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millmtnhokie OP
Feb 03, 2025 at 09:23 PM ET
Sad news. John Shumate passed away. I believe he was MVP of 73 NIT won by
VT. He was a great player for Digger

22 Replies

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SHPHOKIE
If my memory is correct, after VT won the game, the network
interviewed John Shumate from the losing team. VT got no respect.
NC Hoke NC Hoke
Yep, he was the tournament MVP.
I watched every game on my 20” black and white TV with rabbit ears.
VTCC 65 VTCC 65
He was good, no doubt
But the tourney MVP was clearly Alan Bristol. aka Junkyard Dog. I was in Taiwan, CCK Air Base, heard the game on Armed Forces Radio
S
Shbolf
I was sitting on the floor under the basket at MSG.
Bristow has Shumate blocked out when the ball swishes. Saw the ref give the it’s good hand sign. Bristow looks at me and says “Did it count?” I screamed Yes!!!!! Shumate dropped to the floor…. Right in front of me Party began!!!!
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
You should've taken a video with your cell phone. Oh wait....
S
Shbolf
If you can find that blurry tape you can see me
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millmtnhokie OP
Great memories
TomTurkey TomTurkey
His acceptance was not joyful. The SI article wasn't flattering to ND eithr
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Tech?"
1
1947Sunbowl
oh my 1973 and some Hokie still harping what a player said in 1973
amazing...
T
TDVick
Is JJ Redick's dad still being held hostage in the VT student section?
but I've moved on. Plus, when was that? 2005. Not like 1973 or anything.
R
radhokie1
fun article to read. thanks for mentioning it.
TomTurkey TomTurkey
-10 The memory was triggered by his death. Catch up.
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millmtnhokie OP
4 games by five points or something like that. Hokies just found a way to
WIN!!!
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Dbl Eagle
I watched three games and went to the Fairfield game.
I believe the first game was New Mexico, then Fairfield and I think the next was Alabama, but I am not sure. The final game was fanastic. I believe Leider made the shot that sent the game to OT and it looked like we tried to set the same play to win the game in OT, but ND had Leider guarded and Stevens took a shot I believe from the top of the key and missed. The ball went to the right corner and Stevens got the ball as it reached the corner and immediately went up with the shot that won the game.
TomTurkey TomTurkey
My recollection watching on TV
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
That's right: 4 games by five points. And I watched every game.
** Edited by YBYSAIAHokie at 2/4/2025, 11:24:57 AM
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millmtnhokie OP
Me too. Craig Leider was great. Big shot to send it to OT if I remember
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
Leider had a killer jump shot. He was listed at 6'-5" but he was
in one of my classes and he wasn't any taller than 6'-2".
MidloHokie MidloHokie
Hmmm. I don't know. I guarded Craig a lot while trying out for the . . .
. . . freshman team in the fall of 1970 (yes, freshmen couldn't play 'varsity' then). I was a legit 6'2" and he was at least 2" than me. Craig was the only guy out of that group that ever played significant minutes.
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
Ok, well you'd be the better judge of his height.
TomTurkey TomTurkey
The "last shot" drawn up for him. Stevens ended up with it.
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VT One
Such is the way of most drawn up basketball plays.