I agree it would be highly unlikely to see 35 a game. A more likely comparison would be that he might still match or exceed the percentage of his team's offense that he represented then. IIRC, the '68-'69 Purdue team averaged over 94 points per game. So, nowadays, if he got 25-26 of a team's 75, that would be comparable.
Older Hawkeye fans may be interested to know...
- Thread starter MTobin
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I would think a legitimate argument could be that he would end up similar to Cheaney in scoring, somewhere close to 20 per game for his career, lasting 4 years instead of 3. That could, depending on the season, opponents, etc, include a season pushing 25 per game. Doing 25 per game for a career, yeah, I can't see that happening.
I would respectfully disagree as to Mount and Maravich, particularly. They were relatively good sized guards who were very capable of the long range jumper. The availability of a 3 point line would be a huge offset to the downside of the newer game for them.
Defense is played so much better today, even with the supposed "freedom of movement" regulations. Mount would not be getting all those open shots. Someone would be all over him trying to deny him the ball and blanketing him when he managed to get it.
I understand the thinking. I saw Mount regularly and also saw Maravich play in person and am absolutely of the opinion that notwithstanding changes that both of them would regularly be at/near 30, assuming current coaching gave them freedom to shoot. The ease and speed of release from very long range was amazing for both. I understand that a team could prevent it with gimicky defenses but that typically involves a suicidal game plan that trades the possibility of a win for trying to stop the individual.
Guess we will just have to disagree.
I wondered myself. Finding articles online not a lot of info. One idea thrown about is his kid played at PU. He didn't like the amount of playing time he was given. Guy also has a frosty relationship with others in his BB life. Maybe PU fans can give better insight.
I was at the game, and he was given a huge reception by the crowd. A long, long a standing O. He then took the mic and spoke for a while, mainly about the great history of Purdue BB at Mackey arena and the usual stuff about how they have the greatest fans in America. Came across as very likeable, really knows how to address a crowd. If there were hard feelings in the past, I saw no evidence of that.
By far the greatest Iowa Basketball team of all time was that Miller's 6 Pack of 1969-1970. 2nd highset scoring team in the country that year to Jacksonville led by 7'4 Artis Gilmore. The game between Iowa and Jacksonville in the regional final was a classic. Jacksonville's starting lineup if I recall was 7'4, 7'0, 6'10, 6'7 and 5'11. Iowa lost on a last second tip in by 7'0 Pembrook Burroughs.
Two of Iowa's starters John Johnson and 'Downtown' Freddy Brown had long NBA careers, both with the Seattle Supersonics I believe.
Two of Iowa's starters John Johnson and 'Downtown' Freddy Brown had long NBA careers, both with the Seattle Supersonics I believe.
The bad blood centered around a couple of things. One was his son Richie, who came to Purdue, but wasn't really Big 10 material and transferred to VCU in the middle of his sophomore year. Second, even though Purdue doesn't retire numbers, no one had worn his #10 until Woody Austin arrived and was given it. I believe both of those events happened at about the same time.
Seattle won an NBA title while Freddie and JJ were both on team.
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1970 Big 10 finale at Purdue saw Iowa mount a furious comeback late and beat Purdue despite Mount's 61. JJ, Downtown and crew were really fun to watch and ended up unbeaten in Big 10 play that year.
Whatever it means....I don't think I like it. It doesn't seem fair to be called that.
