SPECIAL Weeknd TRIVIA 11/28/09

Who was the first professional basketball player with a height of at least 7' ?

beat

HINT: It is NOT Wilt!

beat
Elmer Morgenthaler

swish

swish

Although there are a couple of sites that list him as 7
most say he was far from it

Elmore Robert Morgenthaler (Elmo)
Position: Center
Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 lbs.
Born: August 3, 1922
College: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

There were two players that B.A.A. teams that year billed as seven-footers, height that was rare enough to draw customers into the arena. One of the men, Elmore Morganthaler, of Providence, was probably a couple of inches under seven feet and is remembered less for his pivot play than for his way with a stick of chewing gum. He would keep it balled behind his ear, from time to time retrieving it to chew.

beat

beat
You are right about his height. I lived about 16 miles from the R.I auditorium where his team, the Providence Steam Rollers, played their games. On that same team was Ernie Calverly of U.R.I. fame. Both Ernie and the Steam Rollers were well know in this area just 14 miles from downtown providence. By the way. I have noticed with interest that you were a fan of the Buffalo team in the mid 70's. As a season ticket holder of the Providence college friars I was very fortunate to watch Ernie DiGregorio at his very best. As I recall he led the Braves in assist in his rookie year. Because I have been a Providence college fan since 1959 I also got to see another star from your area-Niagra's Calvin Murphy.

swish

Ralph 'Timber' Siewert of the Saint Louis Bombers.

Hey Jerry and Swish,

Nice to have some real "veterans" around. I hope you guys value the period during which you have lived as much as I do...and I'm only 72. I wouldn't have wanted to live during any different time span.

Sam

jerry

Any special connection between you and the "shark" or U.N.L.V.

SWISH

swish wrote:jerry

Any special connection between you and the "shark" or U.N.L.V.

SWISH

Perhaps yes.

Still waiting to see if memory served and my guess was correct.....lol

swish wrote:beat
You are right about his height. I lived about 16 miles from the R.I auditorium where his team, the Providence Steam Rollers, played their games. On that same team was Ernie Calverly of U.R.I. fame. Both Ernie and the Steam Rollers were well know in this area just 14 miles from downtown providence. By the way. I have noticed with interest that you were a fan of the Buffalo team in the mid 70's. As a season ticket holder of the Providence college friars I was very fortunate to watch Ernie DiGregorio at his very best. As I recall he led the Braves in assist in his rookie year. Because I have been a Providence college fan since 1959 I also got to see another star from your area-Niagra's Calvin Murphy.

swish

Enjoyed the Buffalo team as well......always got a chuckle out of the 'McAdon't' Banners............favorite Brave was Randy Smith, incredible athlete.

Trivia question for you, swish..............what year did UNLV visit the Civic Center to play PC and what was the outcome ? Were you there as well ?

JERRY
They played the season of 72-73. P.C won and as I recall it was a close game. It was the 1st year for the new civic center and the 1st chance for many, including me, to see big time college basketball 1st hand (It was impossible to get tickets at their tiny campus court).The sight of "Tark" with that big towel in his mouth sure did get the hecklers going.
Ernie DiGgregorio suffered a fate similiar to McAdoo. Never known for his defense many around the league labled him Ernie noDi-Gregorio. By the way, I researched the answer to the quiz and I believe you nailed it.

swish

swish wrote:JERRY
They played the season of 72-73. P.C won and as I recall it was a close game. It was the 1st year for the new civic center and the 1st chance for many, including me, to see big time college basketball 1st hand (It was impossible to get tickets at their tiny campus court).The sight of "Tark" with that big towel in his mouth sure did get the hecklers going.
Ernie DiGgregorio suffered a fate similiar to McAdoo. Never known for his defense many around the league labled him Ernie noDi-Gregorio. By the way, I researched the answer to the quiz and I believe you nailed it.

swish

Don't recall a '72 game...before my time...barely. If I recall correctly Mike Drakulich was still coach of the Rebels in 1972-73, we had recently formed the athletic program. UNLV was Nevada Southern until the late 60's, essentially a community college.

I was referring to the 1988 game in Providence, a 92-72 Vegas victory. PC would have been a powerhouse in '72 and you must have enjoyed Marvin and Ernie's run. The '72 Rebels had no player taller than 6'5 and an unwritten rule that 3 white players must start. Things changed beginning in 73-74.

swish,

Another PC-UNLV trivia question. Which star of that game in 1988 for UNLV was drafted by the Celtics ?

