OT: RIP Eric Montross
Former Tar Heel great that helped beat the Fab 5 has passed away from cancer at the age of 52.
I remember Michigan recruited him heavily before he chose UNC over us.
December 18th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
Geez. That is a rough draw for a young guy.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
RIP to the toughest big at UNC on those teams with endless bigs off the bench.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
RIP, Eric. I remember so well how Michigan recruited him heavily in the pre-Fab Five era. I was heartbroken when he didn't come here. Spent a little time with the Pistons, so he eventually made it to Michigan.
Maybe I'm missing someone, but it seems like UNC has always had nice guys and Duke has always had a-holes.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:46 PM ^
I was playing basketball for a college near Fort Wayne, IN, when his Lawrence North team came to town to play a local high school team. I decided to go to the game with a couple of teammates, since we didn't have a game that night (I'm 6'5" and felt dwarfed when he walked by me). As I was sitting, watching the game, I was very surprised to see Steve Fisher and Bo walk right past me and have a seat in the adjoining bleachers! At halftime I walked over to them and asked if I could have an autograph, and Bo told me he liked my sweatshirt (Michigan, of course). That is about all I remember of the encounter, but it was certainly cool and memorable! Montross went for like 20 and 20 that night, and I was certainly hopeful that he would end up at Michigan...
My understanding is that Eric had accepted Jesus as his savior, so though his friends and family here on earth I'm sure will miss him dearly, I'm confident he is now enjoying eternity in a much better place.
December 18th, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
My earliest college basketball memory is watching Montross on that national championship UNC team. As a kid he looked like this huge sports god that Michigan couldn't hope to beat.
December 18th, 2023 at 6:54 PM ^
Using "battle" as a metaphor for someone's experience with cancer seems apt to me. Lakoff's Metaphors We Live By is over 40 years old now but is an interesting read and helps show how common and powerful metaphors are and can be.
I have cancer and two weeks ago finally got out of the hospital after a 6 week stay as a result of a very bad reaction to chemo. It sure seems like a battle to me. I have family and friends doing what they can to help out, medical staff, people praying for me and my family, all allies in this battle. I have ongoing issues and the battle or battles are far from over.
Right now I'm looking forward to my 3 children and son-in-law coming home to spend time with me and my wife and just enjoying life to the greatest extent I can.
December 18th, 2023 at 8:33 PM ^
Too young. RIP, my dude.
December 18th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
His sister went to U of M. We had the same Econ 101 class. I wasn't too fond of her brother at the time due to the 1993 NCAA Championship result.
Anyway... F Cancer.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
Fuck Cancer RIP Eric!