UL Athlete Andrew Toney

[zephyr]

_ I have to disagree with you. Let's not get pro basketball confused with college basketball. Bo Lamar was the greatest player in UL history and was a better pure shooter. If there had been a 3 point shot back then, Lamar would have averaged about 45 a game. Toney was quicker and stronger and had a game and body built for the NBA, Lamar did not. I was around for both and saw all of their games at Blackham. Toney was a great player, but Lamar was The Man (in college). _

I was going to mention the same thing. I never really got a chance to watch either, I watched Toney when I was about 5-6 years old so I really have no recollection but the things I've heard, read and talked about with my father were that Lamar was on another level in college.

[Duggie35]

_ I have to disagree with you. Let's not get pro basketball confused with college basketball. Bo Lamar was the greatest player in UL history and was a better pure shooter. If there had been a 3 point shot back then, Lamar would have averaged about 45 a game. Toney was quicker and stronger and had a game and body built for the NBA, Lamar did not. I was around for both and saw all of their games at Blackham. Toney was a great player, but Lamar was The Man (in college). _

I was also fortunate enough to be around for both Bo and Andrew's careers here at UL. Bo Lamar will always be "The Man" and the best offensive player in UL history, but his defense left something to be desired. However, Andrew also played defense. So when you combine his play on both ends of the court, Mr. Toney is probably the best overall player to ever put on a Cajun uniform.

It's ashame that Cajun fans who were not around in the 70's and 80's don't have any idea of what Cajun basketball used to be. Although we have had a "few" good teams since then, the overall program is nowhere close to what it was during the days of Coaches Shipley, Hatfield and the early years of Pascal.

It's way past time to do what needs to be done to start the rebuilding process!!!!

[IHateLaState]

_ I was also fortunate enough to be around for both Bo and Andrew's careers here at UL. Bo Lamar will always be "The Man" and the best offensive player in UL history, but his defense left something to be desired. However, Andrew also played defense. So when you combine his play on both ends of the court, Mr. Toney is probably the best overall player to ever put on a Cajun uniform.

It's ashame that Cajun fans who were not around in the 70's and 80's don't have any idea of what Cajun basketball used to be. Although we have had a "few" good teams since then, the overall program is nowhere close to what it was during the days of Coaches Shipley, Hatfield and the early years of Pascal.

It's way past time to do what needs to be done to start the rebuilding process!!!! _

Its hard to choose from these two... Bo and Andrew.... During the Bo years we were legitimate National Championship contenders... something I mentioned awhile back and was scoffed at by some younger posters... i.e. the idea that UL ever had a truely elite basketball program... we did... Bo and Roy Ebron and the others were mentioned in the same vien as Bill Walton and UCLA back then.... Then the Death Penalty to which we recovered and came on with Andrew Toney and an NIT Final Four appearance...

This is why it is soo hard for some of us to see what this program has become... why some of us say it is indeed possible for UL to have a quality basketball program... why changes need to be made

[HoustonCajun]

_ Its hard to choose from these two... Bo and Andrew.... During the Bo years we were legitimate National Championship contenders... something I mentioned awhile back and was scoffed at by some younger posters... i.e. the idea that UL ever had a truely elite basketball program... we did... Bo and Roy Ebron and the others were mentioned in the same vien as Bill Walton and UCLA back then.... Then the Death Penalty to which we recovered and came on with Andrew Toney and an NIT Final Four appearance...

This is why it is soo hard for some of us to see what this program has become... why some of us say it is indeed possible for UL to have a quality basketball program... why changes need to be made _

Not only that, but Roy Ebron was on the cover of Sports Illustrated along with Bill Walton and two others. They said Ebron was the only center in the country who could possibly play with Walton and USL was picked as a national contender that year. Also, there were Small College and Major College basketball divisions back then, as I remember it. USL was Small College one year and Bo Lamar led the nation in scoring with something like 35 points a game. The next year, USL went Major College and Lamar again led the nation in scoring with over 32 points a game. I saw him score 51 vs. LA Tech in Ruston and he came out of the game with about 3 minutes left. Some great basketball was played back then, particularly LA Tech and Lamar who had outstanding teams and also could play with anyone. Bo Lamar could shoot the lights out and would have averaged over 45 points a game if we had the 3 point shot back then. He was truly a pure shooter. Toney had an awkward shot as I remember. Quick and strong, but no way the shooter Lamar was. What was also great is that as students, we had to get to Blackham about 5:00 for a 7:30 game to get a seat. Blackham was rocking back then and USL basketball was a hot ticket.

