said:
I went out onto the concourse at halftime and a Kansas fan was on the phone with a friend and said-“there is no way they can keep this up for another half”. I remember saying to myself-just watch, but I have to admit I never imagined when we were going to Auburn Hills that we would knock off Kansas-I knew we were good but….
Click to expand...
I had several Kansas fans ask
"how in the hell did you guys get so many good players"

the Valley was tough back then- four MVC teams made the NCAA Tourney and it should have been 5--
two made the Sweet Sixteen
 
I was in Ecuador visiting a "girlfriend" - possibly future wife. Didn't pan out, so kicking myself for missing all but the Elite 8 of that tournament. The ONLY tourney since 1987 where I didn't see the first few rounds! My dad fortunately VCR'ed the 2nd half of the game vs Pitt so I could watch when I returned to the states.
 
yoda said:
I had several Kansas fans ask
"how in the hell did you guys get so many good players"

the Valley was tough back then- four MVC teams made the NCAA Tourney and it should have been 5--
two made the Sweet Sixteen
Click to expand...
I also had a guy behind me ask "is the Missouri Valley this good"?
Recall that Bradley was a #13 seed and finished the season tied for 5th place in the MVC that year.-
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/standings/_/season/2006/group/18

And, Kansas was a #4 seed and the co-champion of the Big 12 and was ranked #12 in the AP Top 25. They were an overwhelming favorite in the game, but Bradley lead virtually start to finish to upset the Jayhawks.
 
I was sitting in the PCC watching the HS state tournament and listening to PA announcer Paul Herzog give the BU scores. Loved every minute of it.
 
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