(sm)All-Stars: ACU Dynamo Damien Daniels is Latest Diminutive Dandy

November 18th, 2022 - 9:00

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind (about your size) don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Despite cancel culture's obsession with him, the good doctor (Seuss) must know big things can come in even smaller 24-carat packages. What they may lack in height, they more than compensate for with heart. Brimming with self-confidence and mental toughness, the premium point guards defy odds by excelling in a big man's game.

The latest mighty mite of consequence at NCAA Division I level is Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (5-8), a transfer from UALR. Among those shorter than Nowell, Abilene Christian's Damien Daniels (5-7 dynamo has averaged 5.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2.6 apg since 2018-19). Daniels will eventually join the following alphabetical list examining top players in NCAA history shorter than 5-8:

Mighty Mite School Height Short Summary of College Career
Christopher Anderson San Diego 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.9 apg and 2 spg for the Toreros from 2011-12 through 2014-15. Ranked among the nation's top 11 in assists average his final two seasons.
Kendall Anthony Richmond 5-7 Shot 80.6% from the free-throw line and 39.2% from beyond the three-point arc en route to averaging 14.2 ppg from 2011-12 through 2014-15. The Spiders' leading scorer as a senior with 16.4 ppg after finishing runner-up as a freshman and junior.
Martin Badoian Brown 5-7 Three-year letterman was captain as a senior in 1951-52 when he averaged 13.9 ppg.
Mike Belich Pittsburgh 5-7 Led the Panthers in scoring as a senior in 1950-51 with 15.9 ppg.
Eric Bell Stephen F. Austin 5-6 Ranked 30th in the nation in assists with 5.7 per game as a sophomore in 2007-08.
Arnold Bernard Southwest Missouri State 5-5 J.C. transfer was an All-Mid-Continent Conference second-team selection in 1989-90. The next season, earned the same status in the Missouri Valley when he led the league in assists (7.6 apg) and steals (2.4 spg).
Tyrone Bogues Wake Forest 5-3 All-ACC first-team selection as a senior averaged 8.3 ppg, 6.6 apg and 2.3 spg from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
Jermaine Bolden Morgan State 5-7 Led MEAC in assists with 4.9 per game in 2008-09.
Jimmy Boothe Xavier 5-7 Led the Musketeers' 1956 NIT team in scoring with 16.5 ppg.
Earl Boykins Eastern Michigan 5-6 Two-time All-MAC first-team selection finished second in the nation in scoring in 1997-98 with 25.7 ppg, including 45 points vs. Western Michigan (tying school single-game record against a Division I opponent). MVP in the league's postseason tournament as a senior.
DeAndre Bray Jacksonville State 5-6 Posted an OVC-leading 5.2 apg as a sophomore in 2006-07 and ranked 11th in the nation as a junior (6.4 apg). Assists average fell off to 4.9 per game as a senior.
Greg Brown New Mexico 5-7 WAC Player of the Year as a senior in 1993-94 when he averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.4 apg.
Alex Bynum Brown 5-7 Averaged 8.3 ppg with the Bears from 1980-81 through 1983-84.
Alton Byrd Columbia 5-7 Three-time All-Ivy League first-team selection averaged 8.1 apg as a sophomore in 1976-77 en route to becoming the Lions' all-time leader in assists. Led the conference in assists as a sophomore and senior.
Joe Campbell Purdue 5-7 Eventual PGA golfer averaged 7.7 ppg in three seasons of varsity basketball. He was the Boilermakers' third-leading scorer (11.9 ppg) and leading free-throw shooter (73.6%) as a senior in 1956-57.
Pete Carril Lafayette 5-6 The 1952 graduate averaged 11.5 ppg in his career with the Leopards before becoming Princeton's all-time winningest coach.
Taurence Chisholm Delaware 5-6 Blue Hens all-time leader in assists with 877 ranked among the top 12 in the nation all four years, including a runner-up finish as a sophomore. All-ECC second-team selection as a senior in 1987-88.
Jackie Crawford Southwest Missouri State 5-7 J.C. transfer was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection and MVC Tournament MVP in 1991-92 (12 ppg, 4.5 apg, 83.5 FT%).
Jordon Crawford Bowling Green 5-6 Shortest player among NCAA's top 150 scorers as a senior in 2012-13 when he averaged 15 ppg. Led Falcons in assists his last three seasons.
Johnny Dee Notre Dame 5-7 Second-leading scorer (12.6 ppg) for the 15-5 Irish in 1944-45 before UND went 17-4 the next year when he averaged 5.8 ppg.
Jeremiah Dominguez Portland State 5-6 Big Sky Conference MVP in 2007-08 and league tournament MVP the next season. Leading scorer for PSU's all-time two winningest DI teams those years.
Andy Dulik Navy 5-7 Averaged 10.3 ppg from 1954-55 through 1956-57, finishing among the Midshipmen's top three scorers as a sophomore and junior.
Haywood Eaddy Loyola Marymount 5-5 J.C. transfer led the WCC in steals (2.1 spg) in 1997-98 and in free-throw shooting (89.8%) and assists (5.6 apg) in 1998-99.
Chico Fletcher Arkansas State 5-6 Two-time Sun Belt Conference MVP led league in assists four consecutive seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-2000.
Louis Ford Howard 5-6 Contributed 14 assists and 10 steals in a game against Maryland-Eastern Shore when he averaged a team-high 14.1 ppg in an abbreviated junior campaign in 2004-05 before averaging 9.2 ppg and team-high 4.8 apg as a senior. Led the MEAC in assists as a sophomore (5 apg) and in steals as a senior (2.6 spg).
Tony Freeman Indiana & Illinois-Chicago 5-7 Honorable mention All-Mid-Continent Conference in 1988-89 after playing for the Bob Knight-coached Hoosiers in 1986-87.
Petie Gibson New Mexico 5-7 The Lobos' all-time leader in assists per game averaged 11.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 7.2 apg from 1968-69 through 1970-71. He led the WAC in scoring feeds all three seasons.
Jack Goldsmith Long Island 5-7 Led the Blackbirds in scoring in 1945-46 when they posted their 13th of 18 consecutive winning records through 1950-51.
Marques Green St. Bonaventure 5-7 Averaged 15.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.9 apg and 2.9 spg while shooting 83.5% from the free-throw line from 2000-01 through 2003-04. He finished seventh in school all-time scoring when his career ended while ranking first in assists and steals. All-Atlantic 10 Conference first-team selection as a junior when he led league in scoring (21.3 ppg), assists (8 apg), steals (2.6 spg) and free-throw shooting (87.9%) before earning second-team acclaim as a senior. He paced the A10 in steals his last three seasons.
George Harrington Harvard 5-7 All-Ivy League second-team selection as a senior in 1958-59 when he averaged a team-high 14.6 ppg after averaging 11.4 ppg the previous two seasons.
Jason Harrison Mississippi 5-5 Started every game as a senior for the Rebels' 2002 NCAA playoff team after serving as their "sixth-man" most of his first three seasons. Finished his career third on Ole Miss' all-time list for three-pointers (163), third in assists (427), third in steals (172) and fifth in free-throw shooting (82%).
Dick Hickox Miami (Fla.) 5-6 Averaged 19.4 ppg from 1958-59 through 1960-61, leading the Hurricanes in scoring all three seasons.
Jermaine "Squirt" Hicks Weber State & Chicago State 5-6 Co-Newcomer of the Year in Mid-Continent Conference in 1997-98. Scored 40 points at Fresno State the next season when he was an all-league second-team selection.
David Holston Chicago State 5-7 Scored school DI record 43 points against St. Bonaventure in 2006-07 season opener. Mid-Continent Conference second-team selection as a freshman in 2005-06 (13.4 ppg, 2.8 apg, 85.7 FT%). Ranked 10th in the nation in scoring as a junior in 2007-08 (23.1 ppg) when pacing country in three-point field goals per game (4.6). Became school's all-time leading Division I scorer in 2008-09 when averaging 25.9 ppg (4th in nation).
Shawn Hood Cleveland State 5-7 Leader in assists and steals in 1983-84 and 1984-85 for the Vikings.
Rod Hutchings Northern Arizona 5-7 Shot 93.3% from the free-throw line as a senior in 2000-01 to finish his four-year career at 84%. Also contributed 285 assists for the Lumberjacks.
Demontrae Jefferson Texas Southern 5-7 Averaged 18.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.2 spg in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Scored 27 points in his TSU debut at Louisville.
Keith "Mister" Jennings East Tennessee State 5-7 All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year as a senior. Two-time Southern Conference Tournament MVP averaged 15.7 ppg and 7.7 apg while shooting 86.1% from the free-throw line from 1987-88 through 1990-91. Paced the league twice in free-throw shooting, three times in steals and all four seasons in assists.
Aaron Johnson UAB 5-7 Averaged 5.2 ppg and team-high 4.1 apg as a freshman in 2007-08. Named an All-Conference USA third-team selection as junior in 2009-10 before becoming league MVP as a senior when he led nation with 7.7 apg.
Omar Johnson Texas-San Antonio 5-7 Averaged 12.6 ppg, 4.2 apg and 1.9 spg with the Roadrunners in 2008-09 and 11.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 3.4 apg in 2009-10.
Casey Jones Northeast Louisiana 5-7 Led the Indians in assists as a senior in 1990-91 with 5.8 per game, finishing his career with 3.8 apg.
Victor Kelly Hawaii 5-6 Averaged 12.6 ppg along with team highs of 5.1 apg and 1.9 spg in 1974-75.
Drew Lavender Oklahoma & Xavier 5-6 Paced the Sooners' 2004 NIT team in assists and steals before finishing team runner-up in same two categories for their 2005 NCAA playoff squad. After transferring, he led Atlantic 10 Conference in assists with 4.8 per game in 2006-07.
Ken Leary Boston University 5-7 Averaged 11.1 ppg, 2 rpg and 8.2 apg from 1962-63 through 1964-65, leading the Terriers in assists all three seasons.
Darryl "Pee Wee" Lenard Georgia & St. Louis 5-7 Led the Midwestern City Conference in steals with 1.8 per game in 1983-84.
Terrell Lewis Eastern Illinois 5-7 Averaged 9.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 5 apg from 2014-15 to 2018-19. He led EIU in assists each of his first three seasons.
Chris Lykes Miami (Fla.) & Arkansas 5-6 Averaged 13.7 ppg and 2.7 apg with Miami from 2017-18 until injured early in 2020-21 campaign before playing for Arkansas' 2022 NCAA playoff team.
Sherry Marshall Columbia 5-7 All-Ivy League first-team selection as a sophomore in 1947-48 when he averaged 8.2 ppg and shot 75.9% from the free-throw line. All-conference second-team pick as a freshman, junior and senior.
Kellen McCoy Weber State 5-6 J.C. transfer was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2008-09 (team highs of 14.1 ppg and 1.3 spg) after averaging 8.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg the previous year.
Shandue McNeil St. Bonaventure 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.4 apg and 2.5 spg from 1993-94 through 1996-97. Led Atlantic 10 Conference in assists and steals as a sophomore (all-league second-team choice) and in assists as a senior.
Mark Morse Tulsa 5-7 All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection in 1991-92 (14.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 2.2 spg) and 1992-93 (17.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.2 spg). J.C. recruit earned award as MVC Newcomer of the Year.
Johnny Nunziato Boston University 5-5 Led the Terriers in scoring with 15.4 ppg as a senior in 1953-54 after averaging 6.6 ppg the previous season.
Billy Pappas New Hampshire 5-6 Two-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection averaged 18.9 ppg from 1952-53 through 1954-55 with the Wildcats.
Ronell Peters Texas-Arlington 5-6 UTA's all-time leader in assists led the SLC in that category in 1983-84 (7 apg). He also paced the SLC in steals in 1983-84 (2 spg) and 1985-86 (2.4 spg).
Otto Petty Florida State 5-7 The Seminoles' all-time leader in assists with 602 averaged 6.4 ppg for FSU's 1972 NCAA Tournament runner-up. Contributed 7.6 ppg in 1970-71 and 8.2 ppg in 1972-73.
Tajuan Porter Oregon 5-6 Career averages of 14.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.1 apg while shooting 87% from the free-throw line and 38.5% from beyond the arc with the Ducks from 2006-07 through 2009-10. Averaged 31 points in his first three games as a freshman, including 38 with 10 three-pointers against Portland State. Pacific-10 Conference Tournament MVP in 2007 before setting school NCAA playoff record with 33 points against UNLV.
Jim "Miggs" Reilly Georgetown 5-7 Starter for 1943 NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Junior Robinson Mount St. Mary's 5-7 Averaged 14.3 ppg and 3.5 apg from 2014-15 through 2017-18.
Darnell Rogers Florida Gulf Coast & UMBC 5-2 Son of Shawnta Rogers played for FGCU in 2017-18 before averaging 11.3 ppg and 3.1 apg with UMBC from 2019-20 through 2021-22.
Shawnta Rogers George Washington 5-4 Leading scorer for Atlantic 10 Conference Western Division champion in 1998-99 (20.7 ppg) when he was named the league's MVP while also topping the A10 in assists (6.8 apg) and steals (3.6 spg). Three-time all-league selection twice paced the conference in free-throw shooting.
Chuck Rolles Cornell 5-6 Two-time All-Ivy League first-team selection averaged 23 ppg as a senior in 1955-56 after averaging 16 ppg as a junior.
Gene Sosnick Pacific 5-6 All-California Basketball Association first-team selection as a senior in 1952-53 when he averaged 17.6 ppg for the Tigers.
Jim Thacker Idaho 5-7 Two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection averaged team-high 16.7 ppg in 1967-68 and 14.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 1968-69 with the Vandals.
Monte Towe North Carolina State 5-7 All-ACC first-team selection as a junior averaged 11.1 ppg and 4.1 apg from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
Benny Valentine Eastern Washington 5-7 All-Big Sky Conference second-team selection as a junior in 2008-09 (team highs of 15.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg and 55 three-pointers). Texas Tech transfer contributed 8.2 ppg and 2.7 apg the next season.
Spud Webb North Carolina State 5-7 J.C. transfer averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.7 apg with the Wolfpack in 1983-84 and 1984-85. Led the ACC in assists as a junior (6 apg).
Stan Williamson Oregon 5-4 Four-year letterman was two-time All-PCC selection and captain of the Ducks in 1946-47 and 1947-48.
Willie Worsley Texas Western 5-6 Averaged 8 ppg as a sophomore for the Miners' 1966 NCAA Tournament champion. Contributed 12.2 ppg in 1966-67 before sharing backcourt with Tiny Archibald and scoring 14.4 ppg in 1967-68.

HONORABLE MENTION

Mighty Mite School Height Short Summary of College Career
Chase Adams Portland 5-7 Led the Pilots in assists and steals as a freshman during first half of 2019-20 campaign.
Vin Albanese Syracuse 5-7 Averaged 4.6 ppg for the Orangemen in 1955-56 and 1956-57.
Ken Alessi West Virginia 5-7 The Mountaineers' second-leading scorer in 1950-51 (10.1 ppg) behind All-American Mark Workman.
Denzel Barnes Stephen F. Austin 5-7 Juco recruit averaged 6.1 ppg, 2.9 apg and 1.2 spg in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
"Little" Johnny Campbell Arkansas 5-6 Averaged 6.9 ppg for West Regional third-place team in 1949 NCAA playoffs.
John Carey Iona 5-6 Averaged 7.6 ppg from 1967-68 through 1969-70.
Wayne Champeon Maine 5-7 Averaged 10.7 ppg from 1958-59 through 1960-61 as school made transition to major-college level. All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a sophomore.
David Cole West Texas State 5-7 Averaged 4.4 ppg and 1.6 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Participated in 1969 NIT.
Jordan "June" Crump Jr. New Orleans 5-7 Led UNO in assists with 4.2 per game in 1975-76 in the Privateers' inaugural season at NCAA DI level.
Damien Daniels Abilene Christian 5-7 Kansas City product averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.8 apg as freshman in 2018-19 and 5.2 ppg and team-high 3.1 apg as sophomore in 2019-20.
Miles Davis Delaware State 5-7 MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2000-01 and all-league second-team selection as a sophomore. Finished four-year career with averages of 8.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.6 apg and 1.1 spg while shooting 35.5% from beyond the three-point arc.
Gene Duffy Notre Dame 5-7 Averaged 6.6 ppg for the Irish's 1958 Mideast Regional runner-up. Contributed 6.8 ppg as team captain the next season.
Don Ferguson Iowa State 5-7 Averaged 5.1 ppg in 1948-49 and 8.9 ppg in 1949-50 with the Cyclones.
Robert Flynn Dayton 5-7 Member of 1951 NIT runner-up averaged a career-high 7.8 ppg as a sophomore in 1948-49.
Alleo Frazier Alcorn State 5-6 Averaged 4.4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.3 spg from 2002-03 through 2005-06. He led the Braves in assists all three seasons he played with them.
Maurice "Kojak" Fuller Southern (La.) 5-7 Averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.7 apg as a sophomore in 1995-96 with the Jaquars.
Tyquawn Goode Fairfield 5-5 Averaged 5.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.5 spg from 2001-02 through 2004-05. MAAC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior led the Stags in assists all four seasons.
Reggie Jordan Michigan State 5-7 Averaged 2.3 ppg in 1966-67 and 1967-68 before concentrating on baseball. Switch-hitting OF hit .187 in Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system in 1969.
Charles Katsiaficas New Hampshire 5-7 Averaged 7.8 ppg in 1947-48 and 12.1 ppg in 1948-49 with the Wildcats.
Zach Lieberman U.S. International 5-3 Regular for USIU from 1982-83 to 1984-85.
Bob Malone Seattle 5-7 Averaged 4.6 ppg in 1953-54 and 6 ppg in 1954-55 after playing sparingly behind the O'Brien All-American twins in 1952-53.
Mitch McDonald Army 5-7 Part-time starter as a junior and senior in 2009-10 and 2010-11 led the Cadets in assists and steals his final season.
Bob Michel New Hampshire 5-6 Averaged 9.1 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56 with the Wildcats.
Wendell "Cookie" Miller Nebraska 5-7 Averaged 6.1 ppg plus team highs of 3.6 apg and 1.9 spg with the Huskers as a freshman in 2007-08 before posting similar figures the next season as a sophomore.
Wat Misaka Utah 5-7 Averaged 6.9 ppg for the Utes' 1944 NCAA Tournament champion. He was also a member of 1947 NIT titlist.
Bernie Pina Rhode Island 5-6 Letterman from 1951-52 through 1953-54 averaged a career-high 8.5 ppg as a senior for the Rams.
Avery Queen Michigan 5-7 Averaged 5.8 ppg and team-high 4.3 apg as a freshman in 2000-01 and 4.3 ppg and team-high 3.3 apg as sophomore in 2001-02 before dismissal from squad for multiple violations of team rules.
Calvin Rayford Kansas 5-7 Wisconsin native averaged 2.3 apg from 1992-93 through 1995-96. Member of KU's 1993 Final Four squad.
Paul "Pablo" Robertson Loyola of Chicago 5-7 Averaged 5.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for eventual 1963 national champion before New York City native was ruled academically ineligible after the first semester. He went on to play seven years for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Sredrick Robinson Northern Iowa 5-7 Led the Panthers in assists as freshman in 1994-95.
Jim Ross Washington State 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59. Led the Cougars in free-throw percentage as a junior.
Javan Steadham Delaware State 5-7 Averaged 8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.1 apg as a sophomore in 1995-96 after contributing 4 ppg as a freshman. Averaged 9.7 ppg and team-high 4.8 apg in 1996-97 with the Hornets.
Frank Sylvester Bradley 5-4 Averaged 5.9 ppg from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Led the Braves in assists as a junior and senior.
Raymond Taylor Florida Atlantic & Florida International 5-6 Averaged 11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.4 for FAU from 2009-10 through 2011-12 before transferring to FIU, where he played briefly in 2013-14.
Pee Wee Thornton Troy State 5-7 In 1994-95, he averaged 9.6 ppg and team-high 4.6 apg (third in Mid-Continent Conference).
Joe Tocci Penn State 5-7 Averaged 7.5 ppg as Nittany Lions senior co-captain in 1949-50 after contributing 6.3 ppg the previous season.
Jimmy Viramontes Texas 5-7 Averaged 3.5 ppg in 1950-51 and 1951-52, leading the Longhorns in assists his second season after they won SWC crown the previous year.
Leland "Pookey" Wigington Seton Hall 5-4 Member of the Pirates' 1989 NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Rudy Zannini San Francisco 5-7 First guard off bench as senior for 1955 NCAA Tournament champion featuring Bill Russell and K.C. Jones.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 17 NFL Gridiron

November 17th, 2022 - 7:33

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 17 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

NOVEMBER 17

  • Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-30 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1957.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 154 yards on 22 carries in a 20-14 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963.

