by Chris Maynard (collegebasketballnostalgic@gmail.com)
"Mr. Jones and me...tell each other fairy tales..."
Oh, thank you 1997 NCAA Tournament
From the pain, confusion and awkwardness that was high school came something quite positive, real and believable, a fairy tale that I so desired and needed at the time.
Back in 1997 I was just a freshman trying to figure out my place at an all-boys high school that was not an enjoyable or confidence-building experience.
That prior winter I experienced some humility on the freshman basketball team, getting introduced to the first time in my playing career to the cold, hard reality that was the bench.
By the start of the 1997 NCAA Tournament that spring my butt was transitioning from sitting on the bench for the basketball team to the baseball team.
While I had always been used to playing a lot as a youth basketball, baseball and football player, such was not the case during my short athletic career in high school.
To make matters more confusing, I was like many freshmen at the time, trying to figure out where I fit in the grand scheme of things within the hallways of my high school. Being a small fish in a big pond was not something that I was used to or quite capable of handling at the time. And with no girls around, the extra amounts of testosterone and bravado at my high school made things seemingly so much worse. If I ever have kids, they will never go to an all-boys or girls school! :-)
Quickly realizing that my dreams of becoming an NBA All-Star were disappearing with every splinter pulled out of my behind, and that I was not as popular as I once thought was, somehow, someway my confidence about whom I was as a person grew, thanks in part to one sporting event that not only solidified but intensified my love of basketball.
The 1997 NCAA Tournament was a formidable experience in my youth, a source of inspiration, happiness and solace during a time when the issues that I was facing seemed like the end-of-the world but really were small potatoes in the grand scheme of this confusing thing called life.
It all began in a freshman religion class when a teacher named Mr. Jones created a bracket of the 1997 NCAA Tournament on a giant piece of poster board. After each day of games Mr. Jones would update what teams would win, culminating at the end of the tournament with him drawing the following for the champion.
Oh, thank you 1997 NCAA Tournament
From the pain, confusion and awkwardness that was high school came something quite positive, real and believable, a fairy tale that I so desired and needed at the time.
Back in 1997 I was just a freshman trying to figure out my place at an all-boys high school that was not an enjoyable or confidence-building experience.
That prior winter I experienced some humility on the freshman basketball team, getting introduced to the first time in my playing career to the cold, hard reality that was the bench.
By the start of the 1997 NCAA Tournament that spring my butt was transitioning from sitting on the bench for the basketball team to the baseball team.
While I had always been used to playing a lot as a youth basketball, baseball and football player, such was not the case during my short athletic career in high school.
To make matters more confusing, I was like many freshmen at the time, trying to figure out where I fit in the grand scheme of things within the hallways of my high school. Being a small fish in a big pond was not something that I was used to or quite capable of handling at the time. And with no girls around, the extra amounts of testosterone and bravado at my high school made things seemingly so much worse. If I ever have kids, they will never go to an all-boys or girls school! :-)
Quickly realizing that my dreams of becoming an NBA All-Star were disappearing with every splinter pulled out of my behind, and that I was not as popular as I once thought was, somehow, someway my confidence about whom I was as a person grew, thanks in part to one sporting event that not only solidified but intensified my love of basketball.
The 1997 NCAA Tournament was a formidable experience in my youth, a source of inspiration, happiness and solace during a time when the issues that I was facing seemed like the end-of-the world but really were small potatoes in the grand scheme of this confusing thing called life.
It all began in a freshman religion class when a teacher named Mr. Jones created a bracket of the 1997 NCAA Tournament on a giant piece of poster board. After each day of games Mr. Jones would update what teams would win, culminating at the end of the tournament with him drawing the following for the champion.
To many in the class, the thought of following the tournament in class was cool; however, the idea of this teacher spending his free time creating his own bracket was anything but.
"Looks like someone needs to get a life," a fellow basketball player whispered to another classmate as I sat nearby in the back of the room.
Hardly feeling like someone who fit in, I swallowed my words for this classmate as I thought the idea of this teacher creating a bracket was very cool (Maybe that's why I am a teacher who spends so much of my free time creating materials for my students today?).
Nonetheless, this giant poster board in the back of this mandated religion class became something for me to look forward to outside of school.
As that tournament would come to an end, I would quietly go up to Mr. Jones one day after class, trying to keep whatever "street cred" I had, and ask if I could have the poster board when the tournament ended.
