Paul Westhead may have been a professor of Shakespeare years ago, but he is certainly a
student of history.
Following Saturday’s 82-62 win over Oregon State in what will be the last Civil War basketball game ever held in McArthur Court, Westhead told the assembled media the first thing he mentioned to his players in the locker room.
“The Civil War’s over for Mac Court,” Westhead said. “It’ll be, ‘Where were you?’”
Westhead can be forgiven, of course, for waxing nostalgic. It’s been on his mind a lot lately. Enough to drive the Ducks’ 5-5 Pacific-10 Conference record (and intensely optimistic projections) to the background.
On Jan. 30, after leading Oregon to a weekend road split of the Los Angeles schools, Westhead traveled to Loyola Marymount University for its game against Saint Mary’s. At halftime, Westhead would be honored, along with several former players, in remembrance of the Lions’ 1989-90 season.
You’ve probably heard about that team. It scored an NCAA-record 122.4 points per game, made the Elite Eight and eventually lost to that season’s national champion, UNLV. But its legend was cemented through tragedy: the death of its best player, Hank Gathers, after collapsing on the court in the Lions’ second-round West Coast Conference tournament game against Portland. Gathers, later diagnosed with a heart muscle disorder, was 23.
“Even now, looking back through the lens of a sports landscape filled with an upset a minute, the moment remains nothing short of a miracle,” wrote Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke in a Jan. 31 column. “Twenty years ago, a raggedy group of playground stars from a tiny Catholic college watched their best player collapse and die of a heart ailment during the first half of a game in the conference tournament on their home court.
“Twelve days later, the team began a run through the NCAA tournament that fell only one game short of the Final Four.
“On the way, they set records for scoring and symbolism, for three-pointers and tears, a bunch of grieving but gripping kids providing a transfixed nation with lessons of the heart.”
That Loyola Marymount team, its breakneck speed and scoring ability seemingly mythical even now, lives on strong in the hearts and minds of college basketball fans. Beyond the Lions’ tribute, ESPN will pay further tribute later this year. As part of its “30 for 30” documentary series, the network will air a Bill Couturie-directed piece entitled “Guru of Go.” Westhead and his system will be one of the main focuses of the film, according to ESPN.
What is Paul Westhead’s place in history?
There appears to be no clear-cut answer. He has made his own history, becoming the only coach to win NBA and WNBA championships. His Loyola Marymount teams hold records that stand to this day. His brand of basketball is as important to the landscape of the game itself as it is divisive.
He guided Magic, Kareem and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA championship in 1980. His Denver Nuggets teams in 1990-91 and 1991-92 set NBA benchmarks for defensive futility. With an overall NBA record of 183-224, his place in NBA lore is often called into question. In the college ranks, Westhead will forever be remembered for his Loyola Marymount teams, but his 285-223 overall coaching record with La Salle, LMU and George Mason looks favorable to him.
Westhead was hired on March 26, 2009, as the sixth head coach in Duck women’s basketball history, with no prior experience at coaching women’s college basketball. He had nothing at this level that he needed to prove to anyone.
What is Westhead’s place in history?
It’s unique for everyone, but today he appears set on teaching the game and reminding his players of the importance of basketball history on their games and their lives.
“I’m kind of happy I stumbled into it,” Westhead said of the Civil War.
In today’s modern college basketball landscape — an attention-deficit compilation of sound bytes and highlight reels — Westhead’s historical perspective is remarkably refreshing.
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