The Bobcat Nation

Darius Brown has 58 steals this season, enough to be 6th all-time in a single season. He only needs two for 5th and six to tie for 4th. He has no chance to get to 1st. So, looking at the single season record for steals, something pops out.

1. 94..........Chris Conway, 1987-88
2. 76 .........Ray Willis, Jr., 1987-88
8. 54..........Tom Domako, 1987-88

What was going on that season? And it wasn’t even tops for team steals per game, but is tops for total steals by one.

1. 10.8…(292)..........1980-81
2. 9.8 …(293)……...... 1987-88

This was when the best I could do to follow the Cats was read the scores in the morning paper, having moved to Vegas in summer ‘86. I remember Domako and Willis from my college days, but never saw Conway play.

Does anyone have recollections of that 87-88 season and the steal-fest?

I’m guessing UMs tackle counter started his stat career in 1987 counting steals for the MSU b-ball team. It’s the only logical conclusion.

That team played a 2-2-1 full court press. I believe they called it the Missile. The resulting pressure led to large numbers of steals and subsequent lay ups. Very fun to watch.

That team played a 2-2-1 full court press. I believe they called it the Missile. The resulting pressure led to large numbers of steals and subsequent lay ups. Very fun to watch.

LTown Cat wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:06 pm

I’m guessing UMs tackle counter started his stat career in 1987 counting steals for the MSU b-ball team. It’s the only logical conclusion.

Never in a million years did I expect Roobie to enter into the calculus.

nevadacat wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 01, 2023 9:06 am

LTown Cat wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:06 pm

I’m guessing UMs tackle counter started his stat career in 1987 counting steals for the MSU b-ball team. It’s the only logical conclusion.

Never in a million years did I expect Roobie to enter into the calculus.

He’s known to be very sneaky. And may not have not have recognized the ∫ sign.

My recollection is that guard Chris Conway played really, really good defense, and was a great all around player.

duelalumnicat wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 01, 2023 5:50 pm

My recollection is that guard Chris Conway played really, really good defense, and was a great all around player.

He was. We had a bunch of great guards around that time, and without a roster I cannot separate them anymore. But I know that Ray Willis, Tony Hampton , Kwesi Coleman, Chris Conway (and maybe one or two more) were all fast, good defenders, aggressive, and most could shoot the lights out. I remember Kwesi Coleman one year that he was coming off the bench. The starters would nearly have run the other team into the ground, and they looked relieved to see our guards leaving the game. Some relief. Kwesi would come in and knock down about three NBA range shots in a row. Big noisy crowds appreciating all of it. Fun memories.

There's also Alonzo Stephens on those late '80s teams, he was a heck of a shooter. Only player I can remember seeing pulling up to shoot a 3 on a breakaway.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 01, 2023 10:55 pm

There's also Alonzo Stephens on those late '80s teams, he was a heck of a shooter. Only player I can remember seeing pulling up to shoot a 3 on a breakaway.

Thanks for Stephens. That was a name that was missing. Breakaway threes? Kwesi Coleman. (Craig Finberg made them for two points!)

Adding Bethel Debnam. Got the gris one year in Missoula.

Two things that season and you guys already talked about the first one. We full court pressed most every game
in a 1-2-2 style that we did call "Missile". Extra points to the person that knew that. I was the point on the press
and Chris and Ray were the two behind me up court. The second thing is probably much overlooked. Ray, Chris, and
I all averaged over 36 minutes played a game that season and that counts the NAIA games were you only play about 25 minutes
because you are killing them. Stu believed we were young and in good shape, so the bench didn't see that much time.

Teams rotate players way more now to get guys minutes. I think that has to do with keeping kids happy and keeping
them from the portal.