Men's Basketball February Newsletter

Unity ~ Perseverance ~ Appreciation ~ Integrity ~ Diligence

Detroit Mercy Men’s Basketball Newsletter #OurTurnOurCity

Grow Titans The University of Detroit Mercy Men’s Basketball Program has sparked a lot of buzz in the community with both their games and events that have taken place recently at the historic Calihan Hall. The Titans are 2-3 in their last five games, adding conference wins against the Youngstown State Penguins and the Green Bay Phoenix. Growing in losses to Cleveland State, UIC, and Oakland, the Titans are looking to start a winning streak and gain momentum heading into Motor City Madness (March 3-7). Your Titans have four regular season games left (2 home games – 2 away games) before conference tournament play. For ticket information to home games and Motor City Madness please visit Detroittitans.com

Dre Black being embraced by his teammates after his go ahead And 1 to defeat the Green Bay Phoenix

Dick Vitale addressing the crowd at halftime during the 1976-77 Sweet 16 reunion

Jersey Retirement of Titan Legend Terry Duerod

Terry Duerod being presented with his jersey retirement banner

The Mayor of Highland Park, Michigan, declared February 10th as Terry Duerod Day

Terry Duerod ended his Titan career with 1,690 points, fourth when he graduated and still sixth all-time in school history. In 111 career games, he averaged 15.2 points and is among the top 10 career leaders in field goals (third with 790) and field goal attempts (fourth with 1,542). As a senior, he was tabbed an All-American after averaging 23.3 points, seventh in school history at the time and ninth today. He posted a school record with 303 field goals, while his 23.3 points rank eighth in the school record book. His 47-point outburst against CCNY on Feb. 10, 1979, is still the second-best single game performance of any Titan. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the third round (48th overall) in 1979 and played in 143 career games in the NBA over four seasons. He averaged 9.3 points per game and shot 47.2 percent from the field during his rookie campaign for the Pistons. He later played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, winning a NBA championship with Boston in 1981.

He will forever be remembered as a Titan.

Terry Duerod showing off his shooting form that now claims the rafters of Calihan Hall

Terry Duerod giving praise and showing appreciation to the Titan Faithful

40 Year Reunion of the 1976-1977 Sweet 16 Team

Former Titan Head Coach, Dick Vitale, addressing the ballroom crowd during their reunion

The 1976-77 team took time to address the current Titans during shoot around

It was a time to honor and remember one of the all-time great teams in school history as the 1976-77 University of Detroit basketball team celebrated its 40-year reunion by being named the recipient of this year's John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award. Dick Vitale was in his fourth and final year as the head coach as the Titans posted a 25-4 campaign, the most wins in school history at that time and still tied for first today. The squad was nationally ranked for nearly the entire season and ended the year with its highest ranking of No. 12. The 1976-77 team featured some of the best players in school history in future NBA players and draft selections John Long, Terry Tyler, Terry Duerod, Ron Bostick and Dennis Boyd. The 2016-17 season marked the 40th year of the Titans run to the Sweet Sixteen.

During halftime of the Metro Series, members of the 1976-77 team shared memories from their time at Detroit Mercy

A Team Photo after the 1976-77 team received the John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award

Former Titan Head Coach, Perry Watson, Recognized at Calihan Hall Perry Watson, Former Head Coach of the Titans, was recognized during the Metro Series Rivalry game. He was at the helm of the program for fifteen years and is currently the second winningest Head Coach in Titan’s Basketball History. Coach Watson won two Horizon League Tournaments championships (1994, 1999) and two Horizon League regular season championships (1998, 1999). He was named Horizon League Coach of the Year in 1999 and finished his career with the titans with a record of 258-185

Corey Allen Receives Horizon League Freshman of the Week Corey Allen, Freshman Guard for The Titans, received the honor of being named Horizon League Freshman of the Week for the third time this season. He averaged 21 points in a win against Green Bay and a tough OT loss to Milwaukee.

The 1976-77 Sweet 16 Team Addresses Current Titan Program During the Titan’s shoot around prior to the second Metro Series Rivalry game against Oakland University, the 1976-77 Sweet 16 team offered words of advice and encouragement. Former Titan Head Coach Dick Vitale and legendary player Terry Duerod shared their memories, experiences, and thoughts to help grow our players and program.