02 APR 1988: Kansas forward Danny Manning (25) during the NCAA Men's National Basketball Final Four semifinal game held in Kansas City, MO, at Kemper Arena. Kansas defeated Duke 66-59 to meet Oklahoma for the championship. Manning was named MVP for the tournament. Photo by Rich Clarkson/NCAA Photos.
SI CD 0023-11
DOG COMMENTARY:
This 1988 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals Game featured two storied college basketball programs and two College Basketball Hall of Fame Coaches….with the Duke Blue Devils and Coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K)….and the Kansas Jayhawks with their Coach Larry Brown….who brought their talented squads to this game seen herewith….with a chance to play for the National Championship if they won when they faced off on April 2, 1988 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Duke Blue Devils key players consisted of 6′ 10″ Sophomore C Alaa Abdeinaby, 6’10” Junior F/C Danny Ferry, 6′ 2″ Sophomore G Chris Piper, 6′ 6″ Senior F Billy King, 6′ 3″ Junior G Quin Snyder and 6′ 6″ Freshman F Greg Koubek….while the Kansas Jayhawks key players consisted of 6′ 3″ Junior G Scooter Berry, 6′ 0″ Junior G Otis Livingston, 6′ 10″ Senior F/C Danny Manning, 6′ 5″ Junior G/F Milt Newton, 6′ 3″ Sophomore G Kevin Pritchard and 6′ 9″ Sophomore F Mark Randall.
These two teams had played each other earlier during the regular season on February 20, 1988 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas….when # 6 Duke defeated the Jayhawks in overtime by a score of 74 – 70….but in this semifinals game….the Jayhawks upset the Blue Devils by a score of 66 – 59….as the boys from Kansas were rapidly becoming known as Danny and the Miracles….as a result of the unbelievably outstanding play of Danny Manning….who would lead his team to victory with 25 points and 10 rebounds….as Danny Ferry would lead Duke with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
The truth be known….when ANY college basketball fan or Sportsphile gets an opportunity to watch Duke vs Kansas in a game coached by two legendary coaches in Coach K and Larry Brown….it really doesn’t matter who is on their teams…albeit this one does showcase two of college basketball’s best ever in Danny Manning and Danny Ferry….a video like this is simply MUST SEE TV!!! ENJOY!!!