"Ah man," Mr. Jones said. "I would love to give it to you, but someone else already asked for it."
"That's cool," I replied. "Thanks anyways."
Twenty years later, I want to say thanks again to Mr. Jones.
"Looks like someone needs to get a life," a fellow basketball player whispered to another classmate as I sat nearby in the back of the room.
Hardly feeling like someone who fit in, I swallowed my words for this classmate as I thought the idea of this teacher creating a bracket was very cool (Maybe that's why I am a teacher who spends so much of my free time creating materials for my students today?).
Nonetheless, this giant poster board in the back of this mandated religion class became something for me to look forward to outside of school.
As that tournament would come to an end, I would quietly go up to Mr. Jones one day after class, trying to keep whatever "street cred" I had, and ask if I could have the poster board when the tournament ended.
"Ah man," Mr. Jones said. "I would love to give it to you, but someone else already asked for it."
"That's cool," I replied. "Thanks anyways."
Twenty years later, I want to say thanks again to Mr. Jones.
As I have written on the site before, the 1997 NCAA Tournament is where my college basketball fandom truly began.
More importantly, from this viewing experience came so much more, much-needed feelings of encouragement, inclusiveness and hope.
It's been 20 years, and I can still remember the 1997 NCAA Tournament as if it was yesterday.
Here are some of my memories from each day of the 1997 NCAA Tournament.
More importantly, from this viewing experience came so much more, much-needed feelings of encouragement, inclusiveness and hope.
It's been 20 years, and I can still remember the 1997 NCAA Tournament as if it was yesterday.
Here are some of my memories from each day of the 1997 NCAA Tournament.
Thursday, March 13, 1997
On the first day of the 1997 NCAA Tournament, I remember rushing home from baseball practice to catch the end of the afternoon games. I was quite nervous when I saw Arizona freshman Mike Bibby at the free throw line with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half, and the Wildcats down eight points to South Alabama. Was Arizona going to get bounced out? Luckily, and thankfully, the Wildcats would survive South Alabama and another scare against the College of Charleston in the second round en route to an unlikely national championship.
(Editor's Note: After reviewing the Fairfield - North Carolina game on Wednesday, I realized this Arizona - South Alabama game took place late Thursday night. Now I remember why. Back at the time, my family was living in Chicago. Our reception for the tournament games on Channel 2 was notoriously bad whenever there was sketchy weather. On this night, I was watching North Carolina and Fairfield as it was raining very hard. For about two hours, there was basically no reception for the games, just a jumbled mess of colors, though the audio was coming in fine. Finally, when the reception returned, there was no color but a black and white screen. This is when I saw Bibby on the free throw line, with Arizona trailing late in the second half. So the Arizona game did not happen after school. Looking back, I did rush home from practice, probably to just check the results of the game on my VHS tape. Back then, not everyone had Internet, including my family.)
On the first day of the 1997 NCAA Tournament, I remember rushing home from baseball practice to catch the end of the afternoon games. I was quite nervous when I saw Arizona freshman Mike Bibby at the free throw line with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half, and the Wildcats down eight points to South Alabama. Was Arizona going to get bounced out? Luckily, and thankfully, the Wildcats would survive South Alabama and another scare against the College of Charleston in the second round en route to an unlikely national championship.
(Editor's Note: After reviewing the Fairfield - North Carolina game on Wednesday, I realized this Arizona - South Alabama game took place late Thursday night. Now I remember why. Back at the time, my family was living in Chicago. Our reception for the tournament games on Channel 2 was notoriously bad whenever there was sketchy weather. On this night, I was watching North Carolina and Fairfield as it was raining very hard. For about two hours, there was basically no reception for the games, just a jumbled mess of colors, though the audio was coming in fine. Finally, when the reception returned, there was no color but a black and white screen. This is when I saw Bibby on the free throw line, with Arizona trailing late in the second half. So the Arizona game did not happen after school. Looking back, I did rush home from practice, probably to just check the results of the game on my VHS tape. Back then, not everyone had Internet, including my family.)
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Later that night, I remember CBS showing the Montana - Kentucky first round blowout in Chicago while Fairfield was giving North Carolina a hell of a game. CBS would finally switch to that game after it was clear early in the second half that Kentucky was moving on. (Editor's Note: Then came the rain storm!)