  • New York Giants rookie E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened game's scoring with a 37-yard touchdown catch in 34-0 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes (90, 77 and 43 yards) in a 31-17 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1968.

  • Green Bay Packers E Lavvie Dilweg (Marquette hoops letterman in 1926) scored all of game's points with two touchdown receptions in a 12-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1929.

  • A field goal by Atlanta Falcons rookie PK Bobby Etter (collected 10 points and five rebounds in 11 basketball games for Georgia in 1964-65 and 1965-66) was the difference in 16-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 1968.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes in a 51-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-21 AFL setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Charlie Hardy (played in nine hoops games for San Jose State in 1954-55) had a career-high six pass receptions in 20-17 AFL setback against the Boston Patriots in 1961.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 165 yards in a 41-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 34-28 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 424 yards.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie E Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) scored the decisive touchdown in fourth quarter with a 34-yard pass reception from Norm Van Brocklin in 31-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 20-of-25 passes - including four touchdowns - in a 38-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 171 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia (32 and 76 yards) - in a 20-17 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2002. The next year, Owens had eight catches for 155 yards in a 30-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers B Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes after returning an interception 68 yards for TD in the second period in 29-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940.

  • Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had two sacks and eight tackles in a 23-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 43-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990.

  • Detroit Lions rookie B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 20-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1935.

  • Catching a touchdown pass in his fifth consecutive contest, New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had seven pass receptions for 159 yards in 48-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1963.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes to TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) in a 28-21 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974.

  • B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had two third-quarter rushing touchdowns for the Detroit Lions' first two scores in a 21-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940.

Walking Tall: Sky is Limit for Purdue's Zach Edey and WKU's Jamarion Sharp

November 17th, 2022 - 7:23

Sky-is-the-limit expectations face 7-5 Jamarion Sharp of Western Kentucky and 7-4 Zach Edey of Purdue. It will be a tall order, but their development likely will determine whether or not their teams thrive. Believe it or not, there has previously been a striking number of towering players with higher points of view.

Who have been the tallest players in major-college history? Seven of 11 NCAA Division I players taller than 7-4 have impacted major-college hoops this century and could literally look down upon national Player of Year winners Lew Alcindor (7-2/UCLA), Anthony Davis (7-0/Kentucky), Patrick Ewing (7-0/Georgetown) and Shaquille O'Neal (7-1/Louisiana State) plus two-time All-Americans Artis Gilmore (7-2/Jacksonville) and Hakeem Olajuwon (7-0/Houston). Nearly half of the players 7-4 or taller were layup line sideshows, averaging no more than 3 ppg in their major-college careers. Edey and Sharp are among the following list of skyscrapers:

Tallest DI Players Ht. School(s) Summary of NCAA Division I Career
Neil Fingleton 7-7 1/2 North Carolina/Holy Cross Missed both of his field-goal attempts in one game with Carolina in 2001-02 before averaging 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg and 45.2 FG% for Holy Cross in 2002-03 and 2003-04
Tacko Fall 7-7 UCF 10.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 bpg and 74 FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19
Kenny George 7-7 UNC Asheville 9.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.7 bpg and 71.6 FG% in 2006-07 and 2007-08 before having part of his right foot amputated because of staph infection
Shawn Bradley 7-6 Brigham Young 14.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.2 bpg and 51.8 FG% in 1990-91
John Hollinden 7-6 Oral Roberts 1.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg in 1976-77 and 1977-78 before transferring to Indiana State-Evansville
Mike Lanier 7-6 Hardin-Simmons/UCLA Averaged 5.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.8 bpg and 45.2 FG% for Hardin-Simmons in 1988-89 and 1989-90 before averaging 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.1 bpg and 32.4 FG% with UCLA in 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Mamadou Ndiaye 7-6 UC Irvine 10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg and 67.6 FG% from 2013-14 through 2015-16
Sim Bhullar 7-5 New Mexico State 10.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.9 bpg and 63.3 FG% in 2012-13 and 2013-14
Chuck Nevitt 7-5 North Carolina State 3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1 bpg and 58 FG% from 1978-79 through 1981-82
Jamarion Sharp 7-5 Western Kentucky juco recruit averaged 8.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 4.6 bpg in 2021-22
Riley Sorn 7-5 Washington 3 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 2019-20 and 2020-21
Alan Bannister 7-4 Oklahoma State/Arkansas State 6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg and 45.9 FG% with OSU in 1985-86 and 1987-88 before averaging 2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.8 bpg and 45.2 FG% with ASU in 1989-90
Lonnie Boeckman 7-4 Oklahoma State 1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 35.8 FG% from 1973-74 through 1976-77
Tom Burleson 7-4 North Carolina State 19 ppg, 12.7 rpg and 51.6 FG% from 1971-72 through 1973-74
Mark Eaton 7-4 UCLA 1.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 bpg and 44.9 FG% in 1980-81 and 1981-82
Zach Edey 7-4 Purdue Canadian will be instrumental in whether Boilers reach Final Four and capture their first-ever NCAA championship
Christ Koumadje 7-4 Florida State 4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg and 62.2 FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19
Rolf Mayr 7-4 Duquesne 1.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg and 42.9 FG% in 1987-88
Chase Metheney 7-4 Virginia 2.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1 bpg from 1995-96 through 1997-98
Ralph Sampson 7-4 Virginia 16.9 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 3.5 bpg and 56.8 FG% from 1979-80 through 1982-83
Rik Smits 7-4 Marist 18.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.2 bpg and 60.9 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88
Steve Turner 7-4 Vanderbilt 8.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 50.2 FG% from 1969-70 through 1972-73
Matt Van Komen 7-4 Utah/Saint Mary's played sparingly for Utes in 2019-20 and Gaels in 2020-21

NOTES: George Bell (7-8/Morris Brown GA, UC Riverside and Biola CA), Paul Sturgess (7-7/Florida Tech and Mountain State WV), Manute Bol (7-6/Bridgeport CT) and Priest Lauderdale (7-4/Central State OH) played for non-DI colleges. . . . Homesick Gunther Behnke (7-4/Kentucky) left UK before start of 1984-85 season to return to his native West Germany.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 16 NFL Gridiron

November 16th, 2022 - 8:29

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 16 in football at the professional level (especially in 1941 and 1947):

NOVEMBER 16

  • In 1947, Baltimore Colts rookie E Hub Bechtol (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1944 before transferring to Texas and concentrating on football) had his lone NFL touchdown reception (against Brooklyn Dodgers).

  • Los Angeles Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1947.

  • Only NFL reception for E Maurice Britt (Arkansas hoops letterman in 1939) was 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Detroit Lions a 21-17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 71-yard pass reception for TD.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie E Bob Carey (forward-center averaged 8.8 ppg in three-year Michigan State career in early 1950s) caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Norm Van Brocklin in 40-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1952. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two TD passes - one of them for 84 yards.

  • New Orleans Saints DB Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) returned an interception 42 yards in 20-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975.

  • New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 49-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1941. Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) logged a rushing TD in his third consecutive contest.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M in a 34-16 AFL win against the New York Jets in 1969.

  • Atlanta Falcons PK Bobby Etter (collected 10 points and five rebounds in 11 basketball games for Georgia in 1964-65 and 1965-66), in the midst of supplying two field goals in five contests during a seven-game span, converted all six extra points and both FGAs in 48-31 win against the Chicago Bears in 1969.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four second-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1952.

  • Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) caught four passes for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Kerry Collins - in a 24-14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 37-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven basketball games for Clemson in 2010-11) scored game's only touchdown with a 22-yard pass reception in fourth quarter of 10-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015.

  • Chicago Bears rookie E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) had two touchdown pass receptions in a 20-14 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1929.

  • A 25-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941.

  • Dallas Cowboys DE Too Tall Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had three sacks in a 24-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1986.

  • San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 101 yards for touchdown in 27-19 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1997.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas letterman in early 1940s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 21-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1947.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 16-7 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1975.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) logged two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 31-10 win against the New York Giants in 1958.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 24-of-30 passes for 314 yards in a 28-10 win against the New York Giants in 2003. Five years later, McNabb passed for 339 yards in a 13-13 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008.

  • Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 60 yards for touchdown in 23-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003.

  • Green Bay Packers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 52 yards for touchdown in 53-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a punt 65 yards for touchdown and had 10 pass receptions in 37-8 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2003.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) completed 10-of-14 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 34-31 win against the New England Patriots in 1975.

Centers of Attention: Debuts Indicate Textbook Centers Becoming Rare Breed

November 15th, 2022 - 21:42

Textbook centers are becoming as rare as a #Dimorat politician criticizing social-distancing violations by protesters/rioters in Kenosha and elsewhere. Regal recruit Dereck Lively II, hampered by back ailment, had a less-than-sterling opening outing with Duke (4 points/2 rebounds/2 blocks in 14 minutes vs. USC Upstate). Time will tell if Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren (14 points/13 rebounds/6 assists/7 blocked shots in debut vs. Dixie State) last year eventually deserves to be included among the premier pivotmen in college basketball history. Two years ago, Memphis celebrated center James Wiseman collected 28 points and 11 rebounds in debut vs. South Carolina State. Wiseman's brief three-game stint before declaring pro and signing with an agent didn't help build his case. He already was impacted by a 12-game NCAA suspension due to booster payment covering moving expenses from Nashville (especially when benefactor was current Tigers coach Penny Hardaway). After Wiseman's exit, USC's Evan Mobley was projected to emerge as the nation's premier big man in 2020-21. Mobley contributed 21 points/9 rebound/3 blocked shots in his debut against California Baptist. By almost any measure, centers in the last 40 years other than Kentucky's Anthony Davis don't seem to be anywhere close to duplicating feats luminaries Lew Alcindor, Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore, Bob Lanier, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell and Bill Walton achieved in their initial varsity campaigns.

Similar to Navy's David Robinson in 1983-84, Connecticut's Andre Drummond was scoreless in his season debut in 2011-12 against Columbia. In a forgettable debut, Wake Forest's Tim Duncan was also scoreless in a season-opening loss to NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993-94 before rebounding with a 12-point, 12-rebound performance in his next outing against Hawaii.

Alcindor (77: 56 points/21 rebounds) and Chamberlain (83: 52 points/31 rebounds) each totaled more points and rebounds in their college game debut than Drummond, Duncan, Patrick Ewing, Nerlens Noel, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Robinson and Ralph Sampson amassed collectively. Following is a look at how many of the premier centers in history fared in their varsity debut against a major college and summary of their first season of NCAA Division I competition:

Celebrated Center School First Varsity Season Debut Game PPG RPG W-L Mark
DeAndre Ayton Arizona 2017-18 19 points/12 rebounds/3 blocks 20.1 11.6 27-8
Mohamed Bamba Texas 2017-18 15 points/8 rebounds/4 blocks 12.9 10.5 19-15
Karl-Anthony Towns Kentucky 2014-15 8 points/8 rebounds 10.3 6.7 38-1
Jahlil Okafor Duke 2014-15 19 points/6 rebounds 17.3 8.5 35-4
Nerlens Noel Kentucky 2012-13 4 points/9 rebounds 10.5 9.5 21-12
Anthony Davis Kentucky 2011-12 23 points/10 rebounds 14.2 10.4 38-2
Greg Oden Ohio State 2006-07 14 points/10 rebounds 15.7 9.6 35-4
Tim Duncan Wake Forest 1993-94 12 points/12 rebounds 9.8 9.6 21-12
Shaquille O'Neal Louisiana State 1989-90 10 points/5 rebounds 13.9 12.0 23-9
Alonzo Mourning Georgetown 1988-89 10 points/10 rebounds 13.1 7.3 29-5
David Robinson Navy 1983-84 scoreless/1 rebound 7.6 4.0 24-8
Hakeem Olajuwon Houston 1981-82 2 points/0 rebounds 8.3 6.5 25-8
Patrick Ewing Georgetown 1981-82 7 points/4 rebounds 12.7 8.5 30-7
Ralph Sampson Virginia 1979-80 4 points/6 rebounds 14.9 11.2 24-10
*Bill Walton UCLA 1971-72 19 points/14 rebounds 21.1 15.5 29-1
**Artis Gilmore Jacksonville 1969-70 35 points/18 rebounds 26.5 22.2 17-7
*Bob Lanier St. Bonaventure 1967-68 23 points/17 rebounds 26.2 15.6 23-2
*Lew Alcindor UCLA 1966-67 56 points/21 rebounds 29.0 15.5 30-0
*Jerry Lucas Ohio State 1959-60 16 points/28 rebounds 26.3 16.3 25-3
*Wilt Chamberlain Kansas 1956-57 52 points/31 rebounds 29.6 18.9 24-3
*Bill Russell San Francisco 1953-54 16 points/17 rebounds 19.9 19.2 14-7

*Sophomore classification.
**Junior classification after attending junior college.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 15 NFL Gridiron

November 15th, 2022 - 8:08

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 15 in football at the professional level (especially in 1964):

NOVEMBER 15

  • Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 38-0 win against the New York Giants in 1936.

  • Rookie E Milan Creighton (All-SWC second-team guard for Arkansas in 1929-30) opened scoring for the Chicago Cardinals with a 27-yard touchdown reception from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in 21-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1931.

  • Chicago Cardinals RB Mal Hammack (played four basketball games with Florida in 1954-55) returned a blocked punt 17 yards for touchdown in 27-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. It was one of four TDs he scored against Philly in a three-year span from 1958 through 1960.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes - including a go-ahead 38-yarder to Pete Retzlaff - in 17-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1964.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) scored two touchdowns in a 27-24 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 345 yards and four touchdowns - three to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 49-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. Five years later, McNabb passed for 450 yards - including two fourth-quarter TDs - in a 31-23 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2009. The next year with the Washington Redskins, McNabb threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 59-28 setback against the Eagles in 2010.

  • Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked four field goals in a 20-19 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1970. It was Percival's third consecutive contest with at least three FGs.

  • TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught 14-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 24-23 win against the New York Jets in 1998.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught two touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 34-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1964.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Cotton Davidson in a 20-10 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1964.

  • Chicago Cardinals B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned an interception 37 yards for touchdown in 24-24 tie against the Los Angeles Rams in 1953.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992.

  • Washington Redskins DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) had two interceptions - returning one 15 yards for touchdown - in a 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964.

Calling Cards: Jelly Among Most Distinctive Nicknames in NCAA Hoops History

November 15th, 2022 - 8:04

UAB's Jordan "Jelly" Walker, averaging more than 30 ppg in his first two outings, is a strong candidate to lead the nation in scoring this season. Walker is among the latest NCAA Division I players with entertaining nicknames. Bo and Mo, Buck and Duck, Butch and Dutch, Bud and Skip plus Red and Whitey are too commonplace. Walker joins the following long list of collegians over the years with the most distinctive monikers:

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 14 NFL Gridiron

November 14th, 2022 - 9:03

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 14 in football at the professional level (especially in 1971):

NOVEMBER 14

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 42-20 win against the Detroit Lions in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes in a 46-21 win against the Lions in 1948.

  • Chicago Bears E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught two touchdown passes from Sid Luckman in a 56-7 win against the New York Giants in 1943.

  • Detroit Lions rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) scored two touchdowns (66-yard pass reception and 43-yard rush) in a 48-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-21 win against the New York Giants in 1965.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Tyler Conklin (averaged 1.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.4 apg for Northwood MI as freshman in 2013-14 before transferring after first semester to Central Michigan to concentrate on football) caught two touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins in a 27-20 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

  • Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 28-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1999.

