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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 20, 2022 23:41:39 GMT -5
Someone here (PTCT?) mentioned the 2012 team's run through the HL tournament in a thread within the past few days, and it hit me that this is the ten year anniversary of that team. Sometimes it seems like it was yesterday, some times it seems like it was a LONG time ago.
Doesn't look like the University is planning any recognition for that team, so here's a thread that I will be using to look back on that season using an "On this date..." format. I wish I would have thought to do it at the start of the year.
On this date (January 20) in 2012, the Titans were sitting at 9-11, 3-5 in the conference, and coming off a loss at Milwaukee, 84-74. The Titan season started without Eli Holman, who was sitting for disciplinary reasons and missed the first ten games. We took another hit when Nick Minnerath was lost for the season with a knee injury. He had been off to a hot start, averaging 12 ppg while shooting 53/44/86. We would miss him all season, but especially early. Sophomore Ray McCallum was the star of the team, but it was a balanced attack, as five players would end the season averaging double figures, and human highlight reel Doug Anderson would average 9.
Early season highlights had included a home win over St. John's, and a home win in OT over Austin Peay in an exciting game. You could see potential in promising performances in close losses to Notre Dame, #16 ranked Alabama, and #17 Mississippi State (a home game!). Detroit dropped four of five in the immediate aftermath of the Minnerath injury, but got a big boost when Holman returned on December 8 and scored 21 points in a win over Western Michigan.
There was frustration among the Titan faithful ten years ago today. The season had started with high hopes, and the Holman suspension and Minnerath injury had dampened that enthusiasm. On the other hand, we had gone 4-2 in the six games before that Milwaukee loss, and there was a sense that things might be getting on track.
On January 20, 2012, we were prepping for a home game against Wright State the following day. I was unaware of the run we were about to go on to close the regular season.
Seriously, it's hard to believe sometimes that this was ten years ago.
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Post by happy on Jan 21, 2022 0:39:52 GMT -5
That team was fun to watch. Hoping this year's team will still have time to accomplish and learn from their example, how to work through challenges and make positive adjustments. Little by little and focus on small improvements. Over time the small baby steps start to accumulate. Just like the 2012 team worked through, it can be done.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 21, 2022 19:46:12 GMT -5
On this date, January 21, in 2012...
The Titans defeated Wright State at Calihan Hall, 69-53. The game was close for ten minutes before U-D got rolling and extended to a 13 point lead at the half. In the second half, the lead grew to 25.
A balanced offensive attack was led by Chase Simon hitting 4-9 from three on his way to 16 points. McCallum hit 13 points and grabbed 6 boards, while Calliste had 12 and Evan B chipped in with ten with one of his better games of the year. However, it was the defense that stood out in this one, as the Titans forced 18 turnovers.
The win improved the Titans to 10-11, 4-5. I was at this game and seem to remember a gravity defying play from Doug Anderson, but I could be getting that mixed up with another one of his displays. He had at least one per game.
Official attendance was 2247.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 25, 2022 16:20:49 GMT -5
On this date, January 25, in 2012...
The Titans improved to 11-11, 5-5, with a 67-52 win over Loyola. The Ramblers came into Calihan with an 0-9 conference record, and Detroit took the lead early and never gave it up. Eli Holman had his 26th career double double with 15 and 12 off the bench, while Lamarcus Lowe had an exceptional game starting at center, with 14 points, 7 boards, and 4 blocks. Ray and Jason joined the two big men in double figures.
Ray led the team in minutes played with 37, which was on the high side for him. He averaged just under 34 minutes per game that season. The Titans had a deep backcourt, and with PJ Boutte and Donovan Foster on the bench, there were ball handlers who could give Ray and Jason a break.
Official attendance was 1,985.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 27, 2022 19:58:50 GMT -5
On this date, January 27, 2012...we were playing UIC, just like we are tonight, ten years later.
U-D got their second straight win over a Windy City team, beating the flames 70-66. The Titans were led by Ray McCallum, who had one of his best games of the year. Ray scored 26 points on only 11 shots from the floor, a line that UD Baller will love. Eli Holman his 16 points on 6-7 from the floor, as Ray and Eli's shooting off set Chase and Jason combining for 5-18 from the floor. Ray also had 6 boards, 4 assists, two steals and a block.
With the win, that Titans avenged a December loss to the Flames and crept over the .500 mark at 12-11, 6-5.
Official attendance was 2318.
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Post by mooseguy1 on Jan 27, 2022 21:06:10 GMT -5
Someone here (PTCT?) mentioned the 2012 team's run through the HL tournament in a thread within the past few days, and it hit me that this is the ten year anniversary of that team. Sometimes it seems like it was yesterday, some times it seems like it was a LONG time ago. Doesn't look like the University is planning any recognition for that team, so here's a thread that I will be using to look back on that season using an "On this date..." format. I wish I would have thought to do it at the start of the year. On this date (January 20) in 2012, the Titans were sitting at 9-11, 3-5 in the conference, and coming off a loss at Milwaukee, 84-74. The Titan season started without Eli Holman, who was sitting for disciplinary reasons and missed the first ten games. We took another hit when Nick Minnerath was lost for the season with a knee injury. He had been off to a hot start, averaging 12 ppg while shooting 53/44/86. We would miss him all season, but especially early. Sophomore Ray McCallum was the star of the team, but it was a balanced attack, as five players would end the season averaging double figures, and human highlight reel Doug Anderson would average 9. Early season highlights had included a home win over St. John's, and a home win in OT over Austin Peay in an exciting game. You could see potential in promising performances in close losses to Notre Dame, #16 ranked Alabama, and #17 Mississippi State (a home game!). Detroit dropped four of five in the immediate aftermath of the Minnerath injury, but got a big boost when Holman returned on December 8 and scored 21 points in a win over Western Michigan. There was frustration among the Titan faithful ten years ago today. The season had started with high hopes, and the Holman suspension and Minnerath injury had dampened that enthusiasm. On the other hand, we had gone 4-2 in the six games before that Milwaukee loss, and there was a sense that things might be getting on track. On January 20, 2012, we were prepping for a home game against Wright State the following day. I was unaware of the run we were about to go on to close the regular season. Seriously, it's hard to believe sometimes that this was ten years ago. Oh, man, so true! Time just flies. Back then, we had Reggie, Mr. Buysse, my dad, my father-in-law. ENJOY it while you can is what I take away from it.
