Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMuch to players’ delight, Evansville leaves sleeves
By Sandy Weintraub
Posted: 2/13/03, 12:29 AM EST Section: Sports
He thought the unique uniforms would be more comfortable to players used to wearing T-shirts during practice because of drafty conditions in the practice facility. McCutchan's teams wore the jerseys for 31 years. During his tenure, the Aces won 514 games and five NCAA College Division championships.
After McCutchan retired in 1977, the sleeves were briefly retired until coach Jim Crews, now head coach at Army, decided to revive the tradition.
"Crews brought back the sleeves as a tribute to Coach McCutchan and his players," Evansville Sports Information Director Bob Boxell said.
McGillis, the current athletics director, said a few players believed some recruits shied away from Evansville solely because of the sleeves.
"It is unfortunate and sad that kids focus on material things," McGillis said. "But that is reality."
To keep the tradition alive, Boxell said the Aces will wear red socks at all home games this season, another trademark of McCutchan's teams.
"Sometimes, change is good," junior guard Clint Cuffle told the Courier and Press. "Just because the sleeves aren't there, the tradition still is."
NO. 10 NOTRE DAME (+2.5) AT NO. 17 SYRACUSE
SATURDAY, 1 P.M., ESPN
Two weeks ago, Pittsburgh came to the Carrier Dome with a chance to become the nation’s No. 1 team and left with a heartbreaking, last-second loss.
Saturday, the Fighting Irish travel to Syracuse in an attempt to hand the Orangemen their first home loss of the season.
To protect their home court, the Orangemen will need an improved performance from guards Billy Edelin and Gerry McNamara, especially when defending Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas.
PICK: SYRACUSE 65, NOTRE DAME 62
NO. 2 LOUISVILLE (-2.5) AT NO. 11 MARQUETTE
SATURDAY, 3:30 P.M., ABC
Louisville, the only team in the nation with one loss, travels to Milwaukee to meet conference-foe Marquette and Wooden Award candidate Dwyane Wade.
After McCutchan retired in 1977, the sleeves were briefly retired until coach Jim Crews, now head coach at Army, decided to revive the tradition.
"Crews brought back the sleeves as a tribute to Coach McCutchan and his players," Evansville Sports Information Director Bob Boxell said.
McGillis, the current athletics director, said a few players believed some recruits shied away from Evansville solely because of the sleeves.
"It is unfortunate and sad that kids focus on material things," McGillis said. "But that is reality."
To keep the tradition alive, Boxell said the Aces will wear red socks at all home games this season, another trademark of McCutchan's teams.
"Sometimes, change is good," junior guard Clint Cuffle told the Courier and Press. "Just because the sleeves aren't there, the tradition still is."
NO. 10 NOTRE DAME (+2.5) AT NO. 17 SYRACUSE
SATURDAY, 1 P.M., ESPN
Two weeks ago, Pittsburgh came to the Carrier Dome with a chance to become the nation’s No. 1 team and left with a heartbreaking, last-second loss.
Saturday, the Fighting Irish travel to Syracuse in an attempt to hand the Orangemen their first home loss of the season.
To protect their home court, the Orangemen will need an improved performance from guards Billy Edelin and Gerry McNamara, especially when defending Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas.
PICK: SYRACUSE 65, NOTRE DAME 62
NO. 2 LOUISVILLE (-2.5) AT NO. 11 MARQUETTE
SATURDAY, 3:30 P.M., ABC
Louisville, the only team in the nation with one loss, travels to Milwaukee to meet conference-foe Marquette and Wooden Award candidate Dwyane Wade.
