On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle February 4 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 player Tony Dungy making a name for himself on February 4 in football at the professional level:

FEBRUARY 4

  • Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under bench boss Bill Musselman) coached the Indianapolis Colts to a 29-17 win against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI following 2006 season.

Worst of Times: Hoyas Humbled By Longest Losing Streak in School History

Patrick Ewing was unable to come anywhere close to duplicating as coach his All-American success with Georgetown in the mid-1980s. In fact, the Hoyas set an all-time school record of 21 defeats after bowing in Big East Conference Tournament (only four of setbacks by fewer than seven points). At least they didn't match or surpass the all-time longest losing streak by a current power-conference member - 27 by Syracuse in the early 1960s. Ewing's longest losing streak while manning the middle four seasons for GU was three setbacks in a row midway through his freshman season in 1981-82 (at Syracuse/home game vs. Connecticut/at Providence).

Jim O'Brien was the only individual to coach two current power-league members (Boston College and Ohio State) when they incurred their longest existing losing streak until BC dropped 20 in a row extending to the opener several seasons ago. Former Big East Conference rival Rutgers incurred 15 consecutive reversals to end the 2014-15 season before St. John's bowed in 16 straight decisions in 2015-16. Mizzou wasn't the only Tigers' program in SEC sidelined by tranquilizing-inducing losing streak. LSU dropped 15 consecutive contests when former Tigers coach Johnny Jones frequently looked as strategically befuddled as a chief recruiter losing a satchel full of cash on a recruiting trip. Miserable season two years ago for North Carolina (14-19) included seven straight ACC setbacks en route to registering 12 reversals in a 14-game span. But at least the Tar Heels didn't set a school standard for most defeats in a row. Utah also set a new mark for futility this month, leaving the following list of elite basketball schools such as Creighton, Duke, Iowa, Kentucky, Carolina, Purdue, UNLV and West Virginia never reaching double figures in consecutive setbacks:

