Duke 76 Purdue 60: Return of the Rock Crusher In the House Rick Built

In the winter of 1965–66 the most heralded High School basketball player was a 6'4" 179 pound jump shooting machine in Lebanon, Indiana. His name was Rick "The Rocket" Mount. Defending National Champion UCLA believed they had the inside track on Mount as Head Coach John Wooden was a native Hoosier himself. Wooden already had the incredible 7'1' Lew Alcindor on the freshman team (Frosh were ineligible to play varsity ball before the '72–'73 season) and his head was spinning at the thought of the Rocket's long–range gunning stopping defenses from collapsing on Alcindor in future contests. Near the end of his senior season at Lebanon High, Mount listed his favorite college choices as UCLA, Cincinnati, Miami, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Duke, and Michigan. Where did he end up? Purdue, 39 miles away in West Lafayette, Indiana. "Build it and they will come" was the often whispered remark at the end of Mount's recruiting. There is no proof ... (link)