I find it difficult to believe anybody gave this movie 5 stars "despite the artistic license". This movie made a joke of the story of this team.
Because of this movie, people are given the impression that 5 black freshmen recruited by Coach Don Haskins started in the NCAA Championship game, which amazed sportswriters so much that they were made heavy underdogs because of the prevailing racism of the times. I'd like to point out some facts some people might not know.
While I'm sure racism played a factor in real life to some oddsmakers, it had little to do with most people picking Kentucky, the #1 team in the nation at 23-0 and a 4-time National Champion, to beat a team that had never been to a Final Four.
In the 1950s, prior to Haskins' arrival, Texas Western recruited and played African American players, in a time when it was still common to find all-white college sports teams, particularly in the South When Haskins arrived in El Paso, he inherited three black players from his coaching predecessor, including Nolan Richardson, the long-time coach of Arkansas.
In the 1960's FRESHMEN COULDN'T PLAY VARSITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL. All the starters for Texas Western were upperclassmen.
Texas Western didn't "sneak up" on anybody. They had been to the NCAA Tournament in 1963 and 1964.
I wish Disney had tried to keep the facts straight. Artistic license is one thing, but re-writing history to make the story seen the way you want it is ridiculous. |