  • Frankford Yellow Jackets RB Paul "Bob" Fitzke (hoops letterman for Wyoming and Idaho in first half of 1920s) scored a rushing touchdown against the Pottsville Maroons in 1925.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. Steelers WR Dave Smith (averaged 15.6 ppg and 11.6 rpg while shooting 51.1% from floor for Indiana PA in 1968-69 and 1969-70) caught two first-half TD passes from Terry Bradshaw.

  • Detroit Lions rookie B Vern Huffman (All-American was All-Big Ten Conference selection for Indiana in 1935-36 and 1936-37) threw a 28-yard touchdown pass in 17-0 win against the New York Giants in 1937.

  • New York Jets QB Steve Joachim (collected two points and two rebounds in one basketball contest with Penn State in 1971-72 under coach John Bach) appeared in only game of his NFL career in 1976.

  • Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 313 yards in a 35-28 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.

  • New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 141 yards - including 57-yard touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1993.

  • B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 54-yard pass to Jeff Barrett in 29-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1937.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Johnny Lattner (Notre Dame forward in 1951-52) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1954.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 21-16 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1976.

  • Arizona Cardinals DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) had a career-high nine solo tackles in 17-14 win against the New York Giants in 2004.

  • Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 75 yards for touchdown in 19-17 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2004.

  • Houston Texans LB Antwan Peek (made one field goal and grabbed five rebounds in six basketball games for Cincinnati in 2000-01 under coach Bob Huggins) intercepted a pass from QB Peyton Manning in 49-14 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.

  • Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 16-15 win against the Washington Redskins in 1971.

  • Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 AAFC setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 311 yards in a 21-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965. Eagles DT John Meyers (played in seven basketball games with Washington in 1959-60) chipped in with an interception.

  • Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted six times for 275 yards (45.8 average) in a 20-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971.

  • Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-27 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2013.

Leaving a Black Mark: HBCU Grambling Revives Glory Days By Beating CU

November 13th, 2022 - 17:45

An embarrassing setback at Grambling State wasn't exactly what Bill Walton's "Conference of Champions" (Pac-12) had in mind when scheduling a Legacy Series with SWAC members. Ditto a reversal for Arizona State at Texas Southern and setback for Washington State at Prairie View A&M. Grambling, subsequently blown out at Grand Canyon prior to prevailing at Vanderbilt, never has appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament after success wasn't so difficult to find for the Tigers at the small-college level. Beginning with third-rounder Charles Hardnett in 1962, they supplied one of the top 21 NBA draft selections four consecutive years through 1965. Attendance for the game against a power-league member was only 837, a mere pittance of the crowd in 1971-72 when Louisiana College freshman center Clarence Hall played there (against NBA-bound Aaron James) as the first black player for a predominantly white institution to compete at Eddie Robinson's football school. Two seasons earlier, LC defeated Fred Hilton-led Grambling, 71-52, in the first contest where a predominantly white school in Louisiana competed against a HBCU.

In redlining terms, there goes the neighborhood. But at least the Buffaloes' reversal, leaving a historically black mark, isn't the only one sustained by their power-conference colleagues. Grabbing your attention like a slap-happy pope (woman must have been climate-change denier or Trump supporter), no HBCU institution ever has reached Sweet 16 of an NCAA Tournament. However, following are HBCU road victories on a power-league member's homecourt or neutral court during regular-season competition since South Carolina State stunned Miami (Fla.) and Penn State in 2004-05:

Season HBCU Winner on Road Power League Member Loser Competence of Power League School Incurring Defeat
2004-05 South Carolina State 60 Miami (Fla.) 50 Hurricanes won at NCAA playoff-bound Florida.
2004-05* South Carolina State 63 Penn State 43 Nittany Lions lost by three points against 20-game winner Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament.
2005-06 Bethune-Cookman 75 South Florida 68 Bulls beat NCAA playoff-bound Georgetown in regular-season finale.
2006-07 Jackson State 71 Rutgers 70 Scarlet Knights twice defeated Cincinnati.
2007-08 Tennessee State 60 Illinois 58 Illini beat Oklahoma State and Missouri in nonconference competition before bowing to TSU.
2008-09 Morgan State 79 DePaul 75 Blue Demons defeated Cincinnati (18-14) in Big East Tournament.
2008-09 Morgan State 66 Maryland 65 Terrapins participated in NCAA Tournament.
2009-10 Morgan State 97 Arkansas 94 Razorbacks prevailed at Ole Miss, a 24-game winner.
2010-11 Texas Southern 66 Oregon State 60 Beavers beat 30-game winner Arizona.
2011-12 Tennessee State 64 South Carolina 63 Gamecocks upended Clemson, Alabama and Georgia.
2012-13 Alabama A&M 59 Mississippi State 57 Bulldogs beat Marshall Henderson-led Ole Miss and twice defeated Frank Martin-coached South Carolina.
2012-13 Southern (La.) 53 Texas A&M 51 Aggies won at Kentucky in inaugural SEC season and also beat NCAA playoff-bound Mizzou.
2013-14 Coppin State 78 Oregon State 73 Beavers bow to second HBCU school under coach Craig Robinson in last four seasons before winning at Maryland.
2013-14 North Carolina Central 82 North Carolina State 72 Wolfpack suffered first-ever defeat against a MEAC member.
2013-14 Texas Southern 90 Temple 89 Owls defeated UAB on neutral court by 21 points before the Blazers beat North Carolina, which whipped three PS Top 5 teams (Louisville, Michigan State and Kentucky).
2014-15 Delaware State 72 Wake Forest 65 Demon Deacons defeated North Carolina State and Pittsburgh.
2015-16 Alabama State 85 Virginia Tech 82 Hokies defeated eventual NCAA regional #1 seed Virginia.
2015-16 Southern (La.) 76 Mississippi State 72 Bulldogs defeated Arkansas by 32 points.
2016-17 Delaware State 79 St. John's 72 Red Storm won on road against NCAA playoff-bound Syracuse and Providence.
2016-17 Savannah State 93 Oregon State 90 Beavers beat NCAA Tournament-bound Utah.
2017-18 Grambling State 64 Georgia Tech 63 Yellow Jackets beat Top 20 teams Miami (Fla.) and Notre Dame in ACC play.
2018-19 Texas Southern 72 Baylor 69 NCAA playoff-bound Bears beat eventual national runner-up Texas Tech during Big 12 Conference competition.
2018-19 Texas Southern 89 Oregon 84 Ducks were eliminated in Sweet 16 by eventual NCAA champion Virginia.
2018-19 Texas Southern 88 Texas A&M 73 Aggies twice defeated Alabama, a #1 seed in one of the four NIT brackets.
2019-20 Florida A&M 70 Iowa State 68 Cyclones defeated Seton Hall, which finished 15th in final AP poll.
2021-22 Texas Southern 69 Florida 54 Gators, who won their first 26 assignments against HBCU opponents, were ranked #20 in AP poll.
2022-23 Grambling 64 Vanderbilt 62 Vandy's twice defeated Kentucky
2022-23 Southern 74 California 66 Bears beat Colorado and Stanford in back-to-back games

*Neutral court (Milwaukee).

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 13 NFL Gridiron

November 13th, 2022 - 9:50

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 13 in football at the professional level (especially in 1966):

NOVEMBER 13

  • TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) managed a season-high seven pass receptions for eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in 31-24 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

  • Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught two 35-yard touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka in a 27-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1949.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 173 yards in a 28-27 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960.

  • New York Giants B Chris Cagle (four-year hoops letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) scored two touchdowns (pass reception and 70-yard punt return) in a 27-7 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) opened game's scoring with a rushing TD.

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 24-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had an interception in his third consecutive contest.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes in a 23-16 setback against the New England Patriots in 2005.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including an 89-yarder to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) - in 34-16 AFL win against the Miami Dolphins in 1966. It was Taylor's third TD catch of at least 74 yards in a four-game span.

  • Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg in leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) had career highs of six pass receptions and 93 receiving yards in a 31-30 win against the Washington Redskins in 1966. Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47 yards on seven punts.

  • Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) opened game's scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass reception in 21-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 41 yards for touchdown in 32-31 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight UTEP basketball games as freshman in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 138 yards in a 31-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub in 37-9 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011.

  • A 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter by TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) gave the Chicago Bears a 28-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977.

  • Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a fumble recovery 66 yards for touchdown in 34-29 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1977.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 24-10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 41-19 AFL win against the San Diego Chargers in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened game's scoring with a four-yard rushing touchdown in 44-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1949.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in 19-7 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1966.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Tom Rychlec (collected four points and six rebounds in one hoops game for American International MA in 1954-55) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 20-7 AFL setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had his third touchdown catch in four-game span in 2016.

Put Your Big Boy Pants On: Power-League Members Losing At In-State Foes

November 12th, 2022 - 9:36

"Bullying builds character like nuclear waste creates superheroes. It's a rare occurrence and often does much more damage than endowment." - Zack W. Van

When big bullies are struck, they usually take their ball and go home similar to befuddled Plagiarist Bile-dumb fending off questions from #OutHouse reporters. Why do so few power conference members play at in-state mid-major schools or even oppose them on a neutral court during the regular season? Why can't more big-name universities resemble Villanova with its longstanding tradition of competing in the Philly Big 5 honing the Wildcats' competitive edge for conference competition?

Louisville lost at home to crosstown Bellarmine. How much would the margin have been if venue was reversed? In-state games against natural rivals, wherever they're played, are more revealing than most of the incessant mismatches in pre-conference competition. The good news is that it doesn't appear as if fans of the power-league members are weeping as much as grief-stricken leftist loser #ShrillaryRotten about their "huge" defeats against "inferior" opponents. If not bedridden suffering from buyer's remorse regarding Plagiarist Bidumb, can some sycophant give Queen of Denial a computer cloth to wipe away tears before they stain her Chairman Mao empty pants suit?

Non-league schedules would be significantly more entertaining and good for the game if skittish power-league members weren't so condescending and be willing to oppose competent in-state mid-majors away from friendly surroundings. Instead of meeting natural-rival Davids on the road to brace for conference play, they frequently tuck tail and run after checking out the following results thus far this century. The following results are sobering reminders for Goliaths venturing away from Philistine thus far this Century as to why haughty "big boys" frequently strive to only stay home and pick on out-of-state patsies to pad their records:

2022-23
Furman 79, South Carolina 60 (at Charleston)
Gonzaga 77, Washington 60
Temple 68, Villanova 64
UCF 68, Florida State 54

2021-22
Coastal Carolina 80, South Carolina 56
James Madison 52, Virginia 49
Santa Clara 88, Stanford 72
Western Kentucky 82, Louisville 72

2020-21
Brigham Young 82, Utah 64
Georgia State 123, Georgia Tech 120 (4OT)
Mercer 83, Georgia Tech 73
Pepperdine 74, California 62

2019-20
Charlotte 67, Wake Forest 65 (OT)
Rhode Island 75, Providence 61
San Francisco 76, California 64
Santa Clara 71, California 52

2018-19
Cincinnati 62, Xavier 47
Georgia State 91, Georgia 67 (Cayman Islands Classic)
Gonzaga 81, Washington 79
Penn 78, Villanova 75
Saint Mary's 84, California 71
San Francisco 74, Stanford 65
Santa Clara 102, Southern California 92 (2OT)
Seattle 78, Washington State 69
Tulsa 74, Oklahoma State 71

2017-18
Belmont 69, Vanderbilt 60
Colorado State 72, Colorado 63
Long Beach State 76, Stanford 68
Rhode Island 75, Providence 68

2016-17
Duquesne 64, Pittsburgh 55
Indiana State 72, Butler 71
IPFW 71, Indiana 68 (OT)
Long Island 74, St. John's 73 (at Barclays Center)
Middle Tennessee State 71, Vanderbilt 48
Portland 53, Oregon State 45
San Diego State 77, California 65 (at Sacramento)
Southern Methodist 74, Texas Christian 59

2015-16
Duquesne 78, Penn State 52
Fordham 73, St. John's 57
Gonzaga 80, Washington 64 (at Nassau, Bahamas)
Northern Iowa 81, Iowa State 79 (at Des Moines)
Saint Mary's 78, Stanford 61

2014-15
Gonzaga 81, Washington State 66
Massachusetts 71, Boston College 62 (at Boston)
Northern Iowa 56, Iowa 44

2013-14
UC Santa Barbara 72, California 65
George Washington 77, Maryland 75
Gonzaga 90, Washington State 74
Harvard 73, Boston College 58
Illinois State 69, DePaul 64
Long Beach State 72, Southern California 71
Southern Methodist 55, Texas A&M 52 (at Corpus Christi)
Southern Methodist 69, Texas Christian 61
Virginia Commonwealth 82, Virginia Tech 52

2012-13
Brown 69, Providence 68
Butler 88, Indiana 86 (OT)
Coastal Carolina 69, Clemson 46
Florida Gulf Coast 63, Miami (Fla.) 51
Green Bay 49, Marquette 47
La Salle 82, Penn State 57
La Salle 77, Villanova 74 (OT)
Middle Tennessee 56, Vanderbilt 52
Old Dominion 63, Virginia 61

2011-12
Cal Poly 42, Southern California 36
Colorado State 65, Colorado 64
Creighton 76, Nebraska 66
Drake 74, Iowa State 65
Holy Cross 86, Boston College 64
Northern Iowa 80, Iowa 60
Saint Joseph's 65, Penn State 47
Saint Joseph's 74, Villanova 58
Southern Mississippi 86, Mississippi 82
Temple 78, Villanova 67
Xavier 76, Cincinnati 53

2010-11
Central Florida 57, Florida 54
Central Florida 84, Miami (Fla.) 78
Central Florida 65, South Florida 59
Florida Atlantic 50, South Florida 42
Fordham 84, St. John's 81
Furman 91, South Carolina 75
Kennesaw State 80, Georgia Tech 63
Marshall 75, West Virginia 71
UNC Wilmington 81, Wake Forest 69
North Texas 92, Texas Tech 83 (OT)
Northern Iowa 60, Iowa State 54
Princeton 78, Rutgers 73 (OT)

2009-10
Colorado State 77, Colorado 62
Creighton 67, Nebraska 61
Green Bay 88, Wisconsin 84 (OT)
Long Beach State 79, UCLA 68
Northern Iowa 67, Iowa 50
Portland State 88, Oregon 81
Rhode Island 86, Providence 82
Temple 45, Penn State 42
Temple 75, Villanova 65
Tulsa 86, Oklahoma State 65
Wofford 68, South Carolina 61
Xavier 83, Cincinnati 79 (2OT)

2008-09
College of Charleston 82, South Carolina 80 (OT)
Davidson 72, North Carolina State 67
Drake 60, Iowa 43
Lamar 85, Texas Tech 79
Southern Mississippi 78, Mississippi 59
Texas-El Paso 96, Texas Tech 78
Western Kentucky 68, Louisville 54

2007-08
Charlotte 63, Wake Forest 59
Creighton 74, Nebraska 62
Drake 79, Iowa State 44
East Carolina 75, North Carolina State 69
Old Dominion 72, Virginia Tech 69
Rhode Island 77, Providence 60
Richmond 52, Virginia Tech 49
Saint Joseph's 79, Penn State 67
Sam Houston State 56, Texas Tech 54
Tulane 68, Louisiana State 63
Xavier 64, Cincinnati 59

2006-07
Bradley 78, DePaul 58
Butler 60, Indiana 55
Butler 71, Notre Dame 69
Drake 75, Iowa 59
Gonzaga 97, Washington 77
Indiana State 89, Purdue 70
Northern Iowa 70, Iowa State 57
Ohio University 79, Cincinnati 66

2005-06
UC Davis 64, Stanford 58
Colorado State 83, Colorado 82
Creighton 70, Nebraska 44
Evansville 75, Purdue 69
George Washington 78, Maryland 70
Gonzaga 67, Washington State 53
Indiana State 72, Indiana 67
Marshall 58, West Virginia 52
Northern Iowa 67, Iowa 63 (OT)
Old Dominion 58, Virginia Tech 55
Portland 80, Oregon 72
Rhode Island 77, Providence 69
Xavier 73, Cincinnati 71 (OT)

2004-05
Bradley 63, DePaul 53
George Washington 101, Maryland 92
Gonzaga 99, Washington 87
Marshall 59, West Virginia 55
Northern Iowa 99, Iowa State 82
Santa Clara 86, Stanford 76
Temple 53, Villanova 52
Virginia Military 72, Virginia Tech 68

2003-04
Creighton 61, Nebraska 54
Gonzaga 95, Washington State 58
Illinois-Chicago 90, Northwestern 71
Northern Iowa 77, Iowa 66
North Texas 73, Baylor 69
Rhode Island 89, Providence 79
Temple 67, Penn State 56
Xavier 71, Cincinnati 69

2002-03
Dayton 75, Cincinnati 69
Florida Atlantic 74, Miami (Fla.) 73
Gonzaga 95, Washington 89 (OT)
Holy Cross 71, Boston College 70
Penn 62, Penn State 37
Penn 72, Villanova 58
Saint Joseph's 92, Villanova 75
William & Mary 60, Virginia Tech 52

2001-02
Butler 66, Indiana 64
Creighton 76, Nebraska 70
Drake 72, Iowa State 58
Fresno State 65, Southern California 58
Georgia State 83, Georgia 78
Gonzaga 67, Washington State 44
Marshall 81, West Virginia 79 (OT)
Northern Iowa 78, Iowa 76
Old Dominion 55, Virginia Tech 46
Penn 75, Villanova 74
Pepperdine 78, Southern California 77
Portland 79, Oregon 78
Rice 75, Baylor 60
Temple 75, Penn State 63
Temple 63, Villanova 57
Texas-Pan American 72, Baylor 66

2000-01
UC Irvine 56, California 52
Duquesne 71, Pittsburgh 70
Fordham 68, St. John's 67
Gonzaga 86, Washington 74
Indiana State 59, Indiana 58
Oakland 97, Michigan 90
Wichita State 76, Kansas State 66

1999-00
Colorado State 79, Colorado 57
Creighton 89, Nebraska 72
Drake 48, Iowa State 44
George Washington 74, Maryland 69
Gonzaga 76, Washington 66
Gonzaga 73, Washington State 63
Long Beach State 76, Southern California 66
North Texas 91, Texas A&M 88
Saint Louis 75, Missouri 72
Temple 69, Villanova 66
Xavier 66, Cincinnati 64

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 12 NFL Gridiron

November 12th, 2022 - 9:21

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 12 in football at the professional level (especially in 1961):

NOVEMBER 12

  • New York Giants B Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in 38-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. Giants LB Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) returned an interception 65 yards for TD and Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had eight pass receptions for 137 yards.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 52-0 rout of the New England Patriots in 1972. Briscoe finished the game with four catches for 128 yards.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 17-9 win against the New York Jets in 1978. The next year, Carmichael caught two TD passes from Jaworski in a 31-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1979 when Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 308 yards and three TDs.

