The Bicentennial year, 1976. The 39th edition of the NIT was the last to be played exclusively at Madison Square Garden. A year later the opening round would be on campus before advancing to MSG.
On a sunny Saturday in March the NIT opened with Niagara facing Kentucky. Niagara last appeared four years earlier and advanced to the title game, starting strong, before dropping what turned out to be a one-sided affair to Maryland. Kentucky was in search of its second NIT title. The other coming three decades ago and coached by legendary Adolph Rupp, who was in attendance at the Garden on this afternoon.
The first half was relatively competitive. The Wildcats did get some separation the latter minutes to take a 33-24 lead into intermission.
Niagara hung tough. The Purple Eagles were unable to draw even but still remained competitive. James Lee of Kentucky proved to be a difference maker. A 6’5” forward he proved to be a tough matchup quickness wise for taller opponents and size wise for guards. Mike Hanley, Andy Walker and Phil Scaffidi all fouled out for Niagara. On this day, Kentucky had just enough to send Niagara to a first round exit.
Niagara was coached by Frank Layden, while his counterpart from Kentucky was Joe B. Hall. Prior to the game the two talked courtside. In an interview years later when he was being honored by the NIT, Layden told yours truly that money came up in the casucal conversation. Layden was making about $30,000 at Niagara. Hall’s UK salary was $100,000 (remember this was 1976). “I went back and told the good fathers at Niagara what Hall made compared to my salary,” Layden recalled. “I then said we lost by six points to Kentucky, he (Hall) is making $70,000 more than me. That’s just over $10,000 a point. That sounds like a lot per point.” Frank had his point but made it in a light-hearted way with his great sense of humor.
That afternoon would be Layden’s last game coaching Niagara. He decided to join another Niagara alum, Hubie Brown as an assistant on Brown’s staff in Atlanta- beginning a long career in the NBA.
Layden spent eight years at Niagara. He coached the likes of Calvin Murphy and his teams were never an easy out. Forgetting coaching numeration for a moment, let’s say that humor was priceless…
The leaders:
Scoring:
Kentucky: James Lee 20, Jack Givens 16, Larry Johnson 12
Niagara: Andy Walker 18,Mike Hanley 13, Vern Allen 12
Rebounds:
Kentucky: Givens, Lee 8
Niagara: Hanley 7
(numbers Courtesy bigbluehistory.net)
