Cazzie Returns to the House He Built; U-M Playing His Team in Exhibition
Hadn't seen this posted yet today, but Cazzie Russell is returning to Crisler on Nov. 4, bringing the team he coaches - Armstrong State - to town for an exhibition against us.
I've never heard of Armstrong State and neither have you, but damn, it'll be nice to have Cazzie back in the House He Built.
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072716aaa.html
Only reason I know is my cousin from north east Georgia played woman's bb there
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Been really fortunate enough over the years to see some truly great UM performers. Cazzie ranks among the top. Actually, listened to his exploits so often as an 8th grader on radio and on t.v. during the NCAA tourneys before I became a Michigan football fan.
I thought the entire state was in love with him. I had no idea about the MSU/UM thing at that time. Damn, he could brighten up a Saturday afternoon, listening to the game and Cazzie for two over and over. He is to basketball what Woodson is to football. Great, great bb player.
Damn you, Gail Goodrich.
Your comment about how you got to know Cazzie (radio in grade 8) reminded me of how I got to know about Cazzie. I remember it was a book I read a number of times as a youngster. In that book I learned all about Michigan basketball history.
I had watched Ricky Green, Steve Grote, Wayman Britt, John Robinson, Phil Hubbard, Dave Baxter, Joel Thompson, Alan Hardy, and more.
I was at the time watching Mike McGee, Phil Hubbard, Thad Gardner (!), the Bodnars, and more.
I was reading about Bill Buntin, George Pomey, Oliver Darden, and Cazzie.
A quick google search reminded me of the name of the book (and the author, former Ann Arbor News sports writer who I remembered well, but didn't recall had written the book).
If you are interested in learning about the storied history of Michigan hoops, look to this:
Pigeons, Bloody Noses and Little Skinny Kids: a Story of Woverine Basketball Paperback – 1978
I remember watching all those boys play. Oliver Darden and Bill Buntin made a hell of a front court and they were like 6'5" apiece. Later, Bill played for the short lived Muskegon semi-pro team that was coached by Shelby High School HOF coach, Ed Douma. League didn't last long.
I actually was introducted fot UM bb before fb but fb is an absolute addiction.
"Trigger" Tregoning and Cantrell. For those that missed seeing M basketball in era when Cazzie was there, it was unbelievable. Yost with its dirt floor and the raised court, filled with a "smokey haze" and the bright lights. As an 8 year old kid ... there was nothing better !
Go Blue!
Yes! What a great book.
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My dad had the best seat in the house to watch those guys for a couple years: the bench.
He got to square off against Buntin in practice daily (both played center - my dad is 6'7"). I genuinely wish there was film.
Cazzie Russell and Oliver Darden were student teachers at Tappan for one semester when I went there. I can't imagine that happening nowadays.
For all of you young dudes (under 60), Cazzie is still the best M hoops player to ever where the maize and blue. He was truly special.
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Where did he wear the Maize at?
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chose Dave Bing over Cazzie. Worked out good for both of them though. Even though a 6th man, Cazzie enjoyed playing for a championship team with some of the best players in Knicks' hisotry and well Dave, he did alright for himself.
There was a coin flip between the last place teams in each of the two NBA divisions. The NY Knicks won the toss and so picked Cazzie. The Pistons lost the flip and then took Bing.
TatersGonnaTate
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We seriously need to update Cazzie's Wikipedia page. While I love Steve Novak, there is no way his page should be more impressive than Cazzie's.
Electric!!!!!!!
I didn't know he coached.
We need to pack "The House That Cazzie Built" and stand in ovation for one of the greatest players of his time, if not ever