ESPN Classic - ESPN Classic Remembers Al McGuire

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Wednesday, November 19, 2003
ESPN Classic Remembers Al McGuire

In a tribute to Al McGuire, ESPN Classic will present the 1977 Marquette national semifinal and final games on Thurs., Feb. 1 from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. ET. (This special presentation will re-air on Friday from 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. ET). McGuire's Warriors team downed UNC-Charlotte in the semis then beat North Carolina for the national championship in the final game of his 12-year career as Warriors coach.

Thurs., Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET


	Al McGuire coached Marquette to 295 wins in 13 years.

Marquette 51, UNC-Charlotte 49
National Semifinal
March 26,1977
Marquette sprinted to a 23-9 lead over UNC-Charlotte, but the lead slowly dwindled away. The 49ers rebounded for a 35-30 lead with just over 14 minutes to play. Jerome Whitehead scored six points in a 14-4 Warriors run to put Marquette back in the lead and set the stage for a dramatic ending. Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell hit a shot with three seconds left in regulation to tie the score. Butch Lee flung a length-of-the-court inbounds pass toward Bo Ellis, but the ball deflected off his hands to Jerome Whitehead. Maxwell partially blocked Whitehead's attempted dunk. The ball hit the backboard and bounced off the rim before falling through the net as time expired. The referee's conferred before ruling the basket good and sending Marquette to the finals against North Carolina.

Thurs., Feb. 1 at 11 p.m. ET

Marquette 67, North Carolina 59
National Championship
March 28,1977
Behind Butch Lee and Bo Ellis Marquette stormed to a 39-27 halftime lead. Mike O'Koren and Walter Davis led the Tar Heels on a second half run as Carolina vaulted to a 45-43 lead. Marquette took over down the stretch and led 67-57 with eight seconds left. McGuire's eyes began to tear up and he buried his face in a towel as the Warriors fans celebrated. Marquette would win 67-59 in Al McGuire's last game to give them their first national championship.

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