Kevin Mackey, who led Cleveland State to a historic NCAA upset over Indiana, dies at 80

Kevin Mackey, known for starring Cleveland State to a stunning NCAA Tournament triumph implicit Indiana successful 1986, has died

CLEVELAND -- Kevin Mackey, who coached Cleveland State to an improbable triumph implicit Bob Knight-led Indiana successful the 1986 NCAA Tournament connected the mode to a berth successful the Sweet 16 but whose assemblage coaching vocation ended abruptly nether the unreality of cause abuse, has died. He was 80.

Mackey died of a abrupt bosom onslaught Tuesday, according to his son, Brian.

Mackey, who earlier coached astatine the precocious schoolhouse level successful Boston, had been an adjunct astatine Boston College wherever helium was known arsenic a maestro recruiter erstwhile helium was named caput manager of Cleveland State successful 1983.

He went 14-16 his archetypal play with the Vikings, past had six consecutive winning years. He compiled a seven-year grounds of 144-67 astatine the school.

In 1985-86, the 14th-seeded Vikings went 29-4 and led by Ken “Mouse” McFadden bushed No. 3 effect Indiana 83-79 successful the archetypal circular of the NCAA Tournament successful what remains to this time 1 of the tourney's biggest shockers.

The squad bushed No. 6 effect Saint Joseph's 75-69 successful the 2nd circular earlier being bounced retired 71-70 by No. 7 effect Navy, featuring David Robinson, successful the Sweet 16.

But his clip astatine Cleveland State ended successful 1990 conscionable days aft helium signed a lucrative two-year declaration with the schoolhouse aft helium admitted utilizing ace cocaine. Mackey was arrested connected July 13, 1990, connected a complaint of driving portion intoxicated arsenic helium near a suspected cause house.

Acting connected a extremity from a caller that Mackey was sleeping connected a sofa wrong the house, constabulary watched for much than 5 hours until Mackey and a pistillate near successful Mackey’s car. Mackey was arrested erstwhile helium was seen driving erratically and near of center, constabulary said astatine the time.

Mackey enrolled successful a Houston attraction halfway operated by erstwhile NBA subordinate John Lucas, and spent 3 months successful rehabilitation programs.

“I can’t spell anyplace and talk without talking astir John Lucas, who saved my life,” Mackey said successful June 1991. “He’s my champion friend. His programme is great.”

He aboriginal coached insignificant league hoops and worked arsenic a scout for the Indiana Pacers astatine the behest of Larry Bird, but helium ne'er returned to the assemblage ranks.

Funeral arrangements were inactive being planned.

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AP assemblage basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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