Comments on: The Original Dream Game — U of L -UK 1983

By: angie

angie — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:15:40 +0000

I still have a tshirt from this game, lol

By: Bucky

Bucky — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:57:38 +0000

The best game ever.Now it’s just a game,back in 1983 it was much more than that.

By: Bucky

Bucky — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:44:09 +0000

I was 19 at the time, and it was one of the best games i have seen.Big game that was in overtime how much better could it get. From the cards fan.

By: bluegrassLady

bluegrassLady — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:57:37 +0000

I love the UK vs UL games. It is good for the state and basketball. Crum was awesome coach. I love my Big Blue but cheer for the Cardinals when we aren’t playing them.
As for you question, no….my job has cause me to semi-retire. Rev and I will have a new he said she said up this week since I am on vacation. I have to say it did not hurt me to lose that game. It is the Duke game that still draws blood for me!! GO BIG BLUE!!

By: frankpos

frankpos — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:09:01 +0000

Thanks for all the kind words, Roz and others.

Roz, on your re-read you probably noticed I added even more thoughts and memories as they occur–particularly the overall thinking at that time, and how the Game was so pivotal in U of L’s history.

I’ll add things to this article — and other historical pieces I write. I wish I could get some players to add their thoughts–Lancaster has rebuffed me so far.

Book? Hmmm, if I could really lay my hands on the old pics, and get interviews with the coaches, players, etc.

I like this format because I can incorporate the short videos — they are meaningful I think.

Frank

By: Roz

Roz — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:56:27 +0000

Frank,
I just reread your exhaustive piece on that game so many years ago.

You might have yourself a book there.
Already there’s a lot of meat.
Ask around…send it out, or whatever writers do?
Do you know anybody? Maybe Mike Rutherford could help, he’s a great writer. Maybe he could show it to his father who I think might have been a professional writer.

Nothing fancy there, Frank, but for God’s sake, you’ve got a book! AND it would sell, and that’s what they’re looking for. I mean it would be attractive nationwide to those who are over 35 years old.

I’m not lyin’ bud, you’ve got something here.

Roz

By: bluetrain68

bluetrain68 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:54:23 +0000

Great piece! At the time I was the ONLY U of L fan in Lancaster (Garrard county), KY. Watched the game with a room full of UK fans. Sweet!!!!!!!! Also remember listening to the ’59 game on the radio. Just as sweet in a way.

By: kikisdad

kikisdad — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:32:44 +0000

HA!
Great read as always, Frank.
I was a week or so away from my ninth birthday and can remember the magnitude of the “Dream GAME”. I don’t, however remember the nuances of the game. I can recall Gordon’s shot, Jones’ block, and the back breaking flurry in overtime. As well as Lancaster’s “chicken” dance as Milt lined up at the Free Throw line! Thing is, the UofL program still didn’t garner any respect from the UK fans afterwards. It seems as though the UK players did, not sure about Joe B, new radio celebrity who seems to have mellowed out over the years! But after reading this article, and responses, it made me think of all the average cayut fan’s wives, children, and pets after the “Dream Game”. I’m almost positive they took an unfortunate pummeling due to the outcome. Cayut fans, meh.
Go Cards! And once again, Frank, you have outdone yourself, buddy!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:14:10 +0000

Thanks for the great article!
I wasn’t born then, but I’ve heard the stories from my dad.

By: kylures

kylures — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:38:43 +0000

A couple of things I forgot to mention in my original posting re: Leaving Las Ville:
Robin remembers that we were wearing opposing UL-UK sweatshirts and when we crossed the street from the hotel to the arena, they interviewed us on cameras outside the arena. They asked us what it was like being together and rooting for opposite teams, or something like that. It was a novelty back then, and we just iterated that we were both diehard fans, and may the best team come out on top. But it was a long ride home for the losers. Robin says she was devastated with the loss, but its hard to put into context really. We really didn’t razz anyone as I recall. But we were definitely happy with the outcome.
2) One of the greatest coaching blunders of all time (that did not affect the outcome of a game) occurred during the first Memphis victory with UL tied when Crum pulled all the UL players off the foul lane and into the backcourt. He was worried about fouls, but forgot that if Milt missed the shot, UL could have possibly tipped it in for a win. Seems impossible now. Crum recognized the mistake right away. Fortunately, Milt did not. That one is on youtube.
Now there is a blog topic, “Greatest Coaching Moments in UL history”. Lessee, theres the 4-corner offense against UCLA in 75…..

By: Roz

Roz — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:17:31 +0000

Nice, Frank.
It was so serious, even for a Yank like me, who had no skin in the game…It was otherworldly, like watching World War II newsreels showing Monty chasing down Desert Fox Rommel through the sands of North Africa. So much bad blook. So many years where they ducked us.
I remember sitting in my tiny Binghamton, NY apartment, quaffing self made black ‘n tans (one half Guiness one half Budweiser one WHOLE hangover) and rooting my ass off for the Cardinals.

The highlight for me will always be early in OT when Lancaster Gordon, in the midst of a three on one easy bucket, eschewed an inside pass for a layup but instead PULLED UP from about eighteen and poured in a jumper instead.

It was almost like an insult…then, about eight UK turnovers in a row.

That’s how I remember that Saturday in March.

Rox