The aforementioned senior to be, Murphy is only five foot eight but is as tough as anyone in the country.  He does not back down.  He does not give in.  Ask Big Bob Lanier about that.  The monster of a man and the little fireplug had to be separated in an early rival game and Lanier is six eleven and about 275.   Oh, and yes this ‘Pocket Rocket’ can score.  He was second in the country in scoring with his great jump shot that has range up to about thirty feet and a great pullup in traffic that is deadly at 18 feet.  This soaring Eagle has the prettiest and highest jump shot in the country (he has to) and is lethal from mid-range.  He will also go to the hoop and is not intimidated by contact.  Murphy is the hero of the small and he has that same short man’s chip on his shoulder that makes those guys so scary.  And also makes them so good.  This Connecticut bred bundle of energy grew up with eight sisters and his Mom forced him into learning how to baton twirl.  He has won national titles doing this and it has given him unbelievable hand-eye coordination.  Murphy has point guard skills but Coach Gallagher would rather have him scoring so that is what he does.  And he does it well.  There is nobody more important to his team’s offense and reputation than Mr. Murphy.  Still, there are some doubters who think this team could have been better with Murphy scoring just a little less because to be honest there were some gifted other scorers on this team that Layden (the pirmary recruiter the last few years who actually got Murphy to come here) has brought in that are much more suitable for the wing especially on the defensive end.  Layden was having none of it because though he loves his young guys he and Murphy have a kinship no matter how opposite of the spectrum they may be?  But no one can deny this All-American (by far the smallest member of the team) is one of the best all-around guards in the country.  The key this year for the glib new coach will be if this undersized team (it’t not only Murphy who is small for his position) can defend and board.  The offense will be fine either with or without Murphy as Layden already has some stellar wings shuffling off the Niagara. 

Now for the erstwhile supporting cast of the great Cal.  Murphy’s partner in crime is fellow senior Larry Costello.  This may have not been the best backcourt in the country but it sure as hell was the toughest.  Costello might not be quite as confrontational as his sidekick but he is not afraid to mix it up himself.  It seemed like every game was a near brawl with these two knocking around other teams guards and big men.  Costello was more of the Abbott to Murphy’s Costello ‘setting up’ his teammate with great passes every night.  Costello is the point guard and knows basketball.  I mean he really knows basketball.  He is as good as getting the ball to the right guy (usually Murphy) at the right time so they can pull the trigger as there is.  He is a great defender as well and is no doubt the Coach on the floor.  Ironically, Costello kind of played the straight man to Murphy’s star. Yes, he was way more of a Bud Abbott set up man than his namesake but he can finish.  When needed.  Sure he relied on a two handed jumper to get the job done but he was accurate especially if you fouled him.  This combo combined for an almost 90 percent efficiency at the free throw line so, though they can get under your skin, don’t foul them.  This kid from just down the road in Minoa could play with anyone on any night and always came out on top.  One way or another!  The only problem is that Costello is only six one so they had issues with guarding bigger wings though as anyone knows he will stick in his nose with anyone and try to shut them down. 

