RMK's Age 78 Health Declining

[4Q_iu]

McCracken was truly biased and not in a positive sense and “guilty as the abuser” is nonsense. We know Knight was not a “knight” but he could Coach basketball. You really don’t like him and it seems personal. The good, the bad, and the ugly!

Won't dispute that about McCracken, from what I read he could have had Oscar Robertson but wouldn't, couldn't have another African-American player - I believe Hallie Bryant was still in gloomington... He also could have had Wilt Chamberlain, was a even.willing to spend more than Kansas did to land him but Kansas did a "better" job of disguising Kansas' racial issues than McCracken did Indiana's.
Regardless, pretty sure McCracken NEVER shot his unarmed friend in the back (ala RMK)

 

[AzHoopsjunkie]

For a good read check out Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball. Written by a woman whose dad played at Garrett’s HS, Rachel Graham Cody. Her dad collaborated. It’s a story with roots near my home; well-written IMHO. According to the book, McCracken was very unwilling to break the Big 10’s “gentlemen’s agreement” to remain segregated in basketball. He caved to strong pressure from Herman Welles and some effective advocates from Indy.

 

[Buckhorn]

Southern Indiana Coaching Legends - What two farm boys grew up in Centerton, Indiana and went on to win a combined twelve NCAA Championships in basketball?)


JOHN WOODEN

Answer to part one of the trivia question:

John Wooden, the greatest coach in the history of the game, was born in Hall, Indiana in 1910. When he was 8 years old his family moved to a farm in Centerton, IN, (population 86), where he lived until he was 14. Most people know he won 10 NCAA Championships while building a powerhouse at UCLA.

Branch McCracken

The Wooden Farm in Centerton backed up against the farm of another basketball loving farmboy, two years older, named Branch McCracken. Branch McCracken went on to play for Everett Dean at Indiana and then succeeded him in coaching after his professional playing career was over. While coaching at Indiana, McCracken built the team into a national powerhouse, leading the Hoosiers to two NCAA titles in 1940 and 1953.

Only in Indiana can you have such a story where two boys from one town, population 86, go on to become legendary coaches, combining for an unbelievable 12 NCAA Championships. Coincidentally, it was in the McCracken’s barn where John Wooden played his earliest basketball, so perhaps, Wooden was McCraken’s greatest student. However, the boys never got to play on the same team in school, as the Woodens moved to Martinsville and the McCrackens moved to Monrovia, making the boys both high school rivals, and then later on, college rivals with Wooden a three time All-American at Purdue and McCracken a three time All-American at IU.

Another twist to the story

Martinsville and Monrovia were in the same county and only ten miles away from each other. Wooden (and Martinsville) was coached by legendary coach Glenn Curtis, while McCracken (and Monrovia High) was coached by Glenn’s younger brother, Herb.

Monrovia went 26 and 1 in McCracken’s senior year, but were defeated in the sectional by the sophomore Wooden and Martinsville. Wooden would lead Martinsville to the state championship the following year.

Yet another twist

UCLA originally offered Branch McCracken their head coaching job in 1948, and a $14,000 annual salary, a then huge sum of money. McCracken had just signed a new 10 year contract at IU and decided he needed to honor his commitment. When he informed UCLA of his decision, they asked him whom he would recommend. He suggested they speak to his boyhood friend who had just led Indiana State to a runner up finish in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

 

[region rat]

Won't dispute that about McCracken, from what I read he could have had Oscar Robertson but wouldn't, couldn't have another African-American player - I believe Hallie Bryant was still in gloomington... He also could have had Wilt Chamberlain, was a even.willing to spend more than Kansas did to land him but Kansas did a "better" job of disguising Kansas' racial issues than McCracken did Indiana's.
Regardless, pretty sure McCracken NEVER shot his unarmed friend in the back (ala RMK)

I think you are correct on all of these!