Phi Slama Jama’s memory will be passed on to another generation when Houston takes on the Boilers in the final four national semifinals in Indianapolis.
Houston Post columnist Thomas Bonk participated in the Cougars’ three consecutive Final Four shows from 1982–84. Those teams, coached by Guy Lewis, produced Hall of Fame players such as Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, not to mention some of the most memorable moments in NCAA tournament history.
Here you need to know about Phi Slama Jama:
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Who was the coach of Phi Slama Jama?
Guy Lewis coached the Cougars for 11 seasons from 1975–86, but his tenure began from the 1981–82 season and lasted until 1983–84.
Houston was 88–16 over that three-year stretch and reached the Final Four each season.
Phi slama jama players
In 2011, Bleacher Report ranked Houston’s 1982–83 team Third-All-Time Five Lineup. This is because it featured two members of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hakim Olajuwon, A 7–0 center, was a member of all three teams. He averaged 13.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocks for his college career. “The Dream” became the No. 1 overall pick with the Rockets and a two-time NBA champion.
Clyde DrexlerStarred in the final four teams of 1982 and 1983, ahead of 6-7. Drexler averaged 14.4 points per game. “The Glide” was an NBA champion with the Rockets in 1995 (Olajuwon was also on that team) and a member of the 1992 Dream Team. He returned to Coach Houston from 1998 to 2000.
Other NBA players include Michael young, A member of all three teams; Rob Williams, Larry Michoko, Ricky Winslow And Greg Anderson.
Reid Gates, Alvin Franklin And Dave rose Phi Slama was a role player during the Jama era, and Benny Anders – 6-5, 200 pounds ahead – was a fan favorite and a key figure in ESPN 30-for-30 documentary “Phi Slama Jama.”
Why was he called Phi Slama Jama?
The Cougars played an up-tempo style, producing 78.8 points per game through that three-year stretch, and they did so with a slam dunk.
Houston Post columnist Thomas Bonk moved the word “Phi Slama Jama” to Coin 112-58 on January 2, 1983, after Coin. Their popularity grew from there and the team became a cultural phenomenon during the 1983–84 season.
Did Phi Slama Jama win the national title?
Houston suffered three consecutive defeats in the Final Four from 1982–84. A Look At Those Games:
No. 1 North Carolina 68, No. 6 Houston (March 27, 1982)
The Ter Heels – who went on to win the national championship under coach Dean Smith – defeated the Cougars in a Final Four national semifinal at the New Orleans Superdome. Sam Perkins scored 25 points, and James Worth and Michael Jordan scored 18 and 14 points respectively. North Carolina gave Williams, Houston’s leading scorer, two points from 0 to 8 shooting.
No. 6 NC State 54, No. 1 Houston 52 (April 4, 1983)
In one of the most memorable ups and downs of all time, Jim Vulvano led the Wolfpack behind the Cougars in a national championship thriller at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM Drexler ran foul trouble in the first half, and NC State. Gained 20 points. 18-rebound performance from Olajuwon. The Wolfpack won on Lorenzo Charles’ last-second dunk.
No. 1 Georgetown 84, No. 2 Houston 75 (April 2, 1984)
Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing clashed in a dynamic matchup of centers in a national championship game in the Kingdom of Seattle. Olajuwon had 15 points and nine boards, while Ewing had 10 points and nine boards. Five Hoys scored in double figures and Georgetown won the national championship led by coach John Thompson.
What is Phi Slama Jama’s legacy?
Houston’s teams are among the best teams to never win a national championship, and the Cougars’ run ended a year before the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams.
Houston is one of 10 schools to reach the final four in three consecutive seasons, but eight of those schools won the national championship. UCLA (2006–08) is the only other school to pull that feat without a national title win.
Now, Houston is in the Final Four for the first time since 1984, and it will not be impossible to mention the teams led by Alvin Hayes that reached the Final Four in 1967 and 1968 as well. This Cougars team will bring those people back to life, as well.
What about Phi Slama Jama? It is best to watch the dock just 15 minutes:
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