The front line for the Purple Eagles may not have been as gifted as the great backcourt but they did their job throughout the year.  Seniors Alex ‘Boo’ Ellis and Manny Leaks started as the post combo to start the season.  Both are great board guys who can also play defense.  Ellis is only six five  but is a solid low post scorer and a ridiculous board guy.  Boo (no relation to Radley) is scary with his athleticism and effective against much bigger men.  He has had a heck of a run here but did lose some minutes last year to a freshmen, Joe Arlauckas, who is much bigger.  The key to the front line is the solid and underrated Mr. Leaks.  At six nine 235 he gave the Niagarians some presence down low especially guarding some of the big men this small team has scheduled.  Sure he was not at the same level as a Lanier or Jeff Ruland but he was closer than you might think.  This Cleveland product was the only Purple Eagle even close to being able to play with these big boys in the paint.  As good as Murphy is, this team is not going anywhere near the Big Dance if Leaks is not manning the post.  Arlauckas is almost as big and just as physical and a little better defensively but not as good on the boards.  Still, this Canadian born kid gives this program a future presence in the middle and should be the primary option down low for the next three years.  This diverse kid (he is from Dominican heritage) can do a bit of everything and will only get better and was really well suited for Layden’s screen and roll offense.  He teamed with Murphy or Costello to form a superb pick and roll combo who is big enough at six eight 250 (remind you of some Mailman somewhere) to set screens and good enough to finish the roll.   Ellis is an athletic six five who at one point was the dominant big here in Niagara at one point.  He is a terrific board guy but is not big enough to guard other big men.  Layden realized this and made him his supersub about the midway point and he accepted his role.  Ellis is another Ohio kid who can play and might get a shot at the next level because of his rebounding and great motor but six five posts are few and far between.    Seniors Tom Hermans and Ken Glenn as well as juniors Mike Hanley and Vern Allen will battle for minutes backing up.  Hanley has the best chance as he has size (this team needs size like a dog needs a bone) at 6’10 and Allen is not far behind at 6’9.  They are nowhere near as talented though as the starters and Layden is bringing in some studs to battle for PT down low and on the wing both with freshmen and Juco and portal kids. 

Layden will have a bunch of choices on the wings and off the bench.  Seniors Ed Fleming and Al Butler rotated both starting and being the first guy off the bench.  Fleming is a tremendous rebounder for a wing and Butler is a good all around player who can get hot.  Fleming can really board and pass but Butler is a better scorer so Gallagher went with the hot hand in a constant rotation at the wings.  Junior Marshall Wingate was also part of Layden’s three headed monster on the wing and is a gamer.  Wingate was terrific down the stretch and in the conference tourney and is expected to be the team leader next year with all of the seniors that are graduating.  All three can score and were solid complimentary players for the Purple Eagles.  And there were plenty more ready to step up and be counted on the wing.   Seniors Zeke Sinicola, Charles Hoxie (who also plays post), Bo Erias and junior Andy Walker all can play and bring something different to the team.  Sinicola was a school boy legend from the Big Apple and has been effective but could never get past Costello and Murphy for the starting job. Erias is a defensive specialist and Walker is smart and can score.  The Eagles will not have to worry about offense in the near future.  Another senior, Jim McConnell gives Costello a breather now and then and can play but will be pushed by quicker underclassmen.  Juniors Al Williams will push Costello for the role should take over the point next year.  He is no Costello but is a solid distributor and like the comedian named one is tough as nails. 

The Purple Eagles took a huge blow and played the rest of the season with heavy hearts when Junior point guard Phil Scaffidi succumbed in his battle with cancer right before the conference tourney in March.  Scaffidi had played in a game in December getting an assist to Murphy in a tribute to his battle.  Scaffildi was the heir apparent to Costello at point and his death left a huge shadow over last year’s run into the NIT.  As a matter of fact, the Purple Eagles did not win another game after he lost his battle in March.  His number will be retired before the game at St. Bonaventure this year which is memorable as this kid was a huge part last year of their breaking the Bonnies 50 game home winning streak.  He came off the bench and hit four free throws in overtime after their rivals had brought a purple colored chicked before the game and strutted it out.  This led to Murphy and Costello getting into it with Lanier and company and getting ejected.  When Williams fouled out too, Scaffadi came on and became a legend with his heroics down the stretch.  The game this year, played in what will be named the Gallagher Center by then, should be interesting as the Bonnies will want revenge but the home court Purple Eagle fans will obviously be full of emotion. 

The Niagara Purple Eagles had one of the most incredible seasons ever in their little honeymoon haven by the Canadian border.  People were not just traversing to Northern New York to see the falls or get married, but also to see the little engine that could.  Calvin Murphy had a year for the ages and turned on the national media as well as a few Niagarians with his terrific scoring ability.  And all in a five foot 8 body that has as much testosterone as any seven footer in the country.  Coach Taps Gallagher had put together a nice supporting cast and the Eagles played some wonderful and exciting ballgames last winter.  A few breaks and this team could have been dancing, yeah.  Now they want to show their moves with some Nights on Broadway or at least some big dance.  Now wouldn’t that be fun to see this group of characters on the national stage?