  • San Francisco 49ers safety Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) had two interceptions in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978.

  • QB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with a 14-yard pass in 21-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944.

  • Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 190 yards - including three for touchdowns - in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1961. Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two second-quarter TDs and Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) caught two first-half TD passes from Bart Starr (one for 53 yards).

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) caught two touchdown passes from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in a 42-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1978.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) recovered a fumble and returned it 55 yards for touchdown in 10-10 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1967.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 2006.

  • Chicago Bears rookie DB John "Red" O'Quinn (scored 91 points for Wake Forest's basketball team in 1947-48 under coach Murray Greason) returned an interception for touchdown in 28-20 win against the New York Yanks in 1950. Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes.

  • New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) returned an interception 41 yards for touchdown in 20-10 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967.

  • Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 100 pass receptions in a 19-16 AFL setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1961.

  • Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted five times for 241 yards (48.2 average) in a 23-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1972.

The Classics: Nothing Better as Holiday Gift Than Natural Rivalry Competition

November 12th, 2022 - 9:07

"Holy shadows of the dead, I am not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and brother people to fight one another. I do not feel happy for this victory of mine. On the contrary, I would be glad, brothers, if I had all of you standing here next to me, since we are united by the same language, the same blood and the same visions." - Alexander the Great

South Carolina's 60-58 verdict over Clemson epitomized natural rivalry competition. The best back-to-back non-conference games of two of the previous seven seasons may have been when Maryland came from behind to upend Georgetown both times. Where was this rivalry for more than three decades and why aren't they dueling again this campaign? We missed out on Patrick Ewing and David Wingate vs. Adrian Branch in the early 1980s, Reggie Williams vs. Len Bias in mid-1980s, Alonzo Mourning vs. Tony Massenburg and Walt Williams in late 1980s and early 1990s, Allen Iverson vs. Joe Smith in mid-1990s and Mike Sweetney vs. Juan Dixon at the turn of 21st Century. Instead of grand games giving us a shot of adrenalin, we got to overdose on cupcakes with the Hoyas and Terrapins combining to win all 66 of their mismatches against in-state weaklings UMBC, UMES, Morgan State and Towson from the early 1980s through 2003-04. It is time for both schools to commit to opposing each other like they did from 1946-47 to 1979-80. If so, the "Duel in D.C." immediately becomes annual must-see TV in pre-conference competition comparable to "Greatest Shows on Earth" such as Kentucky/Louisville, Illinois/Missouri and Cincinnati/Xavier.

Elsewhere, after 105 years steeped in history amid off-the-chart contempt, the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri came to a halt when Mizzou departed the Big 12 Conference for the SEC prior to common sense prevailing as a six-year series was negotiated for this decade. KU has a commanding edge in nearly every category (winning percentage, victories away from home and close games decided by single digits), but the Tigers have been enough of a tormentor to make the series as energetic and entertaining as you can find anywhere. Their border war stacks right up there with the more nationally-acclaimed "Clash of the Titans" between Duke and North Carolina.

Making about as much sense as creepy Plagiarist Bile-dumb securing 12 million more votes than #AudacityOfHype (Obama) or hideous Hunter's artistry, it was shortsighted of KU and Mizzou to let their rivalry end for any length of time. Other great natural non-league match-ups their fans previously weren't able to enjoy on a regular basis needing to be extended include DePaul/Illini, Pitt/West Virginia, Texas/Texas A&M and Cincinnati/Ohio State.

We nearly required self-absorbed former Secretary of State John Kerry to bring James Taylor for a "You've Got a Friend" sing-along to ease the stress after Utah cancelled its game against BYU for a year before re-engaging. After bruised egos were healed, Mizzou opposed KU in Kansas City much like it does in St. Louis against Illinois. But Mizzou couldn't complain when the Jayhawks acted like a jilted lover because the self-centered Tigers, hit-and-running away from problem akin to Beto O'Rourke DWI episode, fail to compete against competent in-state foes such as Missouri State and Saint Louis. Ditto LSU shying away from Louisiana (formerly Southwestern Louisiana).

By almost any measure including Alexander the Great's perspective, KU has a superior program to Mizzou, which is at its lowest ebb in more than 50 years after mess-maker Frank Haith left the Tigers' program in tatters. But Jayhawks coach Bill Self should have reined in his rhetoric as the divorce dialogue intensified or at least take a crash course in college basketball history. When comparing the significance of the Kentucky/Louisville rivalry to the termination of KU's home-and-home conference conflicts with the Tigers, Self said: "Well, they've always played every year (out of league). That's all they know."

Well, Self needs to "always know" that UK and Louisville went 61 years from 1923 through 1983 without a regular-season matchup before they came to their senses and saw the light. Speaking of light, KU and Mizzou simply had to shed one lightweight apiece to keep a good thing going for the sport in general and for their fans specifically like the entertaining Philly Big 5. KU shouldn't also deny hoop fans a Top 20 match-up with Wichita State. But Self-less seems more interested in "scheduling" jobs for family members of prize prospects.

By toning down picking on patsies, there is plenty of room on their respective non-league schedules to keep playing each other. Ditto for Indiana and Kentucky duplicating Memphis and Tennessee resuming their rivalries this year. If consistent, they would definitely be among the top 10 such confrontations in the country. The century-old KU/Mizzou spectacle could surpass Kentucky/Louisville and go atop the following list of the nation's top 25 non-conference rivalries if only because of longevity:

  1. Kentucky/Louisville
  2. Illinois/Missouri
  3. Cincinnati/Xavier
  4. Iowa/Iowa State
  5. Indiana/Notre Dame
  6. Brigham Young/Utah
  7. St. Joseph's/Villanova
  8. Georgia/Georgia Tech
  9. Florida/Florida State
  10. Marquette/Wisconsin
  11. Clemson/South Carolina
  12. New Mexico/New Mexico State
  13. Marshall/West Virginia
  14. Utah/Utah State
  15. Temple/Villanova
  16. La Salle/Villanova
  17. Florida/Miami (FL)
  18. Iowa/Northern Iowa
  19. Colorado/Colorado State
  20. Drake/Iowa
  21. Penn/Villanova
  22. Providence/Rhode Island
  23. Creighton/Nebraska
  24. La Salle/Temple
  25. Idaho/Idaho State

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 11 NFL Gridiron

November 11th, 2022 - 9:10

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 11 in football at the professional level (especially in 1945 and 2001):

NOVEMBER 11

  • Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) completed game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown reception in 19-19 tie against the New York Giants in 1928 after Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) opened scoring by returning a punt 70 yards for TD.

  • Houston Texans LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had six tackles in a 13-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 2012.

  • Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had an 84-yard touchdown reception from Bob Waterfield in 20-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1945.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes - including 74 yards for his first NFL score - in a 27-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2001.

  • HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with an eight-yard pass in 34-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1945.

  • Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including a 75-yarder to Abner Haynes - in 52-31 AFL win against the New York Titans in 1962.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) opened game's scoring with a rushing touchdown and extra point in 27-0 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1928.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 11 passes - including two touchdowns - in a 31-27 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2012. Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught seven passes for 146 yards (including two second-quarter TDs from Drew Brees).

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) in 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1934.

  • Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 38-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted 10 times for 456 yards (45.6 average) in a 49-0 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1962.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes (53 and 54 yards) in a 45-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951.

  • New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five games for Florida in 1989-90) had 11 pass receptions for 167 yards in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2001.

  • Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 30-19 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 138 yards on 25 carries in a 26-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-12 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 105 yards for touchdown in 55-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2012.

  • Baltimore Colts CB Rex Kern (averaged 8.4 ppg for Ohio State's freshman squad in 1968-69) returned an interception 22 yards in 44-0 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1973.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1973.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 90 yards for touchdown in 34-27 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2001.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1951. Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half TD passes.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1985.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 48-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. Six years later, McNabb completed 20-of-28 passes - including four TDs - in a 33-25 win against the Washington Redskins in 2007.

  • Duluth Eskimos rookie FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the New York Giants in 1926.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2001. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught two second-half TD passes from Tony Romo in a 31-20 win against the New York Giants in 2007.

  • Detroit Lions rookie B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) opened game's scoring by throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass in 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1945.

  • New York Giants DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) returned an interception 40 yards for touchdown in 28-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1951.

  • Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a career-high nine pass receptions in 16-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979.

  • New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had six pass receptions for 158 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 41-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962.

  • E Hub Ulrich (Kansas hoops letterman in 1942) accounted for the Miami Seahawks' lone score with a 28-yard touchdown reception in 20-7 AAFC setback against the Chicago Rockets in 1946.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Buist Warren (Tennessee hoops letterman in 1938 and 1940) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in 23-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1945.

  • New England Patriots TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 33-13 setback against the New York Jets in 1973.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Giants in 1945.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 10 NFL Gridiron

November 10th, 2022 - 9:45

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks about NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

NOVEMBER 10

  • Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had 3 1/2 sacks and six tackles in a 45-21 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2014.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 27-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974.

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns - including the decisive score in the fourth quarter - in a 21-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1974.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. Redskins rookie E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 48.8 yards on four punts.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 131 yards on 27 carries in a 9-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1963.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for three of his league-high 16 touchdowns in a 24-16 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2019.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957.

  • New York Jets TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 31-27 AFL setback against the Houston Oilers in 1963.

  • RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) opened the Baltimore Colts' scoring by returning a kickoff 102 yards for touchdown in 27-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1968.

  • New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) opened game's scoring by returning a kickoff 88 yards for touchdown in 21-14 win against the New England Patriots in 1974.

  • Detroit Lions B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) threw two long touchdown passes (72 and 88 yards) in a 17-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1946.

  • Baltimore Ravens DE Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on 25-yard interception return in 38-27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002.

Jailhouse Jocks: Hall of Shame Wrongdoing May Kill College Hoops' Image

November 10th, 2022 - 8:59

Between 1980 and 2020, the average price of tuition, fees, plus room and board for an undergraduate degree increased 169%. Instead of academic/diversity-driven exemptions and exceptions, it's too bad the institutions of lower learning didn't bother to raise scholastic and enrollment standards or at least devote portion of their endowment largesse toward conducting authentic background checks.

What an image to endure after three Virginia football players were assassinated by a former UVa gridiron recruit. In the aftermath of disturbing shootout at 3:15 a.m. leading to postponing of New Mexico State/New Mexico rivalry games, there is also more than ample evidence that basketball is equally screwed up across the country. Three months before NMSU suspended program in aftermath of revelation of sexually-charged hazing incidents ending up costing school $8 million, questions linger in light of brawl at football contest between same schools the previous month. Despite eventually avoiding charges via self-defense, how in hell did NMSU gunman have a weapon following road trip on bus to Albuquerque? Why wasn't he adequately supervised in predawn hours? How did he travel to crime scene? Why wasn't law enforcement promptly notified by team of weapon left behind in hotel room? The NCAA should simply adorn coach/probation officer in a Statue of Liberality suit and inscribe: "Give me your troubled, your deranged, the wretch refuse . . . ." In essence, that message is their recruiting spiel. Much like abortion, we've become desensitized to sordid stories of smart-asset athletes getting in trouble. In midseason, Washington, D.C. product Darius Miles was arrested and subsequently indicted for capital murder after Alabama backup junior forward allegedly provided gun fired at a car in an area know as "The Strip," killing a 23-year-old woman.

Forget about focusing on the shortcomings of UVa's multi-disciplinary threat assessment team. There should just be a class-action lawsuit against the school and athletic department (A.D. Carla Williams) for allowing someone like the accused murderer remotely close to their program (listed as freshman RB on team's 2018 roster). Ditto innumerable females around the nation who should be seeking counsel upon impacted by social scholars involved in "War on Women" on college campuses.

One certainly can't count on the #MessMedia to do its job to help thwart the collegiate crap, let alone the FTX Crypto scam artist showering #Demonrats with campaign funds before going bankrupt. The Washington Compost, which previously described ISIS terrorist Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi as an "austere religious scholar," expressed its usual affinity for human debris by commending the alleged shooter (Christopher Jones Jr.) for overcoming a rough childhood. Are you kidding me? Jones allegedly told his victims he shot on a bus "you are always messing with me." But it's also college administrators and press puke messing with students specifically and public generally bringing athletes to campus who have no business being there. What will it take for some people to realize there is a tremendous risk allowing the admissions office to abdicate to athletics department solely to try to win a few more games? If priorities aren't modified, some coaches should be arrested for impersonating a warden.

NCAA (National Collection of Abusive Athletes). Seems as if that is what the organization's acronym should be in wake of former Missouri hooper James "Jed" Frost shooting and killing his estranged wife and himself inside the Dallas County medical examiner's office. A year ago, George Mason signee Cameron Walker's was arrested with a GA high school teammate by SWAT team on murder charges and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery following recent death of a man in drug-related case at parking lot (allegedly sold drugs out of apartment via social media). The Patriots' program, coached by former Mizzou player Kim English, had lauded Walker's toughness and "competitive edge." In an era when getting correct answer in mathematics is deemed racist, some edgy ill-informed GMU students exhibiting questionable priorities were concerned with wanting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh fired from a summer teaching position despite widely-discredited sexual misconduct allegations against him. No word on how many GMU students might have been involved in abortion-related protests at Kavanaugh's residence before or after a man was accused of threatening to assassinate him.

Disgruntled steamy romance novelist Stacey Abrams, in the aftermath of another gubernatorial defeat, probably should be throwing #Dimorat diva's weight behind voting for moral compass classes in GA. Beneath its glitz and glamour, college basketball has a description-defying unruly rap sheet of human viruses appearing to include Tulane's Teshaun Hightower, who was denied bond after Georgia transfer's arrest and charge of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and battery following an investigation in a fatal shooting this past spring.

A disturbing report bubbled up when Jarion Childs, a three-time CAA leader in steals (1997-98 through 1999-00), was killed in his hometown of Groton, Conn., in late June 2004 after an alleged "steal" of another kind - breaking into a Dairy Queen shortly after midnight. He was shot by the store's owner after prying the back door's lock with a crowbar and allegedly striking the owner three times with the crowbar. A local news channel reported that Childs, who led American University in assists each of his last two years, may be responsible for multiple murders in southeastern Connecticut. One elderly bedridden victim reportedly was "cared for" by Childs' sister working for home health care business called Good as Gold. The state police forensic lab apparently matched Childs' palm prints (usually good-as-gold evidence) to a set lifted from the window at victim's house.

The unruliness has spiked in recent years. While some selective-outrage fans might be more disappointed at Keith Appling's performance in final college game (2 points/0 rebounds/2 assists/4 turnovers/5 fouls in East Regional final vs. UConn), the former All-Big Ten Conference selection's manhunt arrest and murder charge regarding shooting death of a relative surfaced after team captain fled in newer model, tan-colored Buick Regal with girlfriend as getaway driver. Officers assisting at crime scene found a black revolver reportedly wrested from Michigan State's leader in assists from 2011-12 through 2013-14 deposited on the front lawn a few feet from green MSU ball cap. A vital question begs answering: Where's the accountability for school administration and athletic department with admittance standard allowing such a troubled individual to Dr. Larry Nassar's campus (sentenced in spring of 2023 to up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder)? They should have promptly known something was amiss after disturbing strip miniature basketball incident during freshman orientation in September 2010. Didn't Spartans coach Tom Izzo proclaim Appling had "whole different perspective" after visiting him in jail in mid-December 2017 before turning attention to female victims of his recruits? Izzo mistakenly thought Appling was "becoming better at dealing with the real world." Instead of arranging etiquette and ethics classes for antisocial athletes she covered or covered up for, don't be surprised if self-absorbed journalistic jackal/ESPN reject Jemelle Hill blames "supremacist" #TheDonald, WV Senator Joe "White Dude" Manchin or untrustworthy Caucasian police officer on apprehension of hallowed hooper from The Atlantic contributor's hood (alma mater). "Keith is a killer (player)," his former AAU coach said. In public-school educated misguided minds, Appling has assembled rap-sheet street cred to become next BLM martyr like career criminals Andrew Brown Jr., Jacob Blake, Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd or Freddie Gray (a/k/a ambulance-chasing attorney Ben Crump's black cash cows).

In February of 2021, the hoop wickedness extended to Logan Kelley, a Rutgers walk-on in 2012-13 arrested in Tijuana, Mexico, for killing a strip club employee. Kelley pleaded guilty (sentenced to 22 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of about $40,000) to walking up behind the victim and fatally slicing her neck with a knife while she was speaking with another man in a hallway. Nightclubs and bars not serving food were supposed to be closed amid coronavirus restrictions, but the strip club/brothel enterprise apparently was operating anyway. In late summer of 2020, Romero Collier, a freshman with Niagara in 2015-16, was arrested and charged with one count each of first- and second-degree murder, first- and third-degree robbery and first-degree criminal use of a firearm. In mid-summer of 2021, Post University CT juco recruit Raekwon Drake was charged with first-degree murder after shooting a man in the head who chased him with other Hispanics and ran away with his dog in the heart of Chicago.

Entering dangerous terrain when comparing cancerous athletes to the public-at-large segment of our population, there is a seemingly congested intersection populating hot hoop prospects who become prime suspects. Rarely exposed to the rigid word "no," some of the hero worshiped think the world revolves around them and develop a sordid sense of "out-of-bounds" entitlement. Many of the misguided go from the brink of the pros to the clink with black-and-white striped (or orange) clothes.

"When you are among the high-flying adored, your view of the world becomes blurred," wrote psychologist Stanley Teitelbaum of the flouting-of-the-law behavior in the book "Sports Heroes, Fallen Idols: How Star Athletes Pursue Self-Destructive Paths and Jeopardize Their Careers."

