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Originally Posted by Nirvana91
Man, I dunno...... Point taken, but it was nonetheless the NIT..... I'd still say the 2002 team was bigger, but then again I didn't go to SIU, and I wasn't even ALIVE for the 1967 team, so I'll just take your word for it 
I guess that leads to the argument of, would you rather win the NIT or lose early on in the NCAA's? |
Nah, the Salukis were easily one of the best teams in the country in '67...and upset some much "bigger" teams along the way. Granted, they weren't up to par with the Alcindor-led Bruins teams...but the '67 NIT title wasn't the "66th" place honor that it is today. They were a legitimate championship squad and Frazier was one of the best players in the country.
I guess it all comes down to context, but I think it is a no-brainer that the '67 team was (and remains) the greatest hoops team in SIU history. Of course, I wasn't alive for it either...but you can still take my word for it.
Anyway, back on point (sort of): Weber was a savior for the SIU program, that much is for sure. Not only that, but 2002 truly
was magical (I'm glad I was in C'dale to experience the atmosphere) and he was a real class act to boot. The guy may not be a great coach, but he isn't chopped liver either. I'd say he's pretty darned good.
EDIT: re 1967. Keep this in mind, too. In '67 the Salukis wouldn't have played in the NCAA Tourny anyway. As a "small school" they were only eligible for the NCAA College Division Tourny, one they had been runner-up in for two consecutive years. Coach Jack Hartman actually turned down a bid in '67 to take his kids into the much tougher NIT so they could "prove it against the big boys"...