OT: RIP Joe Wolf

[paulpressey25]

Putting this one in a separate thread so us five old-timers can discuss.

Hard to describe the recruiting war that took place for this guy back in the 1982-84 period. This North Carolina piece covers it well.

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/article/joe-wolf-unc-basketball-recruiting-history-the-kid-from-kohler-236964202/

I recall when his decision to go to NC was announced, it went out across the wires immediately. The Journal ran a front page headline and photo in massive font. People here were very upset.

Then on January 19, 1986 there was an epic game at Mecca where #1 ranked NC and Wolf came into town to face Marquette on a national TV Sunday afternoon game. The main theme of the game was whether MU could avenge the loss of Wolf.MU lost in a nail biter 66-64. Here is the broadcast link, albeit bad video.

https://youtu.be/L_lGTpDRclU?si=Z63yQRAnTxWlrV-1

The game was back when bigs were critical. With the loss of Wolf, MU was able to bring in Walter Downing. Downing was another highly touted big man who had transferred from rival DePaul. I think Downing had something like 8 or 10 blocks in this game. It was the best game he'd ever played.

Will add more to this thread, but wanted to start it up.

[chonestown]

Good idea, PP.

I think Joe's knees were cooked back to his college days. As a pro, he was a pretty standard pivotman and his best days were behind him by the time the Clippers got him. Clippers squandering resources on damaged goods, an oft-told tale.

FWIW, I am not an old-timer, I'm a student of history. If you're going to take posting forward, it behooves you to know from whence it came.imo

[Matches Malone]

Wasn't around during his playing days but I remember him as an assistant on Skiles staff. 59 years old just doesn't seem fair.

RIP

[Perishable517]

Sucks. Bud of mine let me know as he lives up in that area. Small towns. I do remember the hoopla of him choosing Carolina. Sad loss.

Sent from my CPH2417 using RealGM mobile app

[paulpressey25]

More stories in MJS today with interview with Scott Williams

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2024/09/27/former-bucks-player-scott-williams-remembers-joe-wolf-teammate-at-north-carolina-under-dean-smith/75409306007/

The hype was huge

No less an authority than legendary Marquette coach Al McGuire declared Wolf the greatest player in Wisconsin history when McGuire visited a Kohler practice during Wolf's senior year when McGuire was an NBC broadcaster. "The best ever, I think," McGuire told the Milwaukee Journal. "And that takes in Jimmy Chones, Johnny Johnson and Fred Brown."

[msiris]

Did some business with him back in the day. Really nice guy, RIP