[Duggie35]

What was also great is that as students, we had to get to Blackham about 5:00 for a 7:30 game to get a seat. Blackham was rocking back then and USL basketball was a hot ticket. _

I was in high school at the time and didn't have a USL Student ID. Therefore, on game days I would ride my bicycle to school and when school wuld let out at around 3:00 pm, I'd ride straight to Blackham to get in line for a general admission ticket. I always was able to get in the games, but in order to do so I had to stand in line at the ticket office for at least 3 to 4 hours for every game.

It was well worth waiting in line in order to attend those games and have the privalege of watching the greatest players and teams in UL history. I'd love for history to repeat itself one day!

[cajun67]

_ I have to disagree with you. Let's not get pro basketball confused with college basketball. Bo Lamar was the greatest player in UL history and was a better pure shooter. If there had been a 3 point shot back then, Lamar would have averaged about 45 a game. Toney was quicker and stronger and had a game and body built for the NBA, Lamar did not. I was around for both and saw all of their games at Blackham. Toney was a great player, but Lamar was The Man (in college). _

I loved watching Toney and Lamar. Was in school with Bo. But must disagree; the best basketball player we have ever had (since 1963) was Roy Ebron. Bo was great (not too strong a percentage shooter on long ones) and great fun to watch; but Roy could take over the game. 20 rebounds and 20 points were not unusual. Mostly missed shots from Bo. Again, loved Bo; great player esp. for college. But Bo couldh't shoot over Roy. Have never seen someone dominate inside like he could - when he wanted to. Note I am not saying he was the most focused player we ever had. Fun to disagree when we are talking about Andrew and Bo, isn't it!!

[Chanel]

He is a teach/coach in Atlanta, Georgia

[zephyr]

_ I was in high school at the time and didn't have a USL Student ID. Therefore, on game days I would ride my bicycle to school and when school wuld let out at around 3:00 pm, I'd ride straight to Blackham to get in line for a general admission ticket. I always was able to get in the games, but in order to do so I had to stand in line at the ticket office for at least 3 to 4 hours for every game.

It was well worth waiting in line in order to attend those games and have the privalege of watching the greatest players and teams in UL history. I'd love for history to repeat itself one day! _

Guys, stop it already. You're making me jealous.

[HoustonCajun]

_ I loved watching Toney and Lamar. Was in school with Bo. But must disagree; the best basketball player we have ever had (since 1963) was Roy Ebron. Bo was great (not too strong a percentage shooter on long ones) and great fun to watch; but Roy could take over the game. 20 rebounds and 20 points were not unusual. Mostly missed shots from Bo. Again, loved Bo; great player esp. for college. But Bo couldh't shoot over Roy. Have never seen someone dominate inside like he could - when he wanted to. Note I am not saying he was the most focused player we ever had. Fun to disagree when we are talking about Andrew and Bo, isn't it!! _

This really brings up some great memories. You know, USL back then had unbelievable talent before we got the death penalty. Off of those teams, Fred Saunders played for the Celtics, Lamar was a #1 draft pick for San Diego in the ABA, Marvin Winkler played with Jabbar at Milwaukee, not sure what happened to Ebron or Tree Loftin or Jerry Bisbano. USL recruited a guy named Larry Fogle, HS All American and one of the most talented players in the country. Had to release his scholarship because of the death penalty. If we had just been put on probation, the talent we had coming up was scary good. Your statement about Ebron is pretty strong. Sports Illustrated thought a lot about him, too, as they said he was the only center in the country who could play with Bill Walton. To me, Bo Lamar was the star of the team. He could shoot lights out, led the nation in scoring, did spectacular things on the court, and was the face of USL basketball. We had a pretty formidable team playing a 1-3-1 zone defense with Bisbano on the baseline, Lamar at the point and Saunders, Loftin and Ebron in the middle.

Great basketball that I will never forget. Here is just one of many - remember playing Long Beach State with Jerry Tarkanian at the Bayou Classic? Sports Illustrated did a full article on the game and our tournament. As I recall, Ed Ratliff was an All American at LBSU and was a high school teammate of Lamar. USL went up there to recruit Ratliff and ended up with Lamar instead. Turned out to be a pretty good move for USL. LBSU was a top 10 team then and we won.

Still, my fondest memories were the LA Tech games. Tech had a great team as well back then with a 6'10" center named Green and a great shooting guard. That rivalry back then was some of the best basketball I've seen.

Read Coach Shipley and Ron Gomez's book. USL was a trendsetter back then and paved the way for integration in basketball in the South. Politics eventually killed our program. Where would UL basketball be today if not for the death penalty? We had the talent built up to replace Lamar, Ebron, et al and would have become a perennial national power.

