This is the second of an as yet undetermined number of episodes which shall be posted intermittently in the weeks to come. In which I provide totally subjective opinionations about Cardinal Hoops superlatives through the decades.

E2: Glue Guys

Not every team needs a glue guy — the baller who fosters cohesiveness — to meet its potential.

Bur some squads do. And it shows.

The most recent example for our purposes, The Ville in the TBT. Talent but too many alphas, no connection, no adhesiveness. Result: Underachievement.

The Cards have had a few important cogs during the decades.

If ever there was a category where we simply acknowledge  the ballers that wore the badge this is the one. No need for a hierarchy.

They are the teammates teams cherish.

The Git Er Done dudes.

The ones who take the key charge, dive out of bounds, bang the opposing star into submission, bust their hump on the boards, turn in the occasional big scoring output in an important game, talk on D, set the pick and cheer mates on with vigor when resting on the pine.

Or just provide substantial psychological spark.

My man Doc, gave me two former Cardinals, one of whom I wouldn’t consider in a million eons, the other about whom I wasn’t sure.

Darryl Cleveland. Who knew?

Well, the guys that observed practices during his stint at U of L. Like my man, Doc.

#24, a Cardinal during the halcyon years of ’77-’80, thus a national champion. A mop up guy who saw action during garbage time. But, a kid who pushed the stars every day in practice, inspiring them. Revered by his mates.

Another more notable figure on the first title team, but for reasons you might not know about.

Poncho Wright. Veritable creator of “The Ville,” a sobriquet for the program that stuck.

Doc advises of a moment in the Madison Square Garden elevator, after the Cards had been manhandled by Jeff Ruland and the Iona Gaels, 60-77 on February 21 at the end of an absurd stretch of 6 games in 13 days, most on the road, travel snafus, etc.

On the elevator with Denny, players including Wright after the L, getting ready to head to Mama Leone’s for a postgame feedbag, all were down. First setback since just before New Year’s.

Wright: “That’s the last game we lose.”

Let it be said. Let it be done.

That spirit force was a key factor in the Cardinals’ run the crown.

 * * * * *

Others in no particular order. And for different reasons, none empirical.

Vlad Gastevich (’52-’55). Mostly, to be frank, because I love to pull his name out of my hat. But, always a peripheral contributing guy on the teams leading up to the NIT title.

Mike Lawhon. The guy could take a charge. And then another.

Herb Crook. Superb. Best second forward ever? Big game if you needed it. Like against the Tar Heels in ’86 Regional semi, when Cards did what that champion did. Outscored the Smithies by 15 in the last four minutes.

Crook was 10/10 at the stripe, tallied 20, 9 boards. During the game — which I just rewatched for reasons that may or may not become apparent in a future post — Packer and Musburger* both commented as how Herb did the dirty work that needed to be done. At which key point when NC had come back in the 2d, Crook got a follow deuce, then stole the ball next trip by the Baby Blues.

*Of note, Cards game was shown in prime time, Cats vs. Crimson Tide later on tape delay. 45 second clock. Who remembers that?

BJ Flynn. Big Blue progeny, who would fling himself anywhere to grab the rock.

Larry O’Bannon. The Rick wouldn’t even let him travel to Birmingham for subregional in ’03. Saved the day against Pittsnoggle two seasons later.

Dwayne Sutton. Swiss Army Knife.

J’Vonne Hadley. A Pat Kelsey ReviVille gem. Does what needs to be done.

Ellis Myles. The Rick offered him a plane ticket back to Compton early on. Never took a jumper. Only one to make Seth Davis’s official All Glue Guy team, in ’03.

Key Cardinals all. Invaluable.

— c d kaplan