The Valley of Death

[1972Shocker]

Not a whole lot to talk about so I thought some Shocker/Valley history might be interesting. Most, if not all of us, are aware the Valley was known as The Vallley of Death in its heyday in the 1960's.

However, some may not realize the source of that depiction. The honor belongs to Sports Illustrated who published an article titled "Life in the Valley of Death in their January 21, 1963 issue.

Here is a link to that article: https://www.si.com/vault/1963/01/21/...alley-of-death

I think it's an interesting read and, of course, their are the usual naysayers like KU's Dick Harp and KSU's Tex Winter complaining that the low academic standards of Valley schools. Although there is some evidence that more than academics may have been involved.

[Walker]

That was a really interesting read, and not surprising to see the elitist attitudes of the usual suspects. It’s really ironic now considering that those schools are the ones that now, somehow, magically find a way to get marginal students eligible while the little guys don’t have an NCAA fairy godmother to make their dreams come true.

[another shocker]

what dick harp says is what the ncaa (shawnee mission) says. 'always been like that. ku is deeper than anybody into the ncaa.

[jocoshock]

I like the quote from one of the coaches when he says "why doesn't Wichita State just schedule the entire Top 10."

Look up the 1963 schedule. Wins over #1 Cincy, #2 Ohio State, #3 Loyola of Chicago, and a win over an Arizona State team that would finish the season #7. Loyola beat Cincy that year in the National Championship game.

The Shox also went 4-0 against the Big 10 that year and was 12-2 in the non-con with road losses to St. Mary's and an overtime loss to defending Big 8 champion COLORADO.

Shox finished 7-5in the Valley, good enough for a second place finish to Cincy, whose only regular season loss was to the Shox.

Shox ended up #5 in the AP Poll.

[ShockingButTrue]

As much as I revere the "Bookends," they didn't put WSU on the map. That's not a knock on them.

And it sure in the hell wasn't Turgeon.

[Topshock]

Interesting article. What of course isn't mentioned in the article except by the veiled comments from the coach's of KSU an KU, is that probable the main reason for the Valleys success was the schools in the league being the first to aggressively recruit black athletes. Don't think for a second that the comments about poor academic standards and having players "we wouldn't have", are not a direct reference to that fact.

[Bluzrover]

What a great read, thanks for sharing! And to think how far the Valley has fallen. But I'm extremely happy to be back in a leagues with Cincy, Tulsa and Memphis, former Valley foes that continue to value their BB heritage.

[1972Shocker]

A little less than a month after that article Cincinnati came to the Roundhouse to take on the Shocks. As the article mentioned "Cincinnati, undefeated, untied and practically unscored upon, is a unanimous No. 1". Cincy had a 37-game winning streak and lead the nation in scoring defense holding its opponents to an average of 52.9 points per game.

Dave The Rave who, by the rules of those days finished his sophomore year of eligibility at the end of the 1st semester and was in the 1st half of his junior year of eligibility on February 16, 1963. So Dave was in his 3rd semester of varsity play at that time as he could not play as a freshman.

Cincinnati's defense proved to be very stout indeed against all but one of the Shockers holding everyone on the team other than Dave The Rave to 19 points. Cincy managed to score 64 points. All the Bearcats needed to do was to hold The Rave to 44 points and they win the game. Couldn't do it. Dave scorched the Bearcats for 46 points on 14-22 from the field (no 3-point shot back then) and 18-23 from the line as the Shocks had one of the best, if not the best, wins ever in the Roundhouse.

Unfortunately, in those days a 2nd place finish in the best conference in the nation would not guarantee you a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Shocks would have to wait until the next season for their 1st ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

[Shocker1976]

Those were the halcyon days for the Shockers; I remember the game well!