[IHateLaState]

_ This really brings up some great memories. You know, USL back then had unbelievable talent before we got the death penalty. Off of those teams, Fred Saunders played for the Celtics, Lamar was a #1 draft pick for San Diego in the ABA, Marvin Winkler played with Jabbar at Milwaukee, not sure what happened to Ebron or Tree Loftin or Jerry Bisbano. USL recruited a guy named Larry Fogle, HS All American and one of the most talented players in the country. Had to release his scholarship because of the death penalty. If we had just been put on probation, the talent we had coming up was scary good. Your statement about Ebron is pretty strong. Sports Illustrated thought a lot about him, too, as they said he was the only center in the country who could play with Bill Walton. To me, Bo Lamar was the star of the team. He could shoot lights out, led the nation in scoring, did spectacular things on the court, and was the face of USL basketball. We had a pretty formidable team playing a 1-3-1 zone defense with Bisbano on the baseline, Lamar at the point and Saunders, Loftin and Ebron in the middle.

Great basketball that I will never forget. Here is just one of many - remember playing Long Beach State with Jerry Tarkanian at the Bayou Classic? Sports Illustrated did a full article on the game and our tournament. As I recall, Ed Ratliff was an All American at LBSU and was a high school teammate of Lamar. USL went up there to recruit Ratliff and ended up with Lamar instead. Turned out to be a pretty good move for USL. LBSU was a top 10 team then and we won.

Still, my fondest memories were the LA Tech games. Tech had a great team as well back then with a 6'10" center named Green and a great shooting guard. That rivalry back then was some of the best basketball I've seen.

Read Coach Shipley and Ron Gomez's book. USL was a trendsetter back then and paved the way for integration in basketball in the South. Politics eventually killed our program. Where would UL basketball be today if not for the death penalty? We had the talent built up to replace Lamar, Ebron, et al and would have become a perennial national power. _

Great memories indeed... thats why some of us old timers get so frustrated witht he current state of affairs. We do have a history in basketball of being at the very higest level..

I would disagree with you on the death penalty being the reason our basketball program fell off... For quite a few years after we had good talent come in here... Andrew Toney, the subject of this thread, comes immediately to mind.... NIT Final Four and numerous NCAA tournament teams... I forget the year but we were playing in the New Mexico rgional and had a 5 point lead with under 3 minutes to go to the Sweet Sixteen.... I think with anyone who would give a darn as our AD.... getting a different coach... just like in football this is a sleeping giant....

Finally what one comes away with from reading Shipley and Gomez' book is the role politics played in the death penalty. We were mavericks in recruiting black athletes... LSU and many in the South were enraged.... When the opportunity came to "put us in our place" it face no resistence from anyone in Louisiana.... and that mindset remains to this day... the name change... recruiting black athletes.... the LSU powers recognize that we dont toe the line...

Anyway good memories... perhaps someday someone will stand up and say we can be better.... let the black athletes know we are NOT a racist school (as some will contend in light of the firing of Baldwin a few years back).... but rather WE opened the way for them...

[HoustonCajun]

_ Great memories indeed... thats why some of us old timers get so frustrated witht he current state of affairs. We do have a history in basketball of being at the very higest level..

I would disagree with you on the death penalty being the reason our basketball program fell off... For quite a few years after we had good talent come in here... Andrew Toney, the subject of this thread, comes immediately to mind.... NIT Final Four and numerous NCAA tournament teams... I forget the year but we were playing in the New Mexico rgional and had a 5 point lead with under 3 minutes to go to the Sweet Sixteen.... I think with anyone who would give a darn as our AD.... getting a different coach... just like in football this is a sleeping giant....

Finally what one comes away with from reading Shipley and Gomez' book is the role politics played in the death penalty. We were mavericks in recruiting black athletes... LSU and many in the South were enraged.... When the opportunity came to "put us in our place" it face no resistence from anyone in Louisiana.... and that mindset remains to this day... the name change... recruiting black athletes.... the LSU powers recognize that we dont toe the line...

Anyway good memories... perhaps someday someone will stand up and say we can be better.... let the black athletes know we are NOT a racist school (as some will contend in light of the firing of Baldwin a few years back).... but rather WE opened the way for them... _

If I'm not mistaken, the New Mexico Regional was Bo Lamar's final year. We lost to Kansas State. That was our last game, I think, before the death penalty, because we filed a court injunction to allow us to participate in the NCAA when we were banned for violations. The NIT Final Four was post death penalty under Pascal, I believe, as was our winning the Great Alaska Shootout, beating Georgetown and Patrick Ewing for the crown. And, I believe we did both within just 2-3 years following our return from the 2 year death penalty. I don't know how or why we were not able to sustain that and why we got ourselves into this current mess. Bungled hiring by our AD on the cheap, I suspect, is the cause. Then again, doing everything on the cheap seems to be the main cause of most of UL's problems.

[Tiredof theBS]

Did I see Andrew Toney in Lafayette today??? Is he here for an interview???