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Post by mooseguy1 on Jan 27, 2022 21:07:21 GMT -5
Life is just sad sometimes.
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Post by mooseguy1 on Jan 27, 2022 21:09:10 GMT -5
Ray McCallum was a fine player. And a good guy, too. I'm glad I jumped onboard in time to watch him play.
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Post by uofdfan1983 on Jan 27, 2022 23:16:01 GMT -5
Moose, one of my biggest recollections of that season (and there still are many -- the memory fades but not for U-D basketball so much ) -- occurred after the thumping we gave Valpo to win the Championship, as I got on our bus afterwards for the trip home: 1. I immediately called Reggie. He was told by Channel 7 that he better not take off work again, so he stayed home. He juggled his schedule constantly to make the games. Everyone in the bus wanted to talk to Reggie. It was like taking the prettiest girl in town to the school dance...and no one else showing up. BTW, I still have his number in my phone. 2. Eli came on the bus to thank us for our support. All smiles. The man was in heaven. To see what that moment meant to him made my effort to be there all worthwhile. Go Titans. In memory of all the departed Titans, let's hang up another banner. It's time.
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Post by ptctitan on Jan 28, 2022 9:19:15 GMT -5
The 2012 league championship team is a case study in never giving up on a talented team when they encounter some losing. This coaching staff is very interested in imparting to our current players the history of our program and in bringing back players from these teams to impart their wisdom and experiences to our current roster. They want to do that with the 2012 team, but so many of those guys are still playing pro ball overseas. It may take another 5 years for enough of them to become available. The way that team steamrolled Valpo at Valpo was epic. The photo of Ray Sr and Ray Jr after the game is an iconic piece of Titan history and should be prominently displayed for all players, fans, and recruits to see.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 2, 2022 22:19:45 GMT -5
On this date, February 2, 2012...
The Titans dropped a close one to our nemesis, the Valpo Crusaders, on the road, 78-73. The Titans had a nine point lead at the half, but Valpo dominated the second half. The Titans slipped back to .500, 12-12 and 6-6.
The Titans put five guys in double figures, with Ray, Chase, and Eli each hitting 14. Doug had an excellent game with 12 points, 7 boards, 5 assists, and two steals. We shot a solid 47% from the floor and 75% from the line, but only 6-21 from three.
The loss put the Crusaders up on us 2-0 in the season series. Our only shot at them again would come in the HL Tournament.
Next up for us would be a trip to Hinkle on a less than 48 hour turnaround.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 5, 2022 19:44:56 GMT -5
On February 4, 2012...
The Titans bounced back from their loss to Valpo with a win at Hinkle, final score Detroit 65, Butler 61. The Bulldogs were favored at home, but the Titans got the road upset behind 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals from Ray and 13 and 7 from Eli. Chase also hit double figures with 11.
the Titans moved to 13-12, 7-6, and would not fall back to .500 the rest of the season.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 10, 2022 17:53:20 GMT -5
On this date, February 10, in 2012...
In one of the most exciting games of the year, the Titans overcame a 10 point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat a good Milwaukee team 58-57. Jason Calliste made two free throws with 12 seconds left to win the game. The Titans won despite struggling from the floor, shooting 36% and missing all of their three point attempts.
Doug Anderson scored 12 points and had 5 boards and 3 assist. Ray was the scoring leader with 18 points (on 12 shots, UD Baller). Eli had 11 boards and 3 steals.
I remember being encouraged that the Titans could get a win like that while not playing their best game. The victory moved us to 14-12, 8-6.
Attendance was announced as 1274, unusually low for that season.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 12, 2022 23:00:34 GMT -5
On this date, February 12, 2012... The Titans won another nail biter at home, 77-74 over Green Bay. It was another comeback win, as U-D trailed by seven at the half and by 11 in the second half. With the Titans trailing 53-50, Calliste got fouled on a three point attempt and made all three, tying the game. Eventually, we took a five point lead and it was a three point margin in the final nine seconds when the Phoenix missed three 3 pointers. Chase Simon had one of his best games of the season, scoring 24 points. Ray, Lamarcus, and Jason all scored in double figures. We hit 23-27 from the free throw line, 85%, which was a key to the win. The Titans improved to 15-12, 9-6. Attendance was announced as 1923. Bonus "On This Date" note: Facebook reminded me today that on this date February 12, in 2013 , I was at Calihan Hall enjoying the Titans 92-62 victory over Cleveland State. I was at the game with my friends Curt and Mike (some of you guys know them) and my nephew, who was four years old at the time. That was the NIT season, and the Titans were talented but shorthanded, in players and coaches. I remember that 30 point win being a stress free viewing experience.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 16, 2022 19:47:41 GMT -5
On February 15, 2012...
The Titans picked up a nice road win south of the border, beating Wright State in Dayton 71-55. After three close wins in a row U-D led this one by seven at the half and kept the pressure on for the final 16 point deficit. We had four guys in double figures, and Ray wasn't one of them. Jason Calliste scored 14 and Eli had a double double with 12 and 10. Dunking Doug Anderson had 11 points, 8 boards, a block, and two steals.
The Titans stand at 16-12, 10-6.
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