Recalling golden moments of the 1980s
A flood of memories came rushing back last weekend when they honored the 1986-87 Iowa men’s basketball team that nearly went to the NCAA Final Four.
You don’t need much reminding that the Hawkeyes that March blew an 18-point lead to Nevada-Las Vegas and lost, 84-81, in the West Regional final in Seattle. That result was as painful to Hawkeye fans as the season and tournament trail were unforgettable.
At the first- and second-round site in Tucson, Iowa whipped Santa Clara and barely survived a Texas-El Paso team coached by colorful Don Haskins and led by Tim Hardaway. Lute Olson had his Arizona team in that regional, led by Sean Elliott. Marist made it with 7-footer Rik Smits. Pittsburgh had NBA first-rounders in Charles Smith and Jerome Lane. Oklahoma featured Harvey Grant and Stacey King.
The Hawkeyes went to Seattle to face Oklahoma, where they survived a memorable overtime game, thanks to Kevin Gamble’s basket with one second left.
During halftime of the regional final against UNLV, many in the Iowa media delegation were making travel plans to the Final Four in New Orleans. Instead, a couple hours later, we were deciding whether to take the red eye back to Cedar Rapids or wait until the next morning.
The Metro area had three players in the 1987 NCAA Tournament
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