Walter Rucker, Johnny Neumann, Larry Finch and Many Others

[SlyStone]

Wasn't Kenon nicknamed "Dr K?"

That nickname came later in the ABA I believe.

 

[SlyStone]

That nickname came later in the ABA I believe.

I stand corrected it was...
Mr. K
A 6'9" forward who had a productive career in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), Kenon played for the New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. His nicknames were "Mr. K" (to go with Nets teammate "Dr. J Julius Erving) and later Special K.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I also was around but too young to know. Here's a source that says Rupp stopped it.

Where Are They Now? Spencer Haywood, the stylish star

Thanks for the story. I had not read it before and appreciate all the roadblocks black players faced at every juncture of their lives. I was living in Atlanta when Stu recruited him and my only connection with UT at that time was thought BIG Orange Club connections. I know how much they wanted Haywood and I think Mears was crazy enough to challenge the University and the SEC on the issue. Tennessee was the First SEC school to sign a black football player, a player from Alcoa who also did not have the grades to get in school. Soon after that, UT signed Lester McClain who was Tennessee's first black football player. Tennessee was the leader in recruiting black players in most sports. I don't believe they would back away from Rupp through the SEC may have done something off the record to appease Rupp. Again, thanks for the article.

 

[Sos]

Yes and all kinds of shots from, lay-ins to mid-range jumpers. Might have been one of the most amazing performances in NCAA tourney history. This was a Tiger High team with three professional players-to-be.

The UCLA team had 5 pro players to be. They were loaded.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

I south that was the case. I was around and kept up with Tennessee basketball as much as football. Haywood would have been a VOL if he Had the grades to get into school. He really wanted to play for Tennessee and Rupp would not have been able to stop it. Grades did matter, probably a lot more back then than today.

Maybe my age is getting to me, but I thought he actually made it to Knoxville over the summer while they were dealing with eligibility issues, and SEEMS like I remember him getting a job at the Rice Olds on Cumberland (I think) in sort of a NIL type deal. They could not get it done and he ended up headed to Detroit. Can anybody confirm or refute this?

 

[HarsinVol]

Just finished watching the Villanova game. The aforementioned players were better than Chandler and the whole lot of existing UT players.

 

[SWS22]

Early 70's. Memphis State almost beat Bill Walton's UCLA team in the NCAA finals. Can you imagine if Neumann, Finch and Rucker had come to Tennessee and played together? All of them were an inch away for playing for Crazed Ray Mears only because of the efforts of Coach Aberdeen who solely recruited Ernie and Bernie.

It is what it was.

Almost, I think they lost by 20pts or more. You might should check that score board on that one.

 

[HarsinVol]

I actually grew up in Whitehaven.

Mike Vosburg, mini-Neumann, went to Miss State, remember him?

 

[cardvolfan]

Mike Vosburg, mini-Neumann, went to Miss State, remember him?

Yes

 

[BowlBrother85]

I thougth that was the case. I was around and kept up with Tennessee basketball as much as football. Haywood would have been a VOL if he Had the grades to get into school. He really wanted to play for Tennessee and Rupp would not have been able to stop it. Grades did matter, probably a lot more back then than today.

Marvin West touched on the recruitment of Spencer Haywood in his book "Tales of Tennessee". West didn't bring up meddling from Adolph Rupp, but I wouldn't doubt there was some of that too. Joe B. Hall sure pitched a fit over Bernard King coming to Tennessee.

Marvin West attributed Haywood not getting in to his SAT score. West said that having someone take the exam for Haywood was seriously considered by Mears and Aberdeen but they didn't think they could get away with it because it was such a high profile recruitment at the time.

Some teams could get away with cheating and some couldn't. Not much has changed. Jim Chones of Marquette, who went on to play for the Lakers as well, has said that he never took either the ACT or SAT. When asked how he got in to school... he just said "Ask Al" - as in McGuire.

 

[Memvol44]

I was for Memphis (i hated UCLA then) but it wasnt a close game. Didnt Walton hit something like 22 of 23 shots? Larry Kenon was no match for Walton.

I did enjoy NC State beating UCLA the next year.

Larry Kenon was on the bench.Powers that be got him in immediate foul trouble....Per the rules in that day, Walton goaltended every time he caught that lob at the rim.