CLICK HERE for today’s Daily Rundown of News, Notes, and Highlighted Games
James Madison is now in the Sun Belt after almost 4 decades in the CAA but 1 of their best players did his best work during their time in the ECAC South. Linton Townes arrived at JMU while they were still an Independent but by the time he left he had helped lead the Dukes to the 1st 2 NCAA tourney appearances in school history. He was drafted by Portland in 1982, ended up playing for 4 different NBA teams, then spent several years playing professionally in Europe/Israel. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Linton about being a 2-time All-American and playing in the NBA. Today is Linton’s 63rd birthday so let us be the 1st to wish him a happy 1!
Why did you decide to go to James Madison? It was the only D-1 scholarship that I was offered and I did not want my parents to have to pay for college. Jerry Falwell called me up himself and tried to get me to go to Liberty but I stuck with JMU…even though my dad was a Baptist minister!
Take me through the 1981 NCAA tourney:
You scored 19 PTS in a 6-PT win over Georgetown: how big a deal was it to get the 1st tourney win in school history? It was a very big deal, especially against a Georgetown team with a bunch of known players like Sleepy Floyd.
You scored 12 PTS in a 9-PT loss to Notre Dame: what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? It was really exciting because nobody expected us to go that far. There was a crowd waiting for us when we got back: I still smile when thinking about it!
Take me through the 1982 NCAA tourney:
You scored 12 PTS in a 7-PT win over Ohio State: what did you learn from the 1981 tourney that helped you in 1982? 1 thing that we learned was not to be overwhelmed by the spotlight so we were not as nervous the 2nd time around. It was a difficult game and we did not play our best…but we still played well enough to win.
You scored 12 PTS in a 2-PT loss to eventual champion UNC: could you tell at the time that Michael Jordan (who only scored 6 PTS) was going to become a legend? I do not know about “legend” but I knew that he would be special. He went by me for a baseline layup like I was standing still and almost hit his shoulder on the backboard!
You were a 2-time All-American/1982 conference POY: what did it mean to you to win such outstanding honors? It was nice but I had more fun winning as a team and celebrating with my teammates. I am proud of those honors but at the time it did not mean as much as just getting to play every day and be successful.
In the summer of 1982 you were drafted in the 2nd round by Portland (2 spots ahead of Derek Smith): did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? It was really a surprise for me. I worked hard but it was always fun. When I got a scholarship I was just happy to be there. It showed me that I could play with the rest of these guys and I was glad to have the opportunity. I fully expected to be a teacher once I got done with college and never had the NBA as 1 of my expectations.
You lost to the Lakers in the 1983 Western Conference Semifinals: what was it like to go from being in college 1 year to facing the defending NBA champs the following year? It was a very different level. I went back to play pickup games at JMU and realized how much easier it was for me after having to try to score against (8-time All-Defensive player) Michael Cooper!
After joining the Spurs you lost to Denver in the decisive Game 5 of the 1985 Western Conference 1st round with the Spurs: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? I joined the team late in the season. I was not as tied to that game as most of my teammates so I do not rank it that high but I do not think I played well in that series.
When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? I guess just as being the captain of the best team in JMU history. I had a long pro career overseas so I hope to be remembered as a good player who only had 1 or 2 losing seasons during my career.