"Off the field, some act as if they are above the rules of society; hubris and an attitude of entitlement become central to the psyche of many athletes. They may deny that they are vulnerable to reprisals and feel omnipotent and grandiose as well as entitled."

Sounds almost like lame-stream legacy press failing to pressure authorities to get their hands dirty and clean up collegiate cesspool. In the meantime, an excessive number of depraved derelicts can't resist and make the toxic transition from game-breakers to lawbreakers when seduced by the dark side such as "looting reparations." There have been a striking number of heart-breaking stories rocking the world of sports, derailing dreams and creating miscreants who are poster boys for bad behavior. In order to try to comprehend the absence of a moral compass in some communities, Billy Moore, who participated in killing the nation's No. 1 prep prospect (Chicago's Ben Wilson) in late 1984, said "I'm not a criminal" after serving nearly 20 years in prison. In aftermath of teenager Kyle Rittenhouse's "guilty verdict" killing clown-show careers of attorneys prosecuting him, perhaps Plagiarist Bile-dumb Administration, via spokesperson Ka-ringe Worthy, will deem hardened hoopers as mere protesters and finally have VP Cacklin' Kamala do something for which she is competent (arrange bail money). An astonishing number of professional athletes/social scholars sounded off on the verdict with as much expertise as hideous Hunter's artistry.

Idaho professor Sharon Stoll was not surprised when sports pages occasionally read like a police blotter focusing on 15 minutes of shame such as former Minnesota guard Daquein McNeil charged with arson in Baltimore in the summer of 2017 in connection with the homicide of a man who happened to be staying at the vacant house.

"In sport, we have moved away from honorable behavior," said Stoll, who operated the Center for Ethical Theory and Honor in Competitive Sports and conducted a 17-year study during which 72,000 athletes filled out questionnaires. "The environment of athletics has not been supportive of teaching and modeling moral knowing, moral valuing and moral action. Many of these young people have no sense of what is acceptable behavior."

It's unnerving when active or former narcissistic players go from the big time breaking ankles to the big house donning ankle bracelets. Infinitely more disconcerting is when deaths are involved amid the life and crimes. Despite some of the repulsive garbage, college hoops is too great a game to be ruined by moral malfeasance including a seven-footer from Duluth, Ga., reportedly recruited by Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida and Winthrop facing serious charges (robbery and assault with intent to commit a crime) in connection to the murder of a man several years ago and a Pitt-Greensburg letterman charged with criminal homicide involving his ex-girlfriend.

Who are "reimagine" morons going to call when in dire straits or "reparations" thefts occur? Do they have emergency number for Ghostbusters? Mandated re-education camp (antithesis of "Hands Off! Don't Loot!"), including forced viewing of MSLSD's nauseating lineup soiled by Joyless Reid and tax cheat Al "Not So" Sharpton, might be on horizon for those individuals principled enough to state the obvious. But instead of "gangstas," why not support #BlueLivesMatter to avoid testing positive for stupid? Amid insane woke emphasis on defunding police rather than promoting more cooperation with law enforcement to diffuse longstanding snitches-get-stitches culture, we get former Oklahoma All-American Blake Griffin among prominent athletes and activists such as statuesque social scholar Kim Kardashian seeking clemency for Julio Jones, a black man on death row in Oklahoma stemming from crime (first-degree murder of local businessman) he claims he didn't commit. Griffin's father, Tommy, coached Jones on an undefeated state titlist in high school before he was slated to try to walk-on with the Kelvin Sampson-coached Sooners in fall of 1999. A two-hour ABC episode on "20/20" was an abridged version of the documentary series, "The Last Defense."

The accompanying "Thugs R Us" hoop-horror summaries aren't designed to defile hoopdom. Actually, if college basketball can survive such unsavory incidents and classless ambassadors, it must be a helluva sport. It's nearly the equivalent of our country surviving #Dimorat dolts pulling respective leech-like heads out of butts and "reclaiming their time" in judicial hearings. At any rate, how many schools wouldn't be tainted if they had just embraced modest academic standards rather than NABC drooling over eliminating emphasis on ACT and SAT results? How about more critical thinking about law and order than critical race theory? What went awry for the following alphabetical list of slam dunkers who wound up in the slammer after murder/manslaughter probes?

Richie Adams, UNLV (coached by Jerry Tarkanian) - A 1989 conviction for larceny and armed robbery led to a five-year prison term for the two-time Big West Conference Tournament MVP. Following his parole, Adams was convicted of manslaughter in September 1998 after being accused of stalking and killing a 14-year-old Bronx girl in a housing project where both lived. The girl's family said Adams attacked her because she rejected his advances. Adams, nicknamed "The Animal" because of his intense playing style, was considered a defensive whiz and led the Rebels in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots for their PCAA champions in 1983-84 and 1984-85. "I used drugs occasionally, when I wanted to do it," Adams said. "When I went to play basketball, if I needed a pain reliever, I would sniff some cocaine." His trouble with the law escalated in 1985, a day after he was drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Bullets, when the two-time All-PCAA first-team selection was arrested for stealing a car. In high school, Adams and several teammates allegedly stole their own coach's auto.

Clifford Allen, UNLV (Jerry Tarkanian) - November 1985 J.C. signee by the Rebels was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder as part of a plea bargain in the 1989 death of a man in Milton, Fla. Allen, a native of Los Angeles, said in a recorded statement that he used a steak knife to kill a 64-year-old guidance counselor after the man allegedly made sexual advances in the counselor's trailer. Allen, driving the victim's auto when he was arrested, enrolled at several jucos and also reportedly considered an offer to play for Tim Floyd at New Orleans.

Justin "Spider" Burns, Cal State Fullerton (Bob Burton) - Two-year starter for the Titans (10.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg in 2005-06 and 2006-07; second-leading rebounder as junior and senior) was arrested in Jackson, Miss., in the spring of 2011 on a murder charge related to the strangulation slaying of his ex-girlfriend the previous fall. Her body was found by target shooters in a valley desert area under a pile of blackened rocks. According to Burns' arrest report, the brother of rapper Jason Douglas Burns (a/k/a WorldWideWebbb) was the last person to be seen with the West Covina, Calif., resident and had argued with her the night before she was killed after coming to Las Vegas to visit him. In the weeks after her burned body was found, his father (former UNLV player Michael "Spiderman" Burns) refused to cooperate with police about his son's whereabouts, the report said. Spider committed suicide (suffocation by strangulation) at the age of 39 in June of 2023 in prison.

Ritchie Campbell, Hawaii commitment (Riley Wallace) - Just days after leading scorer in Western New York high school history (for 27 years) left jail following stint there stemming from involvement with alcohol and drugs (weapons charge linked to August 1993 arrest while driving stolen vehicle), he was fiddling with a gun at 3 a.m. in spring of 1994 while drunk at his girlfriend's house. The weapon went off and the bullet struck a woman he didn't know (10 years older than him) in the back of her neck. After the mother of a baby girl died two days following the shooting, J.C. recruit was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and served 17 years in prison. In July 1992, a jury acquitted him of attempted murder and other charges involving a shootout with Buffalo police during the summer of 1991.

Jeff Clifton, Middle Tennessee State (Bruce Stewart)/Arkansas State (Nelson Catalina) - Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection (1992-93 and 1993-94) who tied ASU's DI single-game scoring record with 43 points was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading no contest in fatal beating of his two-year-old son. He was charged with capital murder and abuse of a corpse (hiding it about 40 miles away for more than a year) after the toddler's remains were found in early December 2015 in a vacant lot.

Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech (Paul Hewitt) - All-ACC third-team selection as a freshman in 2006-07 was sentenced to 23 years as part of a plea deal stemming from charges of murder and gang activity. Charged in late August 2011 after a woman was a drive-by shooting victim on a Southeast Atlanta street by someone inside a dark-colored SUV. The mother of four wasn't the intended target in what appeared to be retaliation for a $50,000 robbery of jewelry in the spring when Crittenton was a victim. Crittenton, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in late January 2010 and received probation, was suspended 38 games by the NBA after he and teammate Gilbert Arenas acknowledged bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room following an altercation stemming from a card game on a team flight. While out on bond, Crittenton was arrested in mid-January 2014 in drug sting taking down more than a dozen persons accused of selling multiple kilos of cocaine and several hundred pounds of marijuana.

Ke'Vonte Davis and Jamontae Davis, Columbia State Community College TN - Brothers were charged with criminal homicide in connection with fatal shooting outside a Nashville high school in late January 2016 (victim shot four times in torso). The altercation stemmed from a lingering dispute over a girl. At the time of shooting, Jamontae Davis (Tennessee State signee in fall of 2012) attended Odessa College (Tex.) and had been kicked off team following arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman. Kevonte Davis was sentenced to five years' probation with a split confinement sentence (already in jail for 90 days and remained there until completing six months behind bars). Jamontae Davis was sentenced to two years' probation without confinement upon conviction of criminally negligent homicide.

Howell Emanuel "Trai" Donaldson III, St. John's (Steve Lavin) - Ordered held without bond following arrest by Tampa police after four separate shooting murders in six-week period during fall of 2017 involving victims ranging in ages from 22 to 60. A McDonald's manager received $110,000 reward for helping crack the case when coworker contacted police officer doing paperwork in restaurant after Donaldson asked her to hold bag containing loaded .40 Glock firearm while alleged serial killer went to nearby business to arrange a payday loan. Police said AT&T cellphone data put him in area of each killing and a hoodie seen in released surveillance videos was found in his Ford Mustang. Sports management major walked onto St. John's team during 2011-12 season when Lavin missed majority of year recovering from cancer surgery and only had seven scholarship players available. The 6-0 guard never played in a game for the program.

Carlton Dotson, Baylor (Dave Bliss) - Junior college recruit was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering Baylor roommate/teammate Patrick Dennehy with a hand gun in the summer of 2003. Dennehy, shot twice above the right ear, was New Mexico's leading rebounder (7.5 rpg) in 2001-02 under coach Fran Fraschilla before he was dismissed from the squad when Ritchie McKay succeeded Fraschilla. Dotson was arrested upon telling FBI agents he shot Dennehy after the player tried to shoot him. Bliss was fired by Baylor, the world's largest Baptist school, before reports surfaced about his direct involvement in a Hall of Shame cover-up attempting to hide drug use and NCAA violations within his program by encouraging an assistant coach and Bears players to depict the slain Dennehy as a drug dealer.

James "Jed" Frost, Missouri (Norm Stewart) - Shot and killed his wife and himself in November 2022 inside the Dallas County medical examiner's office six months after she filed for divorce. Frost was a member of Mizzou's regional finalist team as a senior in 1993-94.

Brad Greene, Arizona (Bruce Larson) - Member of Black Panther Party twice went to prison. Chicago native served 8 1/3 years following conviction in circumstantial evidence case as part of group involved in murder of a policeman in mid-June of 1970. Arrested again in late 1979 while on parole and was incarcerated another 10 years. He averaged 8.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg for UA in 1966-67 and 1967-68.

DeAndre "Dre" Harrison, San Jacinto Junior College commitment (Scott Gernander) - Pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and received 10-year sentence in capital murder case. Brother of St. John's star D'Angelo Harrison was among seven men allegedly in a Tahoe van in drug deal gone bad in late May 2010 in parking lot outside a Dave & Buster's in Houston entertainment complex.

Parish Hickman, Michigan State (Jud Heathcote)/Liberty (Jeff Meyer) - Spartans regular for three seasons before transferring and becoming Liberty's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1992-93 pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 3-to-15 years in prison for the January 2001 murder of a Detroit man outside a Westside gas station. Acquitted after appearing before a federal judge on cocaine charges in the spring of 1991 following his on-campus arrest at MSU.

Jerome "Lenny" Holly, Texas Tech (James Dickey)/Arizona State (Bill Frieder) - Found guilty in the fatal shooting of a man and the wounding of another outside a New Mexico nightclub in mid-September 2003 during a dispute over drugs (both victims shot in back). SWC freshman of the year in 1992-93 before attending a juco and transferring to ASU, where he was plagued by medical problems (placed on prescription medication after suffering seizure and losing consciousness while driving in Los Angeles).

Baskerville Holmes, Memphis State (Dana Kirk) - A starting forward who averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Tigers' 1985 Final Four team, he was arrested twice for domestic violence. Later, Holmes, an out-of-work truck driver, and his girlfriend were found shot to death March 18, 1997, in an apparent murder-suicide in Memphis. Three children were at home at the time of shootings. He was 32.

LaKeith Humphrey, Kansas State (Lon Kruger)/Central Missouri State (Jim Wooldridge) - Sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the late November 2006 death of his former girlfriend, who was shot through her bedroom window about 3:40 a.m. in his hometown of Memphis. Humphrey, a J.C. recruit, averaged 12.6 ppg and 3.6 apg for K-State's NCAA playoff team in 1988-89.

Joe Hurst, Iowa State (Glendon Anderson) - While on three-year probation for robbing CTA bus drivers, Hurst shot a Chicago patrolman to death and wounded his partner with bullet to the face in 1967 during a traffic stop. When Cyclones regular in 1963-64 was sentenced to death, self-proclaimed minister of the House of Islam told the judge, "Life and death is in God's hands. I may have been an instrument in (cop's) death, but it must have been his time to go." After the U.S. Supreme Court declared a moratorium on capital punishment in 1972, Hurst was resentenced to 100 to 300 years in prison. Controversial Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx (remember mishandling of Jussie Smollett probe) inexplicably dropped her opposition to his parole bid, rankling police officers when 77-year-old Hurst was freed by parole board in late February 2021.

Lawrence Ingram, Murray State (Ron Greene) - Juco recruit who played in 17 games for the Racers' 1983 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion was sentenced to 20 years in prison for first-degree reckless homicide in early November 2017 killing at a squalid homeless encampment under a Milwaukee freeway overpass. Ingram abused cocaine and his criminal record began in 1988 with a conviction for robbery.

Joeviair Kennedy, Western Michigan (Steve Hawkins) - Convicted of armed robbery and a weapons charge but acquitted of murder, he was sentenced to at least 17 years in prison in the fatal shooting of a student at an off-campus apartment in December 2016 theft where he and a co-defendant allegedly got marijuana, a cellphone and about $25. Kennedy, a 6-4 redshirt guard who averaged 3.1 ppg in eight WMU contests, said a former Muskegon high school teammate sentenced to life in prison pulled the trigger.

William Langrum II, McLennan County Community College TX (Kevin Gill) - Starting power forward and H.S. teammate of Georgia Tech/NBA star Chris Bosh on Texas' 4A state championship club in 2002 (declared national champion by USA Today) was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole when a jury found him guilty of capital murder after a 50-year-old woman was stabbed to death with a hunting knife in a purse robbery outside her Dallas-area condominium in the fall of 2011 as she returned from church. In the aftermath of killing her, Langrum and an accomplice went to a different portion of Dallas and began stalking another potential victim before police arrested them. Coincidentally, Bosh's mother was the subject of a drug trafficking probe in December 2017.

Robert Littlejohn, Purdue (Gene Keady) - Junior college recruit who served as starting center for NCAA tourney team in 1984-85 was sentenced to 60 years in prison after conviction of chasing and stabbing a woman to death during fight in fall of 2019 in Fort Wayne, Ind. The 21-year-old female collapsed right in the middle of the street.

Leonel Marquetti, Southern California (Bob Boyd and Stan Morrison)/Hampton (Hank Ford) - Former McDonald's All-American was sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder in a March 25, 2010, slaying in Plant City, Fla. Prosecutors portrayed Marquetti as a hoarder who was jealous of a wrongly-assumed relationship with an ex-girlfriend, a German-born dog breeder. Marquetti shot a white handyman four times - once as he faced him and three times as his victim lay face down. Jurors also found him guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm and false imprisonment. The Los Angeles native averaged 4.8 ppg in 1978-79 and 1979-80 with USC before transferring.

Howard McNeil, Seton Hall (Bill Raftery) - Convicted at Norristown, Pa., in early February 1999 of third-degree murder in the stabbing death of a suspected prostitute. Police said the woman's skull was cracked when she was pushed into a wall before being stabbed to death. According to prosecutors, McNeil also stole a safe filled with drugs from the house. McNeil, an All-Big East Conference third-team selection as a junior in 1980-81 before being declared academically ineligible late in senior season, was found guilty of related drug and theft charges, but not convicted on more serious first- and second-degree murder charges. In 1976, he shot a friend in the head with a handgun at a Valentine's Day party, but was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and avoided jail.

Branden Miller, Montana State (Mick Durham) - Sentenced to 120 years in prison (100 for deliberate homicide, 10 for use of a weapon and 10 for tampering with evidence) after he was charged with murder in late June 2006 in the shooting death of a suspected cocaine dealer whose body was found at the school's agronomy farm. Investigators said the murder weapon was one of two .40-caliber handguns Miller bought from a pawn shop two weeks before the incident. He was the Bobcats' third-leading scorer in 2004-05 before becoming academically ineligible.

Ali Mohammed and Lavell White, Allan Hancock Community College CA (Tyson Aye) - Teammates were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole stemming from a late 2014 botched robbery of a drug dealer ending in murder. During the trial, witnesses testified that the killing occurred while Mohammed and White were in midst of a crime spree including burglarizing homes and robbing another drug dealer. They celebrated New Year's Eve by shooting off the murder weapon.

Mike Niles, Cal State Fullerton (Bobby Dye) - After playing briefly with the Phoenix Suns, the enforcer for the Titans' 1978 West Regional finalist, before booted from the squad due to academic anemia, was convicted in late January 1989 of hiring a man to murder his wife and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. She died of a shotgun blast to the back of her skull from close range. According to the prosecution, Niles arranged to pay $5,000 to kill his wife, a prison guard, to collect $100,000 from a life insurance policy. A witness testified that Niles said he wanted his wife killed because she "messed me out" of money from basketball. The cycle of violence continued when his aspiring rapper son, Brandon, was buried at 17, the victim of a gunshot to the chest by a rival gang.

Stephen O'Reilly, North Florida (Matthew Driscoll) - Virgin Islands product who played briefly for UNF in 2009-10 was charged in the fatal stabbing of a roommate in Gwinnett County (Ga.) in late March 2013. The roommate, suffering from sickle cell anemia, was stabbed more than 18 times by assailant with a butcher knife.