Jerry

You are correct

Ralph Paul Siewert (Sky)
Position: Center
Height: 7-1 Weight: 230 lbs.
Born: December 31, 1923
Died: June 1991


There were two players that B.A.A. teams that year billed as seven-footers, height that was rare enough to draw customers into the arena. One of the men, Elmore Morganthaler, of Providence, was probably a couple of inches under seven feet and is remembered less for his pivot play than for his way with a stick of chewing gum. He would keep it balled behind his ear, from time to time retrieving it to chew. He played only eleven games for the Steamrollers and averaged 1.4 points per game. Ralph Siewert, seven-one, was called “Timber” by his St. Louis Bombers fans for his resemblance to a cut tree when he fell to the floor during the action. He played seven games with St. Louis, was sent on to Toronto, and ended up with a 1.0 point average over twenty-one games.



beat

Jerry

Your quote about me!!

I have noticed with interest that you were a fan of the Buffalo team in the mid 70's.

I went to college In Geneseo about an hour from Buffalo, but I was no fan of ANY Buffalo team. I worked at the college radio station and another student worker there requested and received 2 press passes from the Braves for the station. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, him and I went to virtually all the Braves games in the 74-76 seasons, as "members" of the press. Of course we got to go into the press room for pregame food and when in college any food other than that at the school's dining halls was considered a treat!

Unfortunately all but a few times we had to sit in the upper press box (meant for Hockey) not courtside.

Got to go into both locker rooms after the games and interview the players. My buddy, Fred, actually took the whole thing quite seriously and used his interview for the station, me I just talked to them for no reason whatsoever. Best Brave to talk to was by far Kenny Charles. McAdoo had trouble with the english lanquage. I don't think he was the sharpest tool in the shed.

I do remember Ernie NO D. Kid could pass the ball, and shoot when left open.

There are lots of memories from those years, meeting OJ, the NBA commish Larry O'brien and lots more.

Anyway loved the basketball of that era! But I was a CELTIC fan then, prior too, and after!

beat

Good morning Beat,

The quote re you being a Braves fan was from Swish and I agree, there was a lot to like about NBA ball in the 70's. Kudos to anyone who attempted to communicate with Big Mac !

Know about college student's appetites and fondly recall trips to the $1.99 buffets at the Stardust and Frontier hotels with the teams. Consensus was the Frontier for Breakfast and the Stardust for Dinner, with their being a fine line and VERY short intermission between the two !

Jerry

quiz answer.-----Gerald Paddio (looked it up)
Your right about the meeting taking place in 1988. Through a selective memory process I have been able to block out all P.C defeats. Thanks for starting my Sunday out on a sour note. 20 point loss---UGH. Thanks for knocking off Duke in 90. I sort of root against all A.C.C. Teams. Both P.C. and U.N.L.V. were in the final 4 in 87.

swish

Thanks swish,

More trivia...what two records did UNLV set in the Final 4 matchup with Indiana in 1987 ?

In a LOSS.....ugh...I can thank you for Sunday morning memories as well....lol

Not an ACC fan either....to this day UNLV recruits transfers from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12,SEC, PAC 10 & CUSA heavily, their cars are already paid for.

Current Rebel roster includes transfers from UCLA, Memphis, Kentucky and Kansas.

Oscar Bellefield was also a USC commit who shifted to Vegas after the Tim Floyd fiasco.

Be interested in the forum's view on him as well, a sophomore guard I believe would be a fine Celtic one day. Someone will also be gaining the next Bruce Bowen in Tre' Von Willis.

Jerry

Got it, but I had to look it up.
Assist-Mark Wade-18
Made 3 point field goals-Freddie Banks-10

swish

Great job, swish....set two team records as well in that game, most 3's attempted & made.

Jerry
The only thing that sticks out so far ( only 5 games) in my view is that they both seem to be struggling with their 3 point shooting. Neither is rated in the top 60 in the one 2010 nba draft site that I checked. I'll keep an eye on them as the season wears on.
Maybe this box score of the UNLV--DUKE blowout will make your day.
http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?replayId=1434

swish

Willis is a sleeper IMHO............very talented and featured this year for the first time. He was a Memphis PG who left after losing the starting position to Rose. Much better served as a SG/SF with a tremendous defensive presence. He'll be rising in regard all season. Jasper, the UK transfer is a similar player. Stanback from UCLA is the most highly regarded in the media though I'm not sold on him as yet

Bellefield is the prototypical PG.....a great student who will likely play 2 more years and graduate. I liken him to Greg Anthony. Was a 5 Star recruit out of HS in Southern Cal.

This year's edition, while not as talented at the top, is easily the deepest Rebel squad I have seen in 36 years. Might be fun......and they play a style that would complement a Coach such as Rivers' philosophy.

I'd appreciate you all checking them out and letting me know your thoughts.