School (Longest Losing Streak) Coach(es) Date Started Date Ended Opponent Ending Streak Score
Arizona (16) Fred Enke 12-19-58 2-14-59 Hardin-Simmons 66-64
Arizona State (15) Herb Sendek 12-22-2006 2-18-2007 Southern California 68-58
Arkansas (10) Lanny Van Eman 1-9-71 2-20-71 at Texas 88-87 in OT
Auburn (13) V.J. Edney 12-13-46 2-8-47 Florida 36-30
Baylor (17) Harry Miller 1-2-99 11-20-99 Eastern Washington 68-61
Boston College (20) Jim Christian 1-2-2016 11-15-2016 Maryland-Eastern Shore 73-57
Brigham Young (21) Roger Reid/Tony Ingle 12-13-96 11-14-97 at San Diego State 73-59
Butler (14) Joe Sexson 1-31-81 12-12-81 Valparaiso 85-76
California (16) Wyking Jones 12-29-2018 2-28-2019 Washington 76-73
Cincinnati (10) Mick Cronin 1-24-2007 2-28-2007 Seton Hall 70-67 in OT
Clemson (15) Banks McFadden 12-14-54 2-21-55 Georgia 105-94
Colorado (17) Tom Apke 1-8-86 11-28-86 Weber State 73-57
Connecticut (10) John Donahue 1918 1919 Boston College 46-27
Connecticut (10) Burr Carlson 11-30-68 1-8-69 Syracuse 103-84
Creighton (9) Dana Altman 1-23-95 2-23-95 at Wichita State 50-47
Creighton (9) Greg McDermott 12-21-2014 1-28-2015 St. John's 77-74
DePaul (18) Jerry Wainwright 12-31-2008 3-10-2009 Cincinnati 67-57 in Big East Tournament
Duke (8) James Baldwin 2-13-22 3-?-22 Durham YMCA 37-26
Florida (14) Don DeVoe 1-17-90 2-27-90 Louisiana State 76-63
Florida State (13) Don Loucks 1-10-48 2-21-48 Florida Southern 55-48
Georgetown (21) Patrick Ewing 12-18-21 TBD TBD TBD
Georgia (13) Harbin "Red" Lawson 12-28-51 2-6-52 Georgia Tech 72-64
Georgia Tech (26) John "Whack" Hyder 2-7-53 2-18-54 South Carolina 58-53
Gonzaga (10) Dan Fitzgerald 1-19-90 2-23-90 at San Francisco 76-75
Illinois (11) Harv Schmidt 1-12-74 2-23-74 Iowa 91-84
Indiana (11) Harry Good 1-8-44 2-19-44 at Minnesota 48-47
Indiana (11) Tom Crean 1-24-2010 3-6-2010 Northwestern 88-80 in OT
Iowa (8) Rollie Williams 2-15-30 12-23-30 at Creighton 28-22
Iowa (8) Dick Schultz 1-7-74 2-11-74 Purdue 112-111 in 3OT
Iowa State (14) Louis Menze 1-2-37 12-3-37 Simpson IA 41-37
Kansas (10) Phog Allen 1-21-48 3-12-48 Iowa State 61-54
Kansas State (15) E.C. Curtiss 2-28-22 2-17-23 at Nebraska 17-14
Kentucky (9) George Buchheit 1-25-23 2-23-23 Sewanee TN 30-14
Louisiana State (15) Johnny Jones 1-7-2017 3-1-2017 Tennessee 92-82
Louisville (19) Laurie Apitz 2-18-39 2-22-40 Berea TN 56-55
Marquette (15) Eddie Hickey 1-8-64 3-7-64 at Xavier 98-95
Maryland (22) Howard Shipley 3-1-40 2-22-41 Washington College MD 26-18
Memphis (20) Zach Curlin 1-7-38 1-26-39 Arkansas State 53-45
Miami FL (17) Leonard Hamilton 1-8-94 11-25-94 Northeastern Illinois 66-48
Michigan (11) Bill Frieder 12-12-81 1-28-82 Ohio State 62-60 in OT
Michigan State (11) Forddy Anderson 1-9-65 3-1-65 Purdue 110-92
Minnesota (17) Clem Haskins 1-10-87 11-30-87 Western Illinois 84-52
Mississippi (16) Robert "Cob" Jarvis 12-30-75 3-1-76 Vanderbilt 81-72
Mississippi State (14) Paul Gregory 1-7-55 2-26-55 at Louisiana State 84-80
Missouri (13) Kim Anderson 1-10-2015 2-24-2015 Florida 64-52
Missouri (13) Kim Anderson 12-10-2016 2-4-2017 Arkansas 83-78
Nebraska (17) Fred Hoiberg 1-11-2020 11-25-20 McNeese State 102-55