Friday, March 14, 1997
The NCAA Tournament was not the most important basketball on my mind this day. Earlier that week my aforementioned high school basketball team had upset St. Joe's in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) tournament. On this Friday the team was preparing to play a Fenwick High School team led by future Duke star and NBA player Corey Maggette. We would lose a competitive game. I remember rushing home from practice this day to check my VHS recording of the tournament and happily see that Illinois had defeated USC. From that point on, it was off to the big high school game. After my school lost, I remember going out to dinner with my cousin and uncle and watching a Bulls-Clippers game rather than the NCAA Tournament (such was Chicago during the Michael Jordan era).
Saturday, March 15, 1997
I don't remember much from this day of the tournament. I do remember two of my friends from grade school coming over, and hanging out with them. I believe CBS was showing the Cincinnati - Iowa State game at the end of the Saturday games and having to follow the CBS bottom line to see that Arizona was in a tight game against College of Charleston, and that Iowa was giving Kentucky a tougher game in the second round than I had predicted.
Friday, March 14, 1997
The NCAA Tournament was not the most important basketball on my mind this day. Earlier that week my aforementioned high school basketball team had upset St. Joe's in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) tournament. On this Friday the team was preparing to play a Fenwick High School team led by future Duke star and NBA player Corey Maggette. We would lose a competitive game. I remember rushing home from practice this day to check my VHS recording of the tournament and happily see that Illinois had defeated USC. From that point on, it was off to the big high school game. After my school lost, I remember going out to dinner with my cousin and uncle and watching a Bulls-Clippers game rather than the NCAA Tournament (such was Chicago during the Michael Jordan era).
Saturday, March 15, 1997
I don't remember much from this day of the tournament. I do remember two of my friends from grade school coming over, and hanging out with them. I believe CBS was showing the Cincinnati - Iowa State game at the end of the Saturday games and having to follow the CBS bottom line to see that Arizona was in a tight game against College of Charleston, and that Iowa was giving Kentucky a tougher game in the second round than I had predicted.
Sunday, March 16, 1997:
I remember watching the end of a shocking Duke loss to Providence in the second round and then rushing off to my cousin's house in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, to celebrate his birthday. On this day I spent most of my time running around with my brother and cousins playing basketball. I do remember checking in at the end of the Illinois loss to UT-Chattanooga in the second round and then the Stanford upset of Wake Forest in Tim Duncan's last collegiate game.
I remember watching the end of a shocking Duke loss to Providence in the second round and then rushing off to my cousin's house in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, to celebrate his birthday. On this day I spent most of my time running around with my brother and cousins playing basketball. I do remember checking in at the end of the Illinois loss to UT-Chattanooga in the second round and then the Stanford upset of Wake Forest in Tim Duncan's last collegiate game.
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Thursday, March 20, 1997
On this night of the Sweet Sixteen, I remember watching the Minnesota-Clemson double-overtime classic. I was rooting for the Golden Gophers to win this game, but was worried that Clemson was going to win. I remember trying to watch the Iowa State - UCLA game afterwards but falling asleep. I wanted to watch Iowa State Head Coach Tim Floyd at the time as the rumor was that he was going to replace Phil Jackson as the Bulls head coach. Like all of my memories of Floyd's time with the Bulls, nothing noteworthy stands out from the Iowa State - UCLA game, thought it was a great finish.
Friday, March 21, 1997
For some reason I remember that my baseball coaches let us have a home run derby this day in practice. While I wasn't powerful enough to hit the ball over the fence, I did hit a sharp line drive back at my head coach, whom I did not like. That was satisfying. Not as satisfying was my short attention span with the Arizona - Kansas Sweet Sixteen game. I remember tuning in at halftime and seeing that Arizona was ahead of the Jayhawks, favored to win the 1997 NCAA Tournament. As my father was out of town on business this weekend, my mother was making my brother, sister and I clean the house for a surprise party that we were throwing for his 40th birthday that Sunday. I was lucky enough to catch the end of the Arizona upset of Kansas, but did not watch the Cinderella Providence-UT-Chattanooga game afterwards.
On this night of the Sweet Sixteen, I remember watching the Minnesota-Clemson double-overtime classic. I was rooting for the Golden Gophers to win this game, but was worried that Clemson was going to win. I remember trying to watch the Iowa State - UCLA game afterwards but falling asleep. I wanted to watch Iowa State Head Coach Tim Floyd at the time as the rumor was that he was going to replace Phil Jackson as the Bulls head coach. Like all of my memories of Floyd's time with the Bulls, nothing noteworthy stands out from the Iowa State - UCLA game, thought it was a great finish.
