ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - I can still hear Bob Ramsey screaming, Earl Austin Jr. giggling with delight, describing the action as students poured onto the court at the final buzzer of Saint Louis University's upset home win over No. 2 Louisville on February 11, 2003.
Brad Soderberg, SLU's coach, took in the scene of hugs and congratulations. Louisville coach Rick Pitino walked off the floor having lost 59-58 to the team with the worst record, at the time, in the conference.
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The game, broadcast on KMOX's airwaves, could be heard in 44 states that night. The highlight, replayed over and over, became part of KMOX history, interwoven with the great moments that made the radio station famous.
Was that really almost 18 years ago? Seems like yesterday.
So does the Rich Grawer-led program that brought SLU basketball back to respectability.
Charlie Spoonhour, who co-hosted shows with Jack Buck and hosted the media each week at the Pasta House, took the Billikens on some entertaining rides that included the amazing year of local star Larry Hughes.
Lorenzo Romar, who completed a four-game sweep of the Conference USA Tournament in 2000 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The late Justin Love, SLU's do-everything guard, predicted the Billikens would win that tournament and proved to be correct.
Brad Soderberg, who upended Louisville on that February day, and scratched and clawed for five seasons to get SLU to consistent winning and a transition to the Atlantic 10.
Rick Majerus, the Hall of Fame coach who gave SLU a national profile and proven winner... and who gave us Jim Crews.
Upon Majerus' death, Crews took over the helm of the program and won back-to-back Atlantic 10 titles during an emotional time on campus.
And now Travis Ford, who has been coaching for 23 years, with presently one of the best teams he's put on the floor - Oklahoma State or otherwise - in his career. He's already in his fifth season.
Man, how time flies. Ramsey and Austin have seen it all.
Ramsey, entering his 35th season calling Billikens games, is one of the most enthusiastic, emotional play-by-play men in any sport (ask him about the refs - or don't). He makes each game entertaining for everyone and is easy to follow.
Austin, the former Lindenwood star and in his 30th year on the SLU broadcast team, is the undisputed leader when it comes to local basketball knowledge. But it's his quick, measured responses mid-game that complement Ramsey perfectly. There isn't a better duo in college basketball and we're excited to get them back on KMOX.
We'll carry every SLU men's game on KMOX (1120 AM), and when there's a conflict we'll utilize the 100,000-watt signal of our sister station, KFTK (97.1 FM). Every game will be streamed on our digital platform, Radio.com. We also have a select number of women's games that will hit the airwaves this winter, a team that is also promising under the direction of coach Lisa Stone.
As of right now, the schedule is still not totally confirmed, only because COVID-19 continues to alter what we do on a day-to-day basis. But rest assured, the plan is in place to provide listeners with a distraction that will get them through many days and nights as we fight this pandemic. College basketball can do that... especially good college basketball. The Billikens should be working their way into the Top 25 by the time they've put their deep, talented team on the floor a few times.
Will we have more memorable moments? You can count on it.
Stay tuned.