Terry Pettis, Fresno State (Ray Lopes) - Sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of a junior college student who was behind the wheel of a car while her boyfriend sold marijuana in the seat next to her. Pettis had been arrested in his hometown of Minneapolis in May 2004 on charges of killing the woman when she tried to drive away during a botched drug robbery the previous month in Fresno, Calif., at a secluded lot near an apartment building. The crime was so grisly that the judge decided jurors couldn't see an autopsy photo showing the bullet's impact on the teenager's head. Pettis, a starting point guard for the Bulldogs in 2002-03 and 2003-04 before he was suspended for not completing a treatment program, pleaded no contest in September 2003 to misdemeanor vandalism and battery charges involving his girlfriend.

Bryan Randall, Dartmouth (Paul Cormier) - Facing a pending divorce, All-Ivy League selection in 1986-87 and 1987-88 dropped his two youngest children in the murky waters of an Orlando-area office park lake in mid-September 2003 (two-year-old girl drowned and four-year-old boy saved only by fate's hand and a passing fisherman) before loading his two older sons into the family's Dodge Durango and intentionally swerving in front of an oncoming semitrailer slicing his SUV nearly in two on the interstate (killing him and the one son bearing his name). In a suicide letter found in the wreckage, jobless-and-despondent Randall, who led Ivy League in assists as a senior, wrote he wanted to kill himself and his children because he disapproved of how his estranged wife cared for them. Randall, slapped with a restraining order hinging on sordid charges of sexual humiliation and blackmail, had discovered her infidelity by tapping their home's phone. In the late 1990s, he filed for bankruptcy and had bank foreclose on his condominium in Silver Spring, Md., prior to accepting a job with WorldCom before the telecom giant collapsed.

Derrick Riley, Fresno State (Boyd Grant)/Fresno Pacific - Part-time starter for FSU in 1984-85 was convicted of second-degree murder of his wife and unborn child and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. He was accused of suffocating his wife, who was 7 1/2 months pregnant with their second child, after her body was found floating in a Bakersfield area aqueduct in early February 1994. Court papers said there had an argument over his using drugs and theft of a church's cash box.

Aaron Smith, Wyoming (Joby Wright) - Junior college recruit who averaged 5.2 ppg in 1994-95 and 1995-96 was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting a construction worker in back of the head in early August 2005 (victim reportedly owed him about $400 from gambling debt from late 1990s).

Andre Smith, Xavier (Skip Prosser) - Son of Tulsa All-American Bingo Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors say he used a survival tool that included a machete and a saw to kill his Russian teenage friend in May 2004 in his apartment complex. Andre played for the Musketeers in mid-1990s.

Troy Smith, Louisville (Denny Crum) - Regular for three NCAA playoff teams in the early 1990s served one year of a 5-to-25-year prison term for the February 1994 involuntary manslaughter death of the mother of his infant son at her Cincinnati apartment. Police said the couple had been drinking when the woman was "body-slammed" to the floor during an argument, fracturing herskull and dying a few hours later.

Brett Studdard, Wyoming (Benny Dees) - Junior college recruit who averaged 4.3 ppg for the Cowboys in 1991-92 and 1992-93 shot his former girlfriend to death (once in the back and once in head) before committing suicide in the fall of 2003 in Cobb County (Ga.). The altercation occurred two days after a permanent restraining order was issued prohibiting him from contacting the pharmacist.

Johnathan Turner, Ranger Junior College TX (Billy Gillispie) - Arrested for murder in spring of 2014 following an argument with roommate over a video game. He was indicted for manslaughter in summer of 2014 and pleaded guilty in summer of 2015 (sentenced to seven years deferred probation).

Shaun Warrick, Maryland-Eastern Shore (Lawrence Lessett Jr.) - Convicted Valentine's Day killer was sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without parole (plus 16 to 32 years for burglary and firearms charges) in late summer 2015 after a Philadelphia jury deadlocked on whether he should get the death penalty for murdering his ex-girlfriend and her cousin (each shot multiple times). Warrick did not testify in his defense and declined to speak before sentencing. The jury did not hear about Warrick featured in 2007 on America's Most Wanted after accusations of shooting two other students and stabbing a third (acquitted of attempted-murder charges in that case). He had been convicted of a misdemeanor escape charge in summer of 2004 when brought into a police barracks and ended up fleeing. In 2005, he was convicted of illegally possessing a gun on a public street (serial number obliterated) but still competed in 15 games for UMES in 2005-06. In summer of 2008, he was arraigned on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, receiving a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana.

Bobby Washington, Iowa (Sharm Scheuerman) - Paroled less than seven years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder following racially-laced pizza parlor/bar shooting in late summer 1964 using his roommate's .25-caliber handgun. The victim, a drunk father of four children barred from several taverns in town, was shot four times in the chest and neck. "I can't let people disrespect me," said Washington, who averaged 5.3 ppg in 1958-59 and 1959-60 before flunking out and serving stint in U.S. Army.

Kass Weaver, Wisconsin (Steve Yoder)/Richmond (Dick Tarrant and Bill Dooley) - Two-time All-CAA selection was charged in fall of 2021 with allegedly killing his toddler son before stashing the body in a garage freezer for at least 2 1/2 years. His wife told cops that at times he tied her up with an electrical cord and burned her with a curling iron.

Decensae White, Texas Tech (Bob Knight)/Santa Clara (Kerry Keating)/San Francisco State (Paul Trevor) - Arrested on a murder charge as part of an elaborate plot, including a Russian mobster, where a Louisiana rapper (Lil Phat) was killed in a revenge drive-by shooting the summer of 2012 in the parking deck of a hospital as his fiancee was preparing to give birth. White, extradited to Georgia in May 2013 before striking a deal with the prosecution, testified he was the one tracking Lil Phat's movements (after stealing 10 pounds of marijuana) via a GPS device installed in a rented white Audi vehicle. The vagabond hooper averaged 4.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Texas Tech in 2006-07 and 2007-08, 3.4 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 10 games with Santa Clara in 2008-09 and team highs of 12.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg for San Francisco State in 2012-13.

Jayson Williams, St. John's (Lou Carnesecca) - All-Big East Conference second-team selection in 1988-89 pleaded guilty in January 2010 to aggravated assault and served 18 months in prison for accidentally killing a limousine driver in his bedroom. Williams, boasting 25 stitches above his right eye after being charged with drunken driving when crashing his SUV into a tree the previous week, was awaiting retrial on a reckless manslaughter count before pleading guilty to to the lesser count. He had been cleared by jurors in the spring of 2004 of aggravated manslaughter, the most serious charge against him, but was found guilty of four lesser charges. He faced 55 years in prison if convicted on all counts stemming from a February 14, 2002, shooting with a 12-gauge shotgun of a limo driver at his mansion and an alleged attempt to make the death look like a suicide. Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter, but the jury deadlocked on a reckless-manslaughter count. Williams gave the driver's relatives $2.5 million to settle a civil suit. He had been charged in early 1995 with possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and reckless endangerment after firing a handgun at a hubcap on an empty truck lot at local arena. In late April 2009 following his wife filing for divorce claiming he was abusive, adulterous and had a drug problem, Williams was zapped with a stun gun by police in a lower Manhattan hotel suite after the reportedly suicidal athlete resisted attempts by officers to take him to a hospital. The next month, he was charged with assault after allegedly punching a man in the face outside a North Carolina bar, but charges were dropped. In January 2010, Williams was charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his Mercedes into a tree in lower Manhattan (sentenced to an additional year in prison). In early February 2016, Williams was charged with drunken driving after hitting a utility pole along a road in a rural Delaware town, triggering him entering a rehabilitation facility. Part of his daily prison routine was writing "Humbled - Letters From Prison," which described tragedies in his life, including the deaths of his sisters (two from AIDS/one murdered) and being molested by his uncle when he was 10. His two daughters denounced St. John's in fall of 2022 for its decision to induct their father into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. The Williams sisters accused their dad of being a "deadbeat," an alcoholic, failing to provide adequate financial support plus never making amends for emotional and verbal abusiveness.

Oscar Williams Jr., Utah State (Dutch Belnap) - The Aggies' assists leader in multiple categories from his mid-1970s exploits was sentenced to two life prison terms without the possibility of parole for the 1982 shooting death of his wife. Prosecutors contended that he murdered her to collect $220,000 worth of life insurance benefits after he failed in an effort to hire a contract killer. Toy Williams, a 24-year-old model, was shot at least five times in an alley near the couple's Las Vegas apartment after returning from her job at a nearby shopping mall.

Roy Williams, Cleveland State (Kevin Mackey and Mike Boyd) - Junior college recruit was suspended while facing a rape charge stemming from an on-campus incident at a fraternity party involving an honor student in early November 1990. He was questioned by California authorities the previous year about the suspicious death of a Compton College female student, whose body was found in the trunk of her gray Toyota car. Williams, the last person seen with her according to police, initially told investigators the student body vice president and peer counselor overdosed at a San Diego crack house the two had visited. In the spring of 1991, he pleaded innocent to charges of killing two young women and raping and attempting to strangle a third female. An attorney defending him threatened to sue over disclosure that his client was convicted of murder in California in 1981 when he was 14 and reportedly served nearly five years in California youth institutions. In early 1993, Williams pleaded guilty to the two killings.

Erikk Wright Jr., Coppin State commitment (Ron "Fang" Mitchell) - Junior college wing for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2013-14 was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 16 to 32 years in prison as well as five years of consecutive probation following a shooting in spring of 2016 outside a popular nightclub in Chester, Pa. Video evidence reportedly depicted Wright stepping off a curb to shoot the victim in the back as he crawled away for his life.

Chris Yates, Wisconsin-Green Bay (Dick Bennett) - Forward who averaged 3.2 ppg from 1987-88 through 1991-92 was sentenced to 15 years to life behind bars for the stabbing murder of his mother in spring of 2006. Addicted to crack cocaine, he previously was sentenced to five years in prison after found guilty of armed robbery in 1992. Following release from prison, criminal record for Michigan native reportedly included domestic violence and violating a restraining order.

Mark Yavorsky, San Diego (Phil Woolpert) - Backcourtmate of Bernie Bickerstaff for two seasons averaged 8.4 ppg from 1963-64 through 1965-66. In a neighbor's living room, where his mother had sought refuge, Yavorsky stabbed her to death with a three-foot antique saber in June 1979. Found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, a judge ruled him innocent by reason of insanity. In Yavorsky's disturbed mind, the murder was a reenactment of scene from a Greek tragedy in which he had been cast. After his release from a state hospital, he was in and out of custody, at one juncture escaping from a group home in downtown San Diego, taking off on a cross-country foray. The crime inspired a movie entitled My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done.

Military Salute: Veteran All-Americans Serving U.S. With Honor & Distinction

November 9th, 2022 - 9:18

College basketball aficionados occasionally cite achievements they think never will be duplicated. During week including Veterans Day, they should be reminded about truly incredible comebacks likely never to be matched. In 1946-47, Andy Phillip (Illinois) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma) returned to first-team All-American status after missing three seasons while serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Charles Black (Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming) also returned to All-American acclaim after missing two seasons serving in similar capacities. Such significant sacrifice is an off-the-chart achievement worthy of praise in stark contrast to unpatriotic NFL players stemming from #ColonKrapernick-inspired kneeling knuckleheads taking a National Anthem TO or sitting on their sorry butt; NeverTrump protesters donning pink caps or Halloween holdovers affiliated with Antifa toppling historic statues; #BoweKnowsDesertion avoiding jail time; one-sided voting fraud, and the incoherent hunger striker/professional student at Missouri majoring in Extortion 101 six years ago despite enjoying the black privilege of one-percenter father/executive VP for Union Pacific Railroad earning nearly $8.4 million in compensation.

Amid veterans draped in honor, the follow-the-pack press dwelt more several years ago on the cultural idiocy of boycott-threatening Mizzou football players and their "Black Mobs Matter" anarchy-supportive $4.1 million-a-year former coach. But the diaper-donning dissidents and clueless cowering former Democratic governor Jay Nixon flailing around again comparable to the Ferguson fiasco pale in comparison to the honor, dignity and courage exhibited by military veterans. Actually, many Mizzou football fans thought the sheep-like players' subsequent performances show the "entitled" already had quit. What's next in "containing" this rank self-absorbed nonsense from amateur-hour "cry-bullies" annoyed how terrorism carnage in Paris and elsewhere diverted media attention? It was surprising the Tigers' social scholars in solidarity with other professional protesters didn't boycott a game vs. BYU because the Cougars boast an honor code "discriminating" significantly more percentage-wise against African-Americans.

Infinitely more important, numerous truly honorable hoopers had their college playing careers interrupted by WWII; not sensitivity training to handle widdle feelings of self-proclaimed know-it-alls such as Ambassador Yovanowitch and Col. Vindman. For instance, Malcolm "Buck" Pitt Jr., Richmond's leader in scoring average in 1941-42, was skipper of a U.S. Navy landing craft during the Normandy invasion, where he was severely wounded by shrapnel. Elsewhere, Bob Dro served in the U.S. Navy after starting for Indiana's NCAA titlist in 1940 and Denny O'Shea served under General Patton during WWII, surviving the Battle of the Bulge before becoming member of Holy Cross' back-to-back Final Four teams in 1947 and 1948.

A couple of decades later, Al Kroboth, The Citadel's leading rebounder in back-to-back seasons in the late 1960s, was a U.S. Marine Lieutenant POW for nine months during the Vietnam War. Navigator on A-6 plane was shot down on July 7, 1972. He was forced to march barefooted for three months from jungles to prison in Hanoi. Following U.S. air raids, old women would come into local-village huts where he was confined to excrete on him and yank out hunks of his hair. He lost 80 pounds during captivity.

While much of the misguided #MessMedia are egg-faced a year after Plagiarist Bile-dumb's Afghan debacle, even the toy department (sports) should be reminded about authentic American heroes and doing everything possible to implore bureaucrats to continue to improve conditions at many Veterans hospitals. The press puke could focus on the following list of greatest-generation All-Americans - three each from Illinois, Kentucky and Notre Dame - who deserve to be honored, at least for a day amid the snowflake campus whining, after having their college careers interrupted in the mid-1940s while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:

Air Force - Charles Black (Kansas) and Jack Parkinson (Kentucky).

Army - Don Barksdale (UCLA), Lew Beck (Oregon State), A.L. Bennett (Oklahoma A&M), Gale Bishop (Washington State), Vince Boryla (Notre Dame/Denver), Harry Boykoff (St. John's), Bob Brannum (Kentucky), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), Alex Groza (Kentucky), Ralph Hamilton (Indiana), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Allie Paine (Oklahoma), Don Rehfeldt (Wisconsin), Jack Smiley (Illinois), Odie Spears (Western Kentucky) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma).

Marine Corps - Aud Brindley (Dartmouth), John Hargis (Texas), Mickey Marty (Loras IA), Andy Phillip (Illinois), Gene Rock (Southern California) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming).

Navy - Bobby Cook (Wisconsin), Howie Dallmar (Stanford/Penn), Dick Dickey (North Carolina State), Bob Faught (Notre Dame), Harold Gensichen (Western Michigan), Wyndol Gray (Bowling Green State), Hal Haskins (Hamline MN), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 9 NFL Gridiron

November 9th, 2022 - 5:18

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 1980 and 2008):

NOVEMBER 9

  • QB Matt Blundin (Virginia starter most of sophomore season in 1988-89 when averaging 6 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 55.9% from floor) had his lone pass with the Detroit Lions intercepted by the Washington Redskins in 1997.

  • New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning in his third consecutive contest in 2008. Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three TD passes in a 36-31 setback against the Giants.

  • B Junior Boyd (Westminster MO four-sport letterman including hoops) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in 13-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1930.

  • Tennessee Titans rookie WR Tyrone Calico (played one basketball game for Middle Tennessee State in 1998-99) opened game's scoring with a 12-yard touchdown catch from QB Steve McNair in 31-7 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2003.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught three touchdown passes from QB Ron Jaworski in a 34-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980.

  • New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in 41-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored three second-half TDs (one run from scrimmage/two pass receptions).

  • Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 24-6 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes - including two touchdowns - in a 20-19 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2008.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes - including two second-half touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 27-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. Three years later with the Seattle Seahawks, Graham caught two TD passes from Russell Wilson in a 22-16 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 13-12 AAFC win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

  • Philadelphia Eagles E Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1952.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-13 win against the Houston Texans in 2008.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) rushed for a 25-yard touchdown in 7-7 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 51-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1969. Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) returned a punt 55 yards.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 33-27 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1980.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958.

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Frank Manumaleuga (San Jose State hooper in 1978-79) returned an interception 22 yards for touchdown in the fourth quarter of 31-30 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1980.

  • New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) caught a touchdown pass from Phil Simms in 38-35 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980. Giants LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two interceptions.

  • TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened the Baltimore Colts' scoring with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 14-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1969.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 25-0 AAFC win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks and seven tackles in a 17-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2008.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions in a 41-3 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992.

  • In midst of three consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Minnesota Vikings rookie TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) had a 58-yard TD reception in 34-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1980.

  • Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had two first-half touchdown receptions (64 and 72 yards) in a 56-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2014.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 8 NFL Gridiron

November 8th, 2022 - 8:04

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks about NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 8 in football at the professional level (especially 1964):

NOVEMBER 8

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1942.

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 45 yards for touchdown in 24-9 win against the Houston Oilers in 1970.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 52-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981.

  • Kansas City Chiefs WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes - including one for 54 yards - in a 24-21 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 42-7 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1964.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) provided the decisive field goal in final minute of a 9-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1925.

  • Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught six passes for 105 yards in a 13-10 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 1998.

  • New York Yankees rookie E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught three touchdown passes in a 26-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1927.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught nine passes in a 31-24 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 316 yards.

  • San Diego Chargers rookie WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers - including game winner with 18 seconds remaining - in a 21-20 win against the New York Giants in 2009.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-30 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964.

  • Phoenix Cardinals RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1992.

  • Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 14-6 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1931.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes in a 25-23 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1998. Twelve years later with the Cincinnati Bengals, Owens caught two TD passes from Carson Palmer en route to 10 receptions for 141 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2004.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 22-7 AFL win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.

  • Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored game's lone touchdown with a 35-yard pass reception in 7-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.

  • Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had eight pass receptions for a career-high 156 receiving yards in 33-31 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1981.

  • New York Giants LB Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) had an interception in his second straight game in 1964. Fellow LB Lou Slaby (collected two points and two rebounds in two basketball games for Pittsburgh in 1960-61) also had an INT for the Giants, returning it 26 yards, in 42-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. Dolphins QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two fourth-quarter TD passes.

  • HB Ed Sutton (seven hoops games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Joe Walton in fourth quarter to help propel the Washington Redskins to 27-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959.

Versatility Personified: Ex-College Hoopers Go On to Touch All of the Bases

November 8th, 2022 - 8:00

MLB award winners for Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year will be announced next week. Times have changed but it was commonplace for former college basketball players to previously claim a striking number of the awards. In a 20-year span from 1948 to 1968, a total of six MVPs were ex-college hoopers. After the St. Louis Cardinals supplied back-to-back winners in 1954 (Wally Moon) and 1955 (Bill Virdon), seven rookies of year in first nine years of award were ex-college hoopers. Subsequently, sports specialization intervened. In aftermath of both AL and NL rookie of year winners in 1974 coming from small-college hoopdom (Mike Hargrove and Bake McBride), there has been only two honorees since then in this multiple-sport athlete category - Mike Flanagan in 1979 and David Justice in 1990 (only such individual in last 43 years). Following is a summary of MLB major award winners who previously competed on the hardwood in college (listed alphabetically):

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Ex-College Hooper School Summary of MVP Award With MLB Team
Lou Boudreau Illinois AL in 1948 with Cleveland Indians
Gordon "Mickey" Cochrane Boston University AL in 1928 with Philadelphia Athletics and in 1934 with Detroit Tigers
Frankie Frisch Fordham NL in 1931 with St. Louis Cardinals
Bob Gibson Creighton NL in 1968 with St. Louis Cardinals
Hyman "Hank" Greenberg New York University AL in 1935 and 1940 with Detroit Tigers
Dick Groat Duke NL in 1960 with Pittsburgh Pirates
Jim Konstanty Syracuse NL in 1950 with Philadelphia Phillies
Sandy Koufax Cincinnati NL in 1963 with Los Angeles Dodgers
Jackie Robinson UCLA NL in 1949 with Brooklyn Dodgers

CY YOUNG

Ex-College Hooper School Summary of Pitching Award With MLB Team
Mike Flanagan Massachusetts AL in 1979 with Baltimore Orioles
Bob Gibson Creighton NL in 1968 and 1970 with St. Louis Cardinals
Sandy Koufax Cincinnati ML in 1963-65-66 with Los Angeles Dodgers

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Ex-College Hooper School(s) Summary of Rookie Award With MLB Team
Joe Black Morgan State NL in 1952 with Brooklyn Dodgers
Al Bumbry Virginia State AL in 1973 with Baltimore Orioles
Alvin Dark Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana ML in 1948 with Boston Braves
Walt Dropo Connecticut AL in 1950 with Boston Red Sox
Mike Hargrove Northwestern Oklahoma State AL in 1974 with Texas Rangers
Frank Howard Ohio State NL in 1960 with Los Angeles Dodgers
David Justice Thomas More KY NL in 1990 with Atlanta Braves
Harvey Kuenn Wisconsin AL in 1953 with Detroit Tigers
Arnold "Bake" McBride Westminster MO NL in 1974 with St. Louis Cardinals
Wally Moon Texas A&M NL in 1954 with St. Louis Cardinals
Gary Peters Grove City PA AL in 1963 with Chicago White Sox
Jackie Robinson UCLA ML in 1947 with Brooklyn Dodgers
Don Schwall Oklahoma AL in 1961 with Boston Red Sox
Bill Virdon Drury MO NL in 1955 with St. Louis Cardinals

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 7 NFL Gridiron

November 7th, 2022 - 7:08

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 7 in football at the professional level (especially in 1948, 1954 and 1965):

NOVEMBER 7

  • Chicago Bears HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 21-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948.

  • Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 62-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 1954. Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) had three touchdowns - two rushing/one receiving - in a 38-34 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 362 yards (including three TDs to Pete Retzlaff).

  • Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (hooper for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs) returned an interception 10 yards for touchdown in 32-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976.

  • In NFL's inaugural season, Racine Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) returned a punt for the decisive touchdown in 6-3 win against the Chicago Tigers in 1920.

  • Detroit Lions rookie QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two touchdown passes in a 56-20 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught three touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 24-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1976.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 43-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2004.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught nine passes for 123 yards in a 34-31 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.

  • Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in a 31-25 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

  • New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 80-yard TD in 20-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1926.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Ruffin Hamilton (played four basketball games for Tulane in 1992-93 under coach Perry Clark) registered a career-high four solo tackles in 30-7 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Norm Van Brocklin in a 42-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. 49ers rookie RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two TDs.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) had 10 pass receptions in a 13-10 win against the New England Patriots in 1993.

  • Cleveland Browns DE Mack Mitchell (varsity hooper for Houston in 1971-72) opened game's scoring by registering a safety in 21-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1976.

  • Philadelphia Eagles B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a career-high seven passes for 100 yards - including 38-yard touchdown - in 30-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two of his AAFC-high 10 touchdowns - one of them for 68 yards - in a 26-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. Dodgers B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned a punt 70 yards for TD.

  • Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in 28-7 AAFC win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 65-yard rushing touchdown in 35-14 win against the New York Giants in 1948.

  • Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47.2 yards on five punts in a 23-7 win against the New York Giants in 1965. Redskins PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) kicked a career-high three field goals.

  • First NFL touchdown catch for Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) gave the Baltimore Colts a 10-3 victory against the Washington Redskins in 1977.

  • TB Cy Wentworth (New Hampshire hoops letterman in 1922 and 1923) accounted for the Providence Steam Roller's only score by throwing a touchdown pass in 7-6 setback against the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926.

Memory Lane: November Calendar For Record-Setting NCAA Hoops Games

November 6th, 2022 - 7:38

Did You Know?: Rick Barnes (Texas), Gene Bartow (UAB), Bob McKillop (Davidson), Mike Montgomery (Stanford) and Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) incurred defeats in their debuts before eventually becoming the all-time winningest coaches for these schools. As the 2022-23 campaign gets underway, check out the following November calendar citing memorable games in NCAA major-college history:

NOVEMBER

8 - Utah set an NCAA record for largest margin of victory vs. a Division I opponent (94 points) with a 143-49 mauling of Mississippi Valley State in 2019. . . . UMass Lowell's Christian Lutete (51 points at LIU in 2019) and Northeastern's Jordan Roland (42 vs. Harvard in 2019) set school single-game scoring records.
9 - Brad Stevens made his Butler head-coaching debut in 2007 with a 61-45 victory at Ball State before guiding the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament championship game in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011. . . . David Holston (43 points vs. St. Bonaventure at Austin, Tex., in 2006) set Chicago State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Junior Hairston (21 rebounds vs. Loyola Maryland in 2007) set Towson's NCAA Division I single-game rebounding record (subsequently tied).
10 - Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Martaveous McKnight (41 points at Colorado State in 2018) and North Dakota's Geno Crandall (41 vs. Troy at Honolulu in 2017) set school single-game scoring records against NCAA DI opponent.
13 - Rotnei Clarke (51 points vs. Alcorn State in 2009) set Arkansas' single-game scoring record before transferring to Butler. . . . Felipe Haase (41 at Winthrop in 2021) tied Mercer's single-game scoring standard against DI opponent. . . . Gregg Marshall made his Wichita State debut in 2007 with a 61-56 victory vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff before guiding the Shockers to 2013 Final Four and becoming national COY in 2014. . . . Siena's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Vermont (80-76 in 2010). . . . Shaka Smart made his Virginia Commonwealth coaching debut in 2009 with a 77-51 triumph vs. Bethune-Cookman before directing the Rams to 2011 Final Four.
14 - Robert Morris' Josh Williams tied NCAA single-game record with 15 three-pointers in a 104-57 victory against Mount Aloysius PA in 2018, finishing with a school-record 49 points. . . . Jamie Dixon made his Pittsburgh coaching debut in 2003 with a 71-62 triumph vs. Alabama in New York before becoming national COY in 2009. . . . Larry Eustachy made his Idaho debut in 1990 with an 88-54 victory vs. Simon Fraser before becoming national COY with Iowa State in 2000 and the first coach in NCAA history to compile at least 24 wins in a single season with five different DI schools. . . . Bill Guthridge made his North Carolina debut in 1997 with an 84-56 success vs. Middle Tennessee State en route to becoming the winningest first-year coach in NCAA history and national COY.
15 - Furman's Jordan Lyons tied NCAA single-game record with 15 three-pointers and set NCAA mark for most attempts beyond the arc (34) in a 107-67 victory against North Greenville in 2018.
16 - Al Skinner made his Boston College debut in 1997 with an 87-54 victory vs. Central Connecticut State before going on to become the Eagles' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2001.
17 - Rick Barnes made his Texas debut in 1998 with a 71-69 reversal at Houston before going on to become the Longhorns' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bo Ryan made his Wisconsin debut in 2001 with a 74-69 defeat at UNLV before going on to become the Badgers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Florida's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Miami FL (69-67 in 2014).
18 - Mike Brey made his Notre Dame coaching debut in 2000 with a 104-58 rout of Sacred Heart before becoming national COY in 2011. . . . Jim Larranaga made his George Mason debut in 1997 with a 78-72 victory at Howard University before going on to become the Patriots' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to 2006 Final Four.
19 - Frank Kaminsky (43 points vs. North Dakota in 2013) set Wisconsin's modern-era single-game scoring record.
20 - Okechi Egbe (44 points vs. Bethel in 2000) set Tennessee-Martin's single-game scoring record at NCAA Division I level. . . . Tom Izzo made his Michigan State debut in 1995 with a 69-66 triumph at Chaminade en route to becoming the Spartans' all-time winningest coach. . . . Chicago product Ben Wilson, entering his senior season generally regarded as the nation's premier prospect because of Magic Johnson-like skills, was shot within a block of high school campus and died the next day after bumping into two gang members in 1984 while walking down the street following lunch break.
21 - Nick Davis (23 rebounds vs. Jackson State in 1997) set Arkansas' single-game rebounding record. . . . Mark Few made his Gonzaga debut in 1999 with a 76-61 triumph at Montana en route to becoming the Zags' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bill Self made his Kansas coaching debut in 2003 with a 90-76 victory vs. Chattanooga before guiding the Jayhawks to two NCAA Tournament championships (2008 and 2022). . . . Jay Wright made his Villanova coaching debut in 2001 with an 82-68 victory vs. Grambling State before twice becoming national COY (2006 and 2016) plus guiding the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournament titles (2016 and 2018).
22 - Billy Donovan made his Florida debut in 1996 with an 80-63 triumph vs. UCF en route to becoming the Gators' all-time winningest coach. . . . Scott Drew made his Baylor debut in 2003 with a 72-59 success vs. Texas Southern en route to becoming the Bears' all-time winningest coach. . . . Kevin Martin (46 points vs. Coastal Carolina in 2002) set Western Carolina's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Bruce Weber made his Illinois coaching debut in 2003 with a 94-66 victory vs. Western Illinois before becoming national COY in 2005 when guiding the Illini to the NCAA Tournament championship game.
23 - Kevin Stallings made his Vanderbilt debut in 1999 with a 72-55 triumph over Belmont en route to becoming the Commodores' all-time winningest coach.
24 - Gene Bartow made his UAB debut in 1978 with a 64-55 defeat against Nebraska before becoming the Blazers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Steve Fisher made his San Diego State debut in 1999 with a 73-57 victory vs. UC Riverside en route to becoming the Aztecs' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2011. . . . Nolan Richardson Jr. made his Arkansas debut in 1985 with an 86-72 triumph over Southern Illinois en route to becoming the Razorbacks' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to 1994 NCAA championship.
25 - Kevin Franklin (48 points at Loyola Marymount in 1989) set Nevada's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Louisiana Tech's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Stephen F. Austin (67-58) in 1985. . . . Steve Alford made his Southwest Missouri State coaching debut in 1995 with an 83-71 win against Texas-Pan American en route to guiding four different DI schools to the NCAA playoffs. . . . Lute Olson made his Arizona debut in 1983 with a 72-65 triumph over Northern Arizona en route to becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob Huggins made his Cincinnati debut in 1989 with a 66-64 triumph over Minnesota en route to becoming the Bearcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Gale Catlett made his West Virginia debut in 1978 with an 86-66 triumph over Rider en route to becoming the Mountaineers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob McKillop made his Davidson debut in 1989 with an 84-65 setback at Wake Forest before becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach and earning national COY acclaim in 2008. . . . Roy Williams made his Kansas coaching debut in 1988 with a 94-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage before becoming four-time national COY. . . . Eventual national player of year Tim Duncan went scoreless in his Wake Forest debut, a 70-68 loss at NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993.
26 - Dana Altman made his Creighton debut in 1994 with a 68-61 win at Oral Roberts en route to becoming the Bluejays' all-time winningest coach. . . . Dave Bliss made his New Mexico debut in 1988 with a 96-71 success vs. Loyola (Md.) en route to becoming the Lobos' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Boeheim made his Syracuse coaching debut in 1976 with a 75-48 triumph over Harvard en route to setting the NCAA career record for most victories for a single school. . . . Larry Brown made his Kansas coaching debut in 1983 with a 91-76 reversal at Houston before guiding the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title when named national COY. . . . John Calipari made his Massachusetts coaching debut in 1988 with an 84-61 success vs. Southern Connecticut before directing the Minutemen and two more schools to Final Four. . . . In his freshman debut, Rudy Macklin (32 rebounds vs. Tulane in 1976) set Louisiana State's single-game rebounding record. By contrast, eventual national player of year David Robinson went scoreless with only one rebound for Navy in his first game against a DI opponent (Yale in 1983). . . . Kelvin Sampson made his Oklahoma coaching debut in 1994 with an 85-74 victory vs. Coppin State before becoming a two-time national COY with the Sooners. . . . . Bill Self made his ORU debut in 1993 with a 78-66 win vs. Sam Houston State before becoming the only coach in NCAA history to reach a Division I Tournament regional final in back-to-back years with different schools. . . . Tubby Smith made his Tulsa debut in 1991 with a 94-81 setback at TCU before becoming the only coach to take three consecutive teams seeded sixth or worse to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA playoffs and earn national COY acclaim with Kentucky in 2003.
27 - Jacksonville State's Jalen Gibbs (40 points at Elon in 2021), Samford's Demetrius Denzel-Dyson (40 vs. Nicholls State in 2OT in 2016) and Valparaiso's Brandon Wood (39 at Georgia Southern in 2009/subsequently tied) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . P.J. Carlesimo made his Seton Hall coaching debut in 1982 with an 87-63 victory vs. St. Anselm (N.H.) before directing the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 1989 when he was named national COY. . . . Lon Kruger made his Texas-Pan American debut in 1982 with a 66-58 setback vs. Louisiana Tech before becoming the first coach to direct five different schools to Top 20 of a final wire-service poll. . . . John Thompson Jr. made his Georgetown debut in 1972 with a 61-60 triumph over St. Francis (Pa.) en route to a school-record 596 victories with the Hoyas. . . . Alvan Adams (28 vs. Indiana State in 1972) set Oklahoma's single-game rebounding record.
28 - Tom Davis made his Iowa debut in 1986 with a 91-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage en route to becoming the Hawkeyes' all-time winningest coach. . . . Lou Henson made his Illinois debut in 1975 with a 60-58 triumph at Nebraska en route to becoming the Illini's all-time winningest coach. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Army head coaching debut in 1975 with a 56-29 victory over Lehigh before becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA DI history with Duke. . . . Mike Montgomery made his Stanford debut in 1986 with a 67-65 defeat against Georgia Tech at Richmond before becoming the Cardinal's all-time winningest coach.
29 - The three-point goal was an experimental rule in the Southern Conference in 1980 when Western Carolina's Ronnie Carr made the first three-pointer in history at Reid Gymnasium vs. Middle Tennessee State. . . . Craig Bradshaw (42 points at Ohio University in 2014) set Belmont's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Alan Williams (39 vs. South Dakota State in 2013) tied UC Santa Barbara's single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Duke debut in 1980 with a 67-49 triumph over Stetson en route to becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA DI history. . . . Jim Calhoun made his Connecticut debut in 1986 with a 58-54 triumph over Massachusetts en route to becoming the Huskies' all-time winningest coach and capturing three NCAA Tournament titles. . . . Cliff Ellis made his South Alabama debut with an 82-68 defeat vs. Centenary before becoming the only coach in the 20th Century to hold three school single-season records with at least 25 victories at the same time. . . . Billy Tubbs made his Lamar head coaching debut in 1976 with an 80-73 triumph over Houston Baptist en route to more than 600 victories with three NCAA DI schools. . . . Gene Keady made his Purdue debut in 1980 with a 72-59 triumph over Colorado State en route to becoming the Boilermakers' all-time winningest coach.
30 - Dartmouth set an NCAA single-game record by having nine different players contribute at least one three-point basket vs. Boston College in 1993. . . . John Chaney made his Temple debut in 1982 with a 68-67 triumph at George Washington en route to becoming the Owls' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bobby Cremins made his Georgia Tech debut in 1981 with an 82-66 triumph against Presbyterian (S.C.) en route to becoming the Yellow Jackets' all-time winningest coach. . . . Tom Penders made his Columbia debut in 1974 with a 90-79 setback against CCNY en route to 594 victories coaching six NCAA DI schools.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 6 NFL Gridiron

November 6th, 2022 - 7:29

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 6 in football at the professional level (especially in 1977 and 2005):

NOVEMBER 6

  • Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) rushed for two touchdowns (9 and 20 yards) in a 19-6 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 28-7 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1977.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Clyde Conner (two-time All-CBA second-team selection averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Pacific in 1953-54 and 1954-55) tied his career high with nine pass receptions in a 24-0 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1960.

  • Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught eight passes for 161 yards in a 45-28 AFL setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught seven passes for 97 yards in a 24-14 win against the New England Patriots in 1977.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught eight passes for 132 yards in a 31-26 win against the New York Jets in 2005.

  • Boston Patriots WR Art Graham (collected one point and three rebounds in two basketball games with Boston College in 1961-62) registered an AFL career-high 167 receiving yards (on eight catches) in a 25-24 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964.

  • Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 45-25 win against the Denver Broncos in 1960. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 92 pass receptions.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 38-24 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 141 yards - including three touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 34-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2011.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted eight times for 46.9-yard average in a 24-10 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1977.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 2005.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 16-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1929.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke hoops letterman in 1945) threw a career-long 55-yard touchdown pass in 35-2 AAFC win against the Chicago Hornets in 1949.

  • Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 33-7 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Kay McFarland (three-year hoops letterman for Colorado State was honorable mention UPI All-Skyline Conference selection in 1961) had a career-high four pass receptions for 89 yards in 21-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 304 yards in a 17-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 2005.

  • WR Jordan Norwood (collected one rebound and one assist in four basketball games for Penn State in 2006-07) accounted for the Denver Broncos' first score with a 36-yard touchdown reception in 30-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2016.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 34-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005.

  • New York Bulldogs E Hal Prescott (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman multiple seasons in early 1940s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in 31-24 win against the New York Giants in 1949. Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 67 yards for TD.

  • Cleveland Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1955.

  • TE Oscar Roan (averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Southern Methodist in 1973-74) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a pass reception from Brian Sipe in 10-7 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1977.

  • Detroit Lions WR Scottie Vines (collected 32 points and 22 rebounds in 17 games for Wyoming in 2000-01) had career highs of nine pass receptions and 109 receiving yards in a 27-14 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2005.

  • Cincinnati Bengals DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) opened the Cincinnati Bengals' scoring by securing a safety in 20-17 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1994.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 5 NFL Gridiron

November 5th, 2022 - 7:56

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks about NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 5 in football at the professional level (especially in 1950):

NOVEMBER 5

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) posted a career-high eight pass receptions in 23-16 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1978.

  • New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two first-half touchdown passes (30 and 50 yards) in a 45-6 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1929.

  • Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on 17-yard interception return in 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2006. Six years earlier, Gonzalez caught nine passes in a 49-31 reversal against the Oakland Raiders in his fourth consecutive contest with at least 100 receiving yards in 2000. Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two second-half TD passes from Rich Gannon after Raiders WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two first-half TD passes.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) scored three touchdowns - including 80-yard pass reception - in a 55-14 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1961.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted four times for 51.8-yard average in 20-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three of his league-high 19 touchdown passes in a 35-17 win against the New York Jets in 1972.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) rushed for two 15-yard fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1950 after Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two first-half TDs.

  • New York Giants rookie WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) opened game's scoring with a 36-yard touchdown catch in 24-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1950. McChesney finished contest with career-high four pass receptions.

  • Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned an interception 45 yards for touchdown in 41-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950.

  • Detroit Lions HB Kent "Rip" Ryan (two-time All-Rocky Mountain first-team choice for Utah State averaged 8.1 ppg in league play in 1933-34, 9.9 ppg in 1934-35, 9.3 ppg in 1935-36 and 7.6 ppg in 1936-37) scored go-ahead touchdown in fourth quarter with a six-yard pass reception in 18-14 win against the New York Giants in 1939. B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hooper) opened the Giants' scoring with a 47-yard TD pass to Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s).

  • New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor letterman in 1956) had three touchdown receptions in a 53-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) had 10 pass receptions - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-28 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2001.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1967.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 20 yards for touchdown in 31-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 2006.

  • Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1955.

  • Minnesota Vikings CB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) had an interception and returned four punts for 57 yards in 37-6 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Saints WR Creston Whitaker (North Texas State guard led MVC in field-goal shooting as junior in 1968-69 when averaging 20 ppg and 6 rpg) notched his lone NFL pass reception (five-yard catch).

Starting Block: What's Ahead for Multiple Newcomers at NCAA DI Level?

November 5th, 2022 - 7:47

Three years ago, Merrimack (2019-20) joined South Dakota (2008-09) as the only NCAA Division I newcomers in the last 34 seasons to reach the 20-win plateau in its inaugural campaign. How will newbies Lindenwood (Mo.), Queens (N.C.), Southern Indiana, Stonehill (Mass.) and Texas A&M-Commerce fare this campaign in their inaugural campaign at DI level?

Only 10 of the first 45 schools moving up to compete at DI in the 21st Century posted a winning record in their debut campaign. The average first-year mark for the previous 41 newcomers was 10-18. Eight of the nine best first-year seasons occurred in the 1970s when 40 of the 70 institutions elevating their programs to DI during the decade promptly posted winning records.

In 1971-72, Southwestern Louisiana, subsequently known as Louisiana-Lafayette and University of Louisiana, became the only school ever to finish in Top 10 of final DI rankings the year after placing in Top 10 of final Division II poll. The Ragin' Cajuns were one of three schools from the Pelican State to win at least 80% of their games in inaugural campaign at DI level in the 1970s (joined by Southern and McNeese State). But it wasn't long before USL was prohibited from fielding a formal team for two seasons (1973-74 and 1974-75) as part of an NCAA probation. Larry Fogle (transferred to Canisius), Fred Saunders (Syracuse) and Robert Wilson (Iowa State) - three of USL's top four rebounders in 1972-73 - were immediately eligible at other schools the next season, combining for 59.4 ppg and 32.6 rpg in 1973-74 when Fogle became the last sophomore to lead nation in scoring in the 20th Century (Griffs-record 33.4 ppg).

Alabama State (22-6 in 1982-83) is the only school since the 1970s to win more than three-fourths of its games in its DI debut campaign. Following is a first-year summary of schools moving up to the major-college ranks after the initial season of NCAA classification in 1947-48:

School Moving Up to DI Season W. L. Pct.
Maryland-Eastern Shore 1973-74 27 2 .931
Oral Roberts (Okla.) 1971-72 26 2 .929
Southwestern Louisiana 1971-72 23 3 .885
Seattle 1952-53 29 4 .879
Old Dominion (Va.) 1976-77 25 4 .862
Long Beach State 1969-70 24 5 .828
Hawaii 1970-71 23 5 .821
Southern (La.) 1977-78 23 5 .821
McNeese State (La.) 1973-74 20 5 .800
Jackson State (Miss.) 1977-78 19 5 .792
Alabama State 1982-83 22 6 .786
Alcorn State (Miss.) 1977-78 22 7 .759
Idaho State 1958-59 21 7 .750
Memphis State 1955-56 20 7 .741
Air Force 1957-58 17 6 .739
Stephen F. Austin (Tex.) 1986-87 22 8 .733
Georgia Southern 1973-74 19 7 .731
Northeastern (Mass.) 1972-73 19 7 .731
Virginia Commonwealth 1973-74 17 7 .708
College of Charleston (S.C.) 1991-92 19 8 .704
Miami (Fla.) 1948-49 19 8 .704
New Orleans 1975-76 18 8 .692
South Dakota 2008-09 20 9 .690
George Mason (Va.) 1978-79 17 8 .680
Weber State (Utah) 1963-64 17 8 .680
American (D.C.) 1966-67 16 8 .667
Fairfield (Conn.) 1964-65 14 7 .667
Florida A&M 1978-79 18 9 .667
Mercer (Ga.) 1973-74 16 8 .667
Tennessee Tech 1955-56 14 7 .667
Morehead State (Ky.) 1955-56 19 10 .655
James Madison (Va.) 1976-77 17 9 .654
Northwestern State (La.) 1976-77 17 9 .654
UNLV 1969-70 17 9 .654
Merrimack (Mass.) 2019-20 20 11 .645
Bellarmine (Tenn.) 2020-21 14 8 .636
Abilene Christian (Tex.) 1970-71 15 9 .625
Arkansas State 1970-71 15 9 .625
Drexel (Pa.) 1973-74 15 9 .625
Lamar (Tex.) 1969-70 15 9 .625
Massachusetts 1961-62 15 9 .625
Northern Colorado 1973-74 15 9 .625
UC Santa Barbara 1963-64 18 11 .621
Incarnate Word (Tex.) 2014-15 18 11 .621
Delaware State 1973-74 18 11 .621
Illinois State 1971-72 16 10 .615
North Carolina A&T 1973-74 16 10 .615
UNC-Wilmington 1976-77 16 10 .615
Northeast Louisiana 1973-74 16 10 .615
Texas Southern 1977-78 16 10 .615
Austin Peay (Tenn.) 1963-64 14 9 .609
Southern Mississippi 1968-69 15 10 .600
Chattanooga 1977-78 16 11 .593
Chicago State 1984-85 16 11 .593
Wright State (Ohio) 1987-88 16 11 .593
Loyola New Orleans (La.) 1951-52 20 14 .588
Los Angeles State 1970-71 15 11 .577
UNC Asheville 1986-87 15 11 .577
San Jose State 1952-53 15 11 .577
UAB 1978-79 15 11 .577
New Mexico State 1950-51 19 14 .576
Kentucky Wesleyan 1956-57 16 12 .571
North Dakota 2008-09 16 12 .571
North Dakota State 2005-06 16 12 .571
Radford (Va.) 1984-85 16 12 .571
Sam Houston State (Tex.) 1986-87 16 12 .571
Utah Valley 2004-05 16 12 .571
East Tennessee State 1958-59 13 10 .565
East Carolina 1964-65 12 10 .545
Cal State Fullerton 1974-75 13 11 .542
New Mexico 1950-51 13 11 .542
Southern Illinois 1967-68 13 11 .542
Boise State (Idaho) 1971-72 14 12 .538
Central Michigan 1973-74 14 12 .538
UNC Charlotte 1972-73 14 12 .538
West Texas State 1950-51 14 12 .538
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1973-74 14 12 .538
Oklahoma City 1950-51 16 14 .533
Iona (N.Y.) 1953-54 11 10 .524
Corpus Christi (Tex.) 1972-73 13 12 .520
Belmont (Tenn.) 1998-99 14 13 .519
Eastern Illinois 1981-82 14 13 .519
Illinois-Chicago 1981-82 14 13 .519
Southeastern Louisiana 1980-81 14 13 .519
Western Illinois 1981-82 14 13 .519
Wisconsin-Green Bay 1981-82 14 13 .519
Cal State Bakersfield 2006-07 15 14 .517
Gonzaga (Wash.) 1952-53 15 14 .517
California Baptist 2018-19 16 15 .516
Catholic (D.C.) 1976-77 13 13 .500
Centenary (La.) 1959-60 12 12 .500
Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 2013-14 15 15 .500
Saint Peter's (N.J.) 1964-65 10 10 .500
Tarleton State (Tex.) 2020-21 10 10 .500
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1999-00 13 13 .500
Texas Tech 1950-51 14 14 .500
Vermont 1961-62 12 12 .500
Murray State (Ky.) 1953-54 15 16 .484
Troy State (Ala.) 1993-94 13 14 .481
Hofstra (N.Y.) 1966-67 12 13 .480
Tennessee State 1977-78 11 12 .478
Regis (Colo.) 1961-62 10 11 .476
Bethune-Cookman (Fla.) 1980-81 13 15 .464
Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) 1950-51 13 15 .464
South Carolina State 1973-74 13 15 .464
Southwest Missouri State 1982-83 13 15 .464
Marist (N.Y.) 1981-82 12 14 .462
San Diego State 1970-71 12 14 .462
Maine 1961-62 11 13 .458
Fairleigh Dickinson (N.J.) 1967-68 10 12 .455
Mount St. Mary's (Md.) 1988-89 12 15 .444
Oakland (Mich.) 1998-99 12 15 .444
South Florida 1973-74 11 14 .440
Coastal Carolina (S.C.) 1986-87 12 16 .429
Maryland-Baltimore County 1986-87 12 16 .429
Southeast Missouri State 1991-92 12 16 .429
Howard University (D.C.) 1973-74 11 15 .423
West Chester State (Pa.) 1973-74 11 15 .423
Grambling State (La.) 1977-78 10 14 .417
Northern Illinois 1967-68 10 14 .417
Saint Francis (Pa.) 1955-56 10 14 .417
Kennesaw State (Ga.) 2005-06 12 17 .414
UC San Diego 2020-21 7 10 .412
Elon (N.C.) 1998-99 11 16 .407
IUPUI (Ind.) 1998-99 11 16 .407
Northern Kentucky 2012-13 11 16 .407
Delaware 1957-58 8 12 .400
Texas-El Paso 1950-51 10 15 .400
Albany (N.Y.) 1999-00 11 17 .393
UC Davis 2004-05 11 17 .393
Houston 1950-51 11 17 .393
Cleveland State 1972-73 9 14 .391
High Point (N.C.) 1998-99 10 16 .385
Dixie State/Utah Tech 2020-21 8 13 .381
Louisiana Tech 1973-74 8 13 .381
Ball State (Ind.) 1971-72 9 15 .375
Campbell (N.C.) 1977-78 9 15 .375
Rider (N.J.) 1967-68 9 15 .375
Alabama A&M 1998-99 10 17 .370
Coppin State (Md.) 1985-86 10 17 .370
Jacksonville State (Ala.) 1995-96 10 17 .370
Liberty (Va.) 1988-89 10 17 .370
Central Florida 1984-85 10 18 .357
UMass Lowell 2013-14 10 18 .357
Southern Utah 1988-89 10 18 .357
Nebraska-Omaha 2012-13 11 20 .355
Florida State 1956-57 9 17 .346
Fresno State 1955-56 9 17 .346
Hampton (Va.) 1995-96 9 17 .346
Loyola Marymount (Calif.) 1949-50 9 17 .346
Middle Tennessee State 1958-59 9 17 .346
Pacific (Calif.) 1953-54 9 17 .346
Towson State (Md.) 1979-80 9 17 .346
Central Arkansas 2006-07 10 20 .333
Missouri-Kansas City 1987-88 9 18 .333
Quinnipiac (Conn.) 1998-99 9 18 .333
SIU-Edwardsville 2008-09 10 20 .333
St. Thomas (Minn.) 2021-22 10 20 .333
U.S. International (Calif.) 1981-82 9 18 .333
Western Carolina 1976-77 8 16 .333
Florida Gulf Coast 2007-08 10 21 .323
Binghamton (N.Y.) 2001-02 9 19 .321
Florida International 1987-88 9 19 .321
Portland State 1972-73 9 19 .321
UC Irvine 1977-78 8 17 .320
UC Riverside 2000-01 8 17 .320
Jacksonville (Fla.) 1966-67 8 17 .320
Texas-Pan American 1968-69 8 17 .320
Portland 1953-54 6 13 .316
North Alabama 2018-19 10 22 .312
South Dakota State 2005-06 9 20 .310
Eastern Michigan 1973-74 8 18 .308
Texas-Arlington 1968-69 8 18 .308
Arizona State 1950-51 8 19 .296
Northern Arizona 1950-51 8 19 .296
Northern Iowa 1980-81 8 19 .296
Texas-San Antonio 1981-82 8 19 .296
South Alabama 1971-72 7 17 .292
Augusta (Ga.) 1984-85 8 20 .286
Cal State Northridge 1990-91 8 20 .286
Winthrop (S.C.) 1986-87 8 20 .286
Central Connecticut State 1986-87 8 21 .276
Bryant (R.I.) 2001-02 7 19 .269
Providence 1948-49 7 19 .269
Robert Morris (Pa.) 1976-77 7 19 .269
Tennessee-Martin 1992-93 7 19 .269
Evansville (Ind.)* 1977-78 1 3 .250
Hartford (Conn.) 1984-85 7 21 .250
IU PU-Fort Wayne (Ind.) 2001-02 7 21 .250
UNC-Greensboro 1991-92 7 21 .250
Houston Baptist 1973-74 6 19 .240
Trinity (Tex.) 1970-71 5 16 .238
South Carolina Upstate 2007-08 7 23 .233
Arkansas-Little Rock 1978-79 6 20 .231
Southwest Texas State 1984-85 6 20 .231
Stetson (Fla.) 1971-72 6 20 .231
Lipscomb (Tenn.) 2001-02 6 21 .222
Monmouth (N.J.) 1983-84 6 21 .222
Norfolk State (Va.) 1997-98 6 21 .222
Armstrong State (Ga.) 1986-87 6 22 .214
Nicholls State (La.) 1980-81 6 22 .214
North Florida 2005-06 6 22 .214
Stony Brook (N.Y.) 1999-00 6 23 .207
Appalachian State (N.C.) 1973-74 5 20 .200
Baptist (S.C.) 1974-75 4 16 .200
Buffalo 1973-74 5 20 .200
Samford (Ala.) 1972-73 5 20 .200
San Diego 1979-80 5 20 .200
Longwood (Va.) 2003-04 5 22 .185
Gardner-Webb (N.C.) 2002-03 5 24 .172
New Jersey Institute of Tech 2006-07 5 24 .172
Winston-Salem State (N.C.) 2006-07 5 24 .172
Presbyterian (S.C.) 2007-08 5 25 .167
Baltimore 1978-79 4 21 .160
Savannah State (Ga.) 2000-01 4 21 .160
Eastern Washington 1983-84 4 22 .154
Utica (N.Y.) 1981-82 4 22 .154
Wofford (S.C.) 1995-96 4 22 .154
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1997-98 4 23 .148
Cal State Sacramento 1991-92 4 24 .143
North Texas State 1957-58 3 18 .143
North Carolina Central 2007-08 4 26 .133
New Hampshire 1961-62 3 20 .130
Wagner (N.Y.) 1976-77 3 21 .125
Florida Atlantic 1993-94 3 24 .111
Mississippi Valley State 1979-80 3 24 .111
Morgan State (Md.) 1984-85 3 25 .107
Sacred Heart (Conn.) 1999-00 3 25 .107
Prairie View A&M (Tex.) 1980-81 2 22 .083
Pepperdine (Calif.) 1955-56 2 24 .077
Northeastern Illinois 1990-91 2 25 .074
Georgia State 1973-74 1 25 .038
Cal Poly 1994-95 1 26 .037

*Evansville had an abbreviated schedule because of tragic plane crash.

Pages

Subscribe to Front page feed