Friday, March 21, 1997
For some reason I remember that my baseball coaches let us have a home run derby this day in practice. While I wasn't powerful enough to hit the ball over the fence, I did hit a sharp line drive back at my head coach, whom I did not like. That was satisfying. Not as satisfying was my short attention span with the Arizona - Kansas Sweet Sixteen game. I remember tuning in at halftime and seeing that Arizona was ahead of the Jayhawks, favored to win the 1997 NCAA Tournament. As my father was out of town on business this weekend, my mother was making my brother, sister and I clean the house for a surprise party that we were throwing for his 40th birthday that Sunday. I was lucky enough to catch the end of the Arizona upset of Kansas, but did not watch the Cinderella Providence-UT-Chattanooga game afterwards.
Saturday, March 22, 1997
My mind was clearly preoccupied this weekend. In addition to preparing for my father's 40th birthday, I had a research paper on Copernicus due for my freshman history class (and the toughest teacher I ever had, Mr. Ryan). After watching Minnesota knock off UCLA in the Elite Eight, I skipped the Kentucky - Utah game to work on my paper. I expected Kentucky to romp, and that was the case when I checked in late in the second half.
My mind was clearly preoccupied this weekend. In addition to preparing for my father's 40th birthday, I had a research paper on Copernicus due for my freshman history class (and the toughest teacher I ever had, Mr. Ryan). After watching Minnesota knock off UCLA in the Elite Eight, I skipped the Kentucky - Utah game to work on my paper. I expected Kentucky to romp, and that was the case when I checked in late in the second half.
Sunday, March 23, 1997
I remember my father getting back from his business trip as family and friends watched the second half of the Arizona - Providence Elite Eight game and surprised him. After the Arizona win, I remember playing "Coach K College Basketball" on Sega Genesis with my cousins rather than watching the blowout that was the North Carolina - Louisville game.
I remember my father getting back from his business trip as family and friends watched the second half of the Arizona - Providence Elite Eight game and surprised him. After the Arizona win, I remember playing "Coach K College Basketball" on Sega Genesis with my cousins rather than watching the blowout that was the North Carolina - Louisville game.
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Saturday, March 29, 1997
With my VCR-remote in hand, pausing out all of the commercials as I recorded the Final Four, I finally gave the 1997 NCAA Tournament the attention it so deserved, getting hooked on this opening montage on "The Road to the Final Four" show, quickly adopting Arizona as my team during an exciting game against North Carolina, and being impressed with Minnesota during a spirited loss to Kentucky. This was a great day as it was the beginning of spring break, and Easter was the following day.
With my VCR-remote in hand, pausing out all of the commercials as I recorded the Final Four, I finally gave the 1997 NCAA Tournament the attention it so deserved, getting hooked on this opening montage on "The Road to the Final Four" show, quickly adopting Arizona as my team during an exciting game against North Carolina, and being impressed with Minnesota during a spirited loss to Kentucky. This was a great day as it was the beginning of spring break, and Easter was the following day.
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Monday, March 31, 1997
I remember having baseball practice this day, which was also opening day in MLB. Back then I was the Cubs fan, with the 1997 version of the Cubs losing 14 straight games. I also remember reading the championship game preview of Arizona - Kentucky in the Chicago Sun-Times, with the paper predicting Arizona, an outcome I was seeking but not expecting against the juggernaut that was Kentucky. That night I would watch this game nervously alone as Arizona would beat Kentucky in overtime. My sister would join me later in the game as I was giddy with excitement following Arizona's incredible win, a victory that would inspire and stay with me years later.
I remember having baseball practice this day, which was also opening day in MLB. Back then I was the Cubs fan, with the 1997 version of the Cubs losing 14 straight games. I also remember reading the championship game preview of Arizona - Kentucky in the Chicago Sun-Times, with the paper predicting Arizona, an outcome I was seeking but not expecting against the juggernaut that was Kentucky. That night I would watch this game nervously alone as Arizona would beat Kentucky in overtime. My sister would join me later in the game as I was giddy with excitement following Arizona's incredible win, a victory that would inspire and stay with me years later.
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