North Carolina (8) Tom Scott 12-20-50 1-11-51 Wake Forest 65-56
North Carolina State (9) Les Robinson 1-25-92 2-22-92 at North Carolina 99-94
North Carolina State (9) Sidney Lowe 2-9-2008 11-15-2008 at New Orleans 65-59
Northwestern (20) Maury Kent 3-3-23 12-22-24 Michigan State 26-17
Notre Dame (13) Johnny Dee 12-18-65 2-9-66 Butler 84-61
Ohio State (17) Jim O'Brien 12-28-97 2-25-98 at Wisconsin 61-56
Oklahoma (10) Bob Stevens 1-6-64 2-21-64 Missouri 86-84
Oklahoma State (13) James Pixlee 1-24-20 1-14-21 Oklahoma Baptist 34-19
Oklahoma State (13) John Maulbetsch/George Roddy 1-12-29 1-7-30 Oklahoma 28-22
Oklahoma State (13) George Roddy 1-10-30 1-5-31 Grinnell IA 23-16
Oregon (22) George Bohler 12-22-21 2-20-22 Nevada 33-29
Oregon State (25) Jay John/Kevin Mouton/Craig Robinson 12-22-2007 11-30-2008 at Fresno State 62-54
Penn State (17) Bruce Parkhill 1-21-84 12-5-84 Navy 66-63
Pittsburgh (10) Charles "Buzz" Ridl 12-7-68 1-28-69 West Virginia 90-87
Providence (12) Lawrence Drew 2-5-49 3-9-49 Clark MA 46-45
Purdue (8) Ray Eddy 1-12-52 2-11-52 Wisconsin 78-67
Purdue (8) Ray Eddy 1-5-63 2-4-63 Michigan State 103-81
Rutgers (16) Craig Littlepage 12-23-87 2-18-88 Penn State 65-61
St. John's (16) Chris Mullin 12-18-2015 2-17-2016 DePaul 80-65
Seton Hall (15) John Colrick/Honey Russell 2-5-36 1-22-37 St. Peter's 30-23
Seton Hall (15) P.J. Carlesimo 1-2-85 3-2-85 Connecticut 85-80
South Carolina (15) Absalon "Rock" Norman 1-12-31 1-8-32 Clemson 31-23
Southern California (16) Bob Boyd 1-8-76 12-1-76 Idaho 104-64
Stanford (11) John Bunn 1-15-32 12-23-32 at Utah 41-37
Syracuse (27) Marc Guley 2-22-61 3-3-62 at Boston College 73-72
Temple (11) Don Casey 12-10-75 1-26-76 Dickinson PA 89-55
Tennessee (14) W.H. Britton 2-21-27 12-28-28 South Carolina 29-20
Texas (15) Thurman "Slue" Hull 12-4-54 2-5-55 Arkansas 75-74
Texas A&M (17) Melvin Watkins/Billy Gillispie 1-10-2004 11-19-2004 North Carolina A&T 89-56
Texas Christian (24) Johnny Swaim/Tim Somerville 12-11-76 12-3-77 Wayland Baptist TX 67-53
Texas Tech (20) Gerald Myers 1-4-90 11-25-90 Nevada 81-69 at Anchorage
UCLA (14) Pierce "Caddy" Works 12-28-37 1938-39 opener L.A. City College 44-28
UNLV (9) Michael Drakulich 12-5-58 1-14-59 at Nellis AFB 52-47
Utah (10) Craig Smith 12-30-21 2-3-22 Oregon State 84-59
Vanderbilt (14) Josh Cody 2-15-35 1-9-36 Auburn 47-27
Villanova (10) John "Rube" Cashman 1927-28 season finale Alumni at Rosemont 33-18
Virginia (13) Billy McCann 1-9-60 2-27-60 Washington & Lee VA 86-59
Virginia Tech (18) Gerald "Red" Laird 12-29-54 2-21-55 The Citadel 88-53
Wake Forest (22) Murray Greason 1-26-43 1944-45 Catawba NC 41-38
Washington (13) Lorenzo Romar 1-21-2017 11-10-2017 Belmont 86-82
Washington State (18) Kelvin Sampson 12-30-89 11-28-90 BYU-Hawaii 112-81
West Virginia (9) Marshall Glenn 1-12-37 2-17-37 Penn State 36-31
West Virginia (9) Gale Catlett 12-28-2001 1-30-2002 Providence 89-81
West Virginia (9) Drew Catlett/John Beilein 2-2-2002 11-22-2002 Delaware State 59-46
Wichita State (14) Kenneth Gunning 1-10-50 12-5-50 Oklahoma Baptist 53-45
Wisconsin (14) John Powless 1-8-76 3-1-76 at Ohio State 91-79
Xavier (13) Dick Campbell 1-29-73 12-1-73 Aquinas MI 88-48

