Evansville's '65 NCAA Division II title team holds reunion

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - The summation of the stories and laughs shared by the historic undefeated 1964-65 Purple Aces men's basketball team at the Old National Events Plaza Saturday afternoon: the team had character.

The camaraderie and brotherhood, combined with a steadfast resolve to win the game, is what led the team to win the NCAA Division II championship in 1965, the players said.

Aces starter Herb Williams, known for his high-jumping ability, said the success of the team was contingent on the respect for each other.

"There was not a single one of us that was jealous of the other. We wanted one thing and that was to win the game," he said.

The starting five players - Jerry Sloan, Larry Humes, Sam Watkins, Russ Grieger and Williams - answered questions Saturday ahead of the Aces game at the Ford Center from 14-WFIE's Mike Blake and fans.

Jabs at Humes for his high-scoring record, praises for "Mac's" nature and disposition and choked back tears of jovial memories were fully present during the question-and-answer session.

Watkins, 70, recalled the team's game against Notre Dame, the team's third in the legendary season. Humes, the powerhouse offensive player that he was, had ran the court over the Fighting Irish's defense. An unhappy opponent sucker-punched Humes with a left hook, the Evansville Courier & Press reported (http://bit.ly/1CqizB0).

"I had to protect my little brother Larry," Watkins said. "We wanted to come to his rescue and the best thing we know to do was to get his butt off the floor."

Humes previously held the all-time scoring record in Evansville's history, and that was without the three-point line. Colt Ryan broke Humes' record in 2013.

"I don't think that would make a difference," Humes said had some of his shots counted as three points rather than two. He gave the credit to his teammates and the coaches for the team's success.

"The fans here, they made you play hard, too," he said.

Off-the-hardwood stories were shared, as well.

Williams, who was a freshman on the team -- "the baby" - said the five starters would sneak out some time.

"I wasn't old enough to get into some places, so I would borrow Jerry's ID," Williams said.

"Like your twins," asked Blake as fans laughed and applauded.

"All I had to do was put my hand over his picture," Williams said with a hearty laugh.

The hourlong event, while filled with anecdotes from games passed from the teammates, was largely focused on the contribution by the team's coach Arad "Mac" McCutchan, who died in 1993.

Success came for the men on the team after the championship, which they credited to McCutchan. Sloan, famously, had a prolific career in the NBA that led to him entering the hall of fame as a coach.

Watkins said he was most thankful for learning how to lead from McCutchan.

Watkins was the only teammate to be drafted to Vietnam. He served two years and was made a platoon captain his third day overseas. The reason? He was co-captain of the team with Sloan.

McCutchan told him he needed him to be a captain because "we need someone who maintains calmness and is steady."

"I remember those words very clearly. ... It didn't resonate at the time, but now it does, you see," he said. "You don't realize the teachings and the trainings that are undergoing on your behalf until you get old enough say, 'Wow, he had such an impact on your life and you didn't realize that it was that impactful.'"

Grieger, who penned a book with former Evansville Press reporter Tom Tuley about the team titled "The Undefeated Season," said playing basketball in Evansville is a gift that keeps on giving.

"There was a sign at Carson Center, where we practiced, that said, 'It's an honor and a privilege to wear an Aces uniform.' It has been an honor and a privilege to wear an Aces uniform," he said. "Playing basketball at UE is a gift that was precious and wonderful then that has kept on giving through the years.

"And what better illustration today than all of you wonderful people coming out here to share this with us."

The team was honored during halftime of Saturday's game. The '64-'65 team bested Southern Illinois to win the national championship. The Aces went on to defeat the Salukis, as they did 50 years ago, Saturday.

___

Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com