John Danks – 1977 NIT Champion ????

  John danks MEMBER OF THE 1977-1978 NIT CHAMPS

May 8, 2021 

Now then…great job on the greatest basketball teams and players. We were a top 20 team in 1977-78, that could have easily been in the final four. Also..In my opinion, there should be a ring of honor that includes that starting 5. Heck, Moore’s # is retired in San Antonio, but not in Austin. Are we kidding? Obviously, I’m biased, but Moore may be the greatest Guard in UT history. Ask TJ and he might agree.

Arkansas was in the ‘’78 final 4 along with UK, Duke, &ND. 

Back Then, There were 32 bids, not 64. (or play in’s)

We beat Arkansas 75-69 in Austin, and UH twice, but they got bids. We got NIT..and only played it because of a team vote.

We were a team that would have been a tough out in the 1978 NCAA, despite our lack of size. We beat everyone, including 2 really good SEC teams, MSU & LSU, plus OU, BYU, and three really strong Eastern Teams, Rutgers, Temple, and NC State..None of those games were even close.

After we won the 1978 NIT, the Coach was asked why we weren’t invited to the NCAA. I thought he gave a good answer, “We play a conference schedule to see who wins, followed by a conference tournament to see who loses.” 

We lost to UH 92-90 in the 1977-78 Conference Tournament semi-finals (in Houston), and despite a conference record of 14-2, and a top 20 rank, did not get an NCAA bid, probably because the SWC was not a tradition-rich basketball league in postseason b-ball at that time…not by reputation.

Make no mistake though…that 1977-78 team set the stage for UT basketball for years to come. While We didn’t have ESPN, Social media, or a large coaching staff….we averaged 15,000+ in home attendance in yr 1 of the “Super drum.” After each win… the drum lit up orange, a tradition I hope will follow at the new arena…

What we did have was 1 trainer, 2 managers, and 2 assistant coaches, not counting a grad assistant.

After we beat Temple by 14 and Nebraska by more, UT officials didn’t pay much attention to us in NY. The cheerleaders, pep band, & Department officials stayed home. I recall a few boosters in NY and some parents. Others probably have a different version.

After we won, there wasn’t a banquet, celebration, or even much of a crowd at the airport when the players & coaches returned. In fairness, it WAS Spring Break and the team went in different directions after the win..save a few. It was really odd. We were the talk of NY and garnered some coverage in ATX, but… it was Spring Break and everyone had split.

I know this…that team didn’t lose very many in the Drum. The core of that team was very unique. Moore, Baxter, Murphy, Dotson, Goodner, Carsey, Cunningham, and I were all 4 yr lettermen by the end of our eligibility..Krivacs had transferred in from Auburn, Branyan from JC, and Boyd from LSU but lettered multiple times… and the few remaining were underclassmen..but that core was close, competitive, together, and very unique.

John Danks