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle February 3 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick, 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-honor shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 February 3 in football at the professional level (especially in Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season):

FEBRUARY 3

  • New York Giants rookie 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 45-yard pass from Eli Manning to fuel fourth-quarter touchdown drive in 17-14 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season. The Patriots incurred their first defeat of campaign despite SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) providing 11 solo tackles and LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) supplying two sacks and five solo tackles.

  • 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) caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco and opened second half with 108-yard kickoff return for TD in 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII following 2012 season.

  • St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had seven solo tackles in a 20-17 setback against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI following 2001 campaign.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle February 2 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as Colon Krapernick, 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-honor shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 player Julius Thomas making a name for himself on February 2 in football at the professional level:

FEBRUARY 2

  • 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) had four pass receptions in 24-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLVIII following 2013 season.

Happy Birthday! February Celebration Dates For All-Americans & HOF Coaches

Four Indiana standouts (Archie Dees, Trayce Jackson-Davis plus twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale) are among a striking number of 12 All-Americans born on 22nd of February. Two Kansas All-Americans (Ben McLemore and Jacque Vaughn) were born on the 11th but North Carolina has the most A-As born this month with six. This year marks the 100th anniversary of birth of Hall of Fame coach Fred "Tex" Winter and Evansville standout player Gus Doerner. Following is a day-by-day calendar of All-Americans and HOF coaches born in February:

