Travis Watson had to be 6’8 right?
If Isaiah and JWilly are 6’6 atleast (although I thought Isaiah was supposed to be 6’8), but then that would mean that Watson is *maybe a bit taller (Yes I know-camera angles etc. etc).
EDITED: He is leaning forward/standing closer. so nevermind.
Watson gotta be 6’8ish, I’m 6’6 and he was always taller than me by 2 maybe 3 in.
Highlight of my bball life was playing pickup against Watson at the law school gym with Roger Mason Jr. running point on my team. I’m right around 6’2", was 185 at the time, and had to guard him. He shot 3’s (not particularly well) most of the game. He was a massive human being (arms the size of my head it felt like) but I’d be shocked if he was 6’8". It was a long time ago, so memory could be off, but I came away impressed someone not too terribly tall was so dominant in the post at the ACC level. But he was the most physically intimidating person I ever saw up close until I ran into Charles Oakley in a gym in Atlanta.
EDIT–if @BDragon says he’s 6’8", he’s 6’8". My chance encounter 20 plus years ago is off.
Nope want no parts of Oaks even now.
Hah he also had the hair back then so that could be throwing off my memory, but I always remember him having a size advantage on me.
If I recall, Travis is actually about 6’6, and similarly built to Charles Oakley (just 3 inches shorter). Both are basically walking brick walls.
On a side note, I’m also about 6’2 180 and got matched up against Julius Peppers in a pickup game back when he was at UNC. He was Charles Oakley sized and was basically immovable in the post. I wish he just rained 3s. His strength was ridiculous.
I likely talked myself out of him being that tall so I could pretend I wasn’t going to get dominated. It didn’t work regardless, but I sunk a jumper off a Mason assist, so there’s the entirety of my basketball glory day (singular) story (well, got dunked on, too).
He’s still waiting to give Dolan a 2 piece. Imagine now he’s old and cranky.
Funny how 2 of the toughest guys to play in the NBA…Charles Oakley & Ben Wallace…both went to VA Union.
Is Altizer now the offseason coach for all transfer outs? And why is he decked out in UVA gear? Odd.
I always chuckle when i think of that
he works with all our guys. I guess he’s pretty good. I guess the Creighton equipment manager hasn’t sent Isaac his package yet
Free gear is free gear. Who among us hasn’t worked out in a t-shirt of an organization we no longer have any connection to?
I used to play ball at the Norfolk Y against a dude who played in the ABA. He was in his 40s with bad knees, so I could sort of guard him because he really didn’t move. But he was still strong as hell. One time, he stuck an elbow in my chest – didn’t even hit me, just sort of placed his elbow there – and I swear he left a divot.
That was Neil Johnson and he was on my team one year. Great dude to have on your side. Was the guy the Squires sent in to protect guys like Dr J when the other team got overzealous. Was a mean SOB when crossed but you’d have to be crazy to piss him off.
BTW, I’m guessing I’ve played hoops with you.
Edit: also used to play with Billy Mann (from the ODU team that beat #1 DePaul back in the day) - that dude was strong as an ox too.
Ha! Yes, indeed, that was Neil. He used to call me “Wolf” because I had a full-on beard (and, I have to admit, a fair amount of chest hair when we played shirts and skins), and I was thrilled to have an ex-pro bestow me with a nickname. I wore it like a badge of honor.
I was in Norfolk between 1985 and 1990. I don’t remember Billy Mann, but I do remember another ex-ODU player named Jay who could rain threes. I tried to guard him a few times. I much preferred getting beaten up inside by Neil.
I moved back from C’ville the year after you left. Don’t recall anyone named Jay. Dave Moyer who was on the ODU team in the mid-70’s, played with us.
I played softball with Kevin Larkin, who started for the ODU team that beat UVA in Scope in the early 90’s. I liked to introduce Kevin to people as the guy who held Allen Iverson to 75 points in a summer league game.
Yes! I remember playing with Moyer, too.
And now, I’ll stop before people start complaining that we should move this discussion to the Old Farts thread. I won’t even mention the games against Jesse Dark at the JCC in Richmond (or wonder why Jesse couldn’t find better competition than a bunch of middle-aged Jews).
Hey everyone, I need some advice. I just received an ad from Furman Athletics. (I’m a Furman faculty member.) For a $43 donation I can get a framed photo of “The Shot” and “be a part of the most historic season in Furman basketball history.” What do you think? Perfect addition to my UVa memorabilia wall? 
