The 2018 Jimmy V Classic
Don’t give up… don’t ever give up. Those words were spoken by none other than Jim Valvano, the legendary coach and broadcaster who led a NC State Wolfpack won the 1983 National Championship vs a highly favored Houston team. Jimmy V gave a remarkable speech at the 1993 ESPY’s. He gave the speech less than two months before his death from adenocarcinoma, a type of many glandular cancers. Every year the Jimmy V Classic brings 4 elite college programs together to battle for superiority. This years matchups were Notre Dame vs Oklahoma and West Virginia vs Florida. The games were both good and each team fought very hard to come out with the W.
Jim Valvano at the 1993 ESPY awards. Photo Chapelboro.com
The first game of the evening matched up two equally talented teams in Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Both teams are well coached programs who always produce pro level talent almost every year. Missing their big man Jamuni McNeace, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, OU changed their game plan a bit. The Sooners came of firing on all cylinders and shot the ball very well, especially from 3 point territory where they finished the game 15-29 collectively.
Anytime you can bring a team to MSG, that’s special. We appreciate the opportunity and excited about playing here. And then of course, The Jimmy V Classic, what a great cause.
-Oklahoma Sooner Head Coach Lon Kruger
The Fighting Irish kept the game close with their ability to score in transition and force a few turnovers. Even though they were able to keep the game close throughout, Notre Dame simply couldn’t capture and hold onto a lead. In fact, the only time they had a lead it was early in the first half and it was only a 2 point lead. The Sooners pulled off the victory 85-80 and were both happy and proud of the victory. The Dooners were led by Senior guard Christian James with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Sophomore Forward Brady Manek chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. On the losing end junior guard Temple “TJ” Gibbs Jr. poured in 18 points for the fighting Irish.
Graduate Guard Aaron. calixte finds the open man. The Oklahoma Sooners came out with the victory 85-80. Photo His Vision Photography
Oklahoma Head Coach Lon Kruger was content with the effort his team put forth on a huge stage like Madison Square Garden. He said “Anytime you can bring a team to MSG, that’s special. We appreciate the opportunity and excited about playing here. And then of course, The Jimmy V Classic, what a great cause. Everyone’s been touched by cancer and coaches throughout the country do a terrific job in raising funds and awareness and research dollars, so to be a part of that is very special and our players are aware of that as well”.
I’ve fixed it before, and when I can’t fix it, I cut it out. It’s not fair to everybody else. That’s why they call it a team. We’ll fix it or we’ll cut it out.
– Coach Bob Huggins on the issues plaguing his West Virginia team.
The nightcap of the evening featured a pretty entertaining game between the West Virginia Mountaineers vs the Florida Gators. Florida Head coach Mike White’s Gators came out the gate strong and forced 10 first half turnovers and held the Mountaineers to just 31% from the field. West Virginia looked lost on the court for most of the first half until about 3 minutes left when they put together a 9-0 run that left them trailing by 3 at the half. Just moments into the 2nd half the Mountaineers would capture the lead and the momentum. That momentum was short lived because Florida went on a 14-2 run and never looked back. They came away with the win 66-56 and put on a show for the University of Florida dominant Madison Square Garden crowd.
The Florida Gator bench looks on as Jr. Guard James Bolden pulls up for the jumper. Photo by His Vision Photography
Coach Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers have gotten off to a very lackluster start this season. Their trio of Esa Ahmad, Sagaba Konate and Beetle Bolden combined for a 6 of 29 shooting night for 27 points when they average around 40 points combined. At times it felt like the Florida Gators were the only team to show the sense of urgency that was needed to win the game. The West Virginia Mountaineers really need to step up their intensity, especially on the defensive end. Huggins feels as though it’s still early in the season and adjustments can salvage the season. “Well, I think I can fix it,” Huggins said said. “I’ve fixed it before, and when I can’t fix it, I cut it out. It’s not fair to everybody else. That’s why they call it a team. We’ll fix it or we’ll cut it out.”
Freshman Guard Keyontae Johnson hammers down the two handed dunk in traffic. Photo His Vision Photography
We look forward to following the seasons of those teams who participated in the 2018 Jimmy V Classic. We are all affected by Cancer in some way and we will continue to support The Jimmy V Foundation for their efforts in trying to not let Jim Valvano’s mission go silent. Make sure to visit JimmyV.org and make a donation to help cure this devastating disease. Your donation funds breakthrough cancer research and are 100% tax deductible. Plus, every single penny will go to cancer research and programs, thanks to the V Foundation’s endowment, which covers administrative expenses. Salute ?