FEBRUARY

1: All-Americans Theodore "T.R." Dunn (born in 1955/Alabama), Malik Sealy (1970/St. John's), Dick Snyder (1944/Davidson) and Robert "Tractor" Traylor (1977/Michigan).
2: All-Americans Dan Callandrillo (1959/Seton Hall), Sean Elliott (1968/Arizona), Ed "Moose" Krause (1913/Notre Dame), Bill Ridley (1934/Illinois) and Orson "Kent" Ryan (1915/Utah State).
3: All-American Darnell Valentine (1959/Kansas).
4: All-Americans Vern Fleming (1962/Georgia), Malik Monk (1998/Kentucky) and Blake Stepp (1982/Gonzaga).
6: All-Americans Shawn Respert (1972/Michigan State) and Carlos Rogers (1971/Tennessee State).
7: All-Americans Juwan Howard (1973/Michigan), James "Banks" McFadden (1917/Clemson), Mike O'Koren (1958/North Carolina) and Ed Shaver (1913/Purdue).
8: All-Americans Rui Hachimura (1998/Gonzaga), JaJuan Johnson (1989/Purdue), Marques Johnson (1956/UCLA) and Alonzo Mourning (1970/Georgetown).
9: All-Americans Kenny Fields (1962/UCLA), Phil Ford (1956/North Carolina), Ricky Frazier (1958/Missouri), Jameer Nelson (1982/St. Joseph's) and John Wallace (1974/Syracuse).
10: All-Americans Cornell Green (1940/Utah State), Tom LaGarde (1955/North Carolina), Bobby Portis (1995/Arkansas) and John "Cat" Thompson (1906/Montana State) plus Hall of Fame coach John Calipari (1959/Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky).
11: All-Americans Eric "Hank" Gathers (1967/Loyola Marymount), Ben McLemore (1993/Kansas), Alando Tucker (1984/Wisconsin) and Jacque Vaughn (1975/Kansas).
12: All-Americans Arthur James "A.J." Guyton (1978/Indiana), Larry Nance (1959/Clemson), Bill Russell (1934/San Francisco) and Ralph Vaughn (1918/Southern California).
13: All-American Jaden Ivey (2002/Purdue) and Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski (1947/Army and Duke).
14: All-Americans Richard "Rip" Hamilton (1978/Connecticut), Walter "Wali" Jones (1942/Villanova), Reggie King (1957/Alabama) and Carl McNulty (1930/Purdue).
15: All-Americans Nate Blackwell (1965/Temple), Jimmy Hull (1917/Ohio State), Mark Price (1964/Georgia Tech) and Tony White (1965/Tennessee).
16: All-Americans Larry Finch (1951/Memphis State), Dave Gambee (1937/Oregon State), Hasheem Thabeet (1987/Connecticut), Kelly Tripucka (1959/Notre Dame) and Herb Williams (1958/Ohio State).
17: All-American Michael Jordan (1963/North Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus (1948/Marquette, Ball State, Utah and Saint Louis).
18: All-Americans Jimmy Hagan (1936/Tennessee Tech), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2001/UCLA), Maurice Lucas (1952/Marquette), Roland Minson (1929/Brigham Young) and James "Fly" Williams (1953/Austin Peay State).
19: All-Americans Elliott Loughlin (1910/Navy), Durand "Rudy" Macklin (1958/Louisiana State) and John Pinone (1961/Villanova).
20: All-Americans Charles Barkley (1963/Auburn), Ambrose "A.L." Bennett (1924/Oklahoma A&M), Jarrett Culver (1999/Texas Tech), Stephon Marbury (1977/Georgia Tech) and Frank Oleynick (1955/Seattle).
21: All-Americans Steve Francis (1977/Maryland) and Julius McCoy (1932/Michigan State) plus Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay (1925/St. Joseph's).
22: All-Americans Dennis Awtrey (1948/Santa Clara), Archie Dees (1936/Indiana), Julius Erving (1950/Massachusetts), Devonte' Graham (1995/Kansas), Trayce Jackson-Davis (2000/Indiana), George Kaftan (1928/Holy Cross), Adam Keefe (1970/Stanford), Lewis Lloyd (1959/Drake), Lee Nailon (1975/Texas Christian), twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale (1943/Indiana) plus Chester "Chet" Walker (1940/Bradley).
23: All-Americans Mal Graham (1945/NYU), Gary Gray (1945/Oklahoma City), Roger Kaiser (1939/Georgia Tech), Vic Molodet (1933/North Carolina State), Jamal Murray (1997/Kentucky), Phil "Red" Murrell (1933/Drake), D'Angelo Russell (1996/Ohio State), Lee Shaffer (1939/North Carolina) and Andrew Wiggins (1995/Kansas).
24: All-Americans Charley Brown (1936/Seattle), Tommy Burleson (1952/North Carolina State), Mike Robinson (1952/Michigan State) and Al Tucker (1943/Oklahoma Baptist).
25: All-Americans Vernon Carey Jr. (2001/Duke), Jimmer Fredette (1989/Brigham Young), Matt Guokas (1944/St. Joseph's), E'Twaun Moore (1989/Purdue), Joakim Noah (1985/Florida), Fred VanVleet (1994/Wichita State), Malcolm "Sparky" Wade (1910/Louisiana State) and Frank Williams (1980/Illinois) plus Hall of Fame coach Fred "Tex" Winter (1922/Marquette, Kansas State, Washington, Northwestern and Long Beach State).
26: All-Americans Rolando Blackman (1959/Kansas State), Joe Capua (1934/Wyoming), Tom Churchill (1907/Oklahoma), Joe Holup (1934/George Washington), Bob McCurdy (1952/Richmond) and Robert "Bingo" Smith (1946/Tulsa).
27: All-Americans Johnny Davis (2002/Wisconsin), Gus Doerner (1922/Evansville), Charles "Chick" Halbert (1919/West Texas A&M), Devin Harris (1983/Wisconsin), Lloyd Sharrar (1936/West Virginia), Terence Stansbury (1961/Temple) and James Worthy (1961/North Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Mike Montgomery (1947/Montana, Stanford and California).
28: All-Americans Luther "Ticky" Burden (1953/Utah), Adrian Dantley (1956/Notre Dame), Chuck Hyatt (1908/Pittsburgh), Tayshaun Prince (1980/Kentucky), Tom Riker (1950/South Carolina), Jamaal Tinsley (1978/Iowa State), Max Williams (1938/Southern Methodist) and Cassius Winston (1998/Michigan State) plus Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith (1931/North Carolina).

Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

On This Date: February Calendar For Most Notable Games in NCAA History

The three all-time most high-octane outbursts came against small-college competition as highest-scoring games in history by NCAA Division I players occurred in first half of month of February - Furman's Frank Selvy (100 points vs. Newberry SC in 1954), Villanova's Paul Arizin (85 vs. Philadelphia NAMC in 1949) and Portland State's Freeman Williams (81 vs. Rocky Mountain MT in 1978).

