I can remember a time when The University of Memphis basketball was really comprised of Memphians. The five starters were all local talent and the coach roaming the sidelines was a city legend.
Larry Finch is one of the round ball greats in the city of Memphis. He was a stand out at Melrose High and a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first team player for Memphis State.
Our native son is in need of support and cheers from Tiger fans and Memphians more than ever.
Last week, Finch suffered a heart attack and his second stroke. He had slurred speech and his movement was limited after his first stroke, his condition slightly worsened from his heart attack.
As Finch recovers, we should remember the most influential athlete in school history, keep coach Finch in our thoughts and recall his achievements that made this University a basketball school.
Finch was named the Missouri Valley Player of the Year back in 1973. The year of 1973 was a magical year for Finch and the Tigers.
Finch led the Memphis to the NCAA tournament championship game that year. Memphis lost to UCLA 87-66. Even in the defeat Finch and teammate Larry Kenon managed to make the All-Tournament team.
A man with so many honors for his play on the court seemed to still have a magical touch when he moved to the sidelines for the Tigers.
Finch led Tigers teams to championships as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
Finch was honored at three different capacities at last year’s Midnight Madness at the Mid-South Coliseum, a place where Finch provided countless memories for Tiger fans.
Finch made an appearance with the 1973 NCAA finalist team. He later was honored as an assistant coach for head coach Dana Kirk’s 1985 Final Four team.
Finally, he stood on the court as the leader of one of the greatest teams in Tiger history, the 1991 elite eight team.
As the head coach, Finch helped to mature young talent from this area. Treadwell High graduate Anfernee Hardaway, now of the Phoenix Suns grew as a player under Finch’s direction.
Booker T. Washington High standout and McDonalds All-American Lorenzen Wright, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, developed physically and mentally under Finch’s guidance.
Both Hardaway and Wright were NBA lottery picks, and two of several Tigers to make the NBA after playing for Finch.
Maybe it is easy to help great talent grow when you were a great player.
Finch is third all-time in scoring at Memphis with 1,869 points, averaging 24 points a game in 1973. Finch also holds the record for most points in a game by a Tiger with 48.
Finch’s great career as a player earned him the distinction of being one of eight Tigers to have his jersey retired.
Finch’s magic touch was still working when he took over the coaching rings from Dana Kirk in 1986.
The challenge of coaching a team that went to the Final Four the previous year and wasn’t eligible for post season play stared Finch in the face.
In that first season, Finch led the Tigers to a 26-8 record, which started a streak of three straight 20 wins seasons.
Finch only had one losing season in becoming the all-time winningest coach in Memphis history with a 220-130 record.
But all of sudden in 1997, Finch was shown the door by The University that he gave his heart, body and soul.
With the resume Finch has, no wonder The University honored him as the first African-American to have a building on campus named after them.
Finch should be honored with the title as the greatest alumnus in the school’s history.
As Finch recovers from his heart attack and second stroke, the city that he provided with so much joy should keep him in their prayers and thoughts.
The city of Memphis owes that gratitude to one of their greatest citizens.