Louisiana State's Pete Maravich, the NCAA's career scoring leader who became first player in history to score more than 2,000 points in his first two seasons of eligibility this month along with providing the highest output in a power-conference game (69 at Alabama in SEC play in 1970), wasn't the only prolific point producer in the Pelican State from the guard position. In February 1972, Southwestern Louisiana junior Dwight "Bo" Lamar erupted for 51 points in each of back-to-back Southland Conference road games at Louisiana Tech and Lamar during USL's inaugural season at the major-college level before the school changed its name to Louisiana-Lafayette. For the record, Maravich twice tallied more than 50 in back-to-back SEC contests away from home (end of junior campaign and midway through senior season). This month also featured a third still-existing single-game scoring record by an individual opponent when "Bo Knows (Scoring)" Lamar exploded for 62 points at Northeast Louisiana the previous campaign en route to becoming the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in scoring average at both the college and university divisions.

Outside Louisiana, existing single-game scoring standards for Bradley (Hersey Hawkins) and Detroit (Archie Tullos) were set in the same February assignment in 1988. In 2017, Bogdan Bliznyuk and Jacob Wiley both established Eastern Washington's single-game scoring record against an NCAA DI opponent with 45 points apiece in same contest (130-124 win against Portland State in triple overtime). As for regal rebounding records, Alabama's Jerry Harper retrieved 28 missed shots in back-to-back SEC contests two days apart in February 1956 and Wayne Embry pulled down 34 boards in back-to-back games for Miami of Ohio in same time frame the next year. February 4 is a special day in South Carolina history as John Roche (56 points) and Lee Collins (33 rebounds) set school single-game standards against NCAA DI in-state opponents on that date. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in February college basketball history:

FEBRUARY

1 - Arkansas State's Don Scaife (43 points vs. Northeast Louisiana in 1975/tied his own mark), Coppin State's Fred Warrick (40 at Howard in 1999/tied standard), Hardin-Simmons' Nate Madkins (52 vs. West Texas State in 1964) and Tulane's Jim Kerwin (45 vs. Southeastern Louisiana in 1961) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . North Carolina State's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Maryland (98-97 in 1975). . . . SEC Eastern Division cellar dweller Florida upset NCAA Tournament champion-to-be Kentucky in 1998. . . . Rudy Tomjanovich (30 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1969) set Michigan's single-game rebounding record.
2 - Brown's Harry Platt (48 points vs. Northeastern in 1938) and Delaware State's Tom Davis (50 vs. Brooklyn in 1989) set school single-game scoring records at the Division I level. . . . Eastern Michigan's Raven Lee (46 vs. Miami OH in 2016) set school single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. Lee's output came in only 24 minutes of playing time. . . . In 2014, Oakland's Travis Bader set an NCAA Division I record for most career three-pointers, surpassing the previous mark of 457 established by Duke All-American J.J. Redick. . . . Arizona's Bob Elliott (25 vs. Arizona State in 1974) set school single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent (subsequently tied). . . . Eventual MLB shortstop and manager Don Kessinger scored a career-high 49 points for Mississippi vs. Tulane in 1963.
3 - Buffalo's Mike Martinho (44 points vs. Rochester NY in 1998), Dayton's Donald Smith (52 at Loyola of Chicago in 1973), Grambling State's Brion Rush (53 vs. Southern in overtime in 2006), Portland State's Freeman Williams (81 vs. Rocky Mountain MT in 1978) and Wyoming's Joe Capua (51 vs. Montana in 1956) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Andre Spight (41 vs. Montana State in 2018) established Northern Colorado's single-game scoring mark at NCAA Division I level. . . . Florida Atlantic's DeAndre Rice (39 at Troy State in 2007) and Long Beach State's Gabe Levin (45 vs. UC Davis in 2OT in 2018) tied school single-game scoring standards. . . . Walt Lysaght (35 vs. North Carolina in 1953) set Richmond's single-game rebounding record.
4 - La Salle's Kareem Townes (52 points vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1995), Monmouth's Rahsaan Johnson (43 vs. St. Francis NY in 2001), Purdue Fort Wayne's Max Landis (44 at South Dakota in 2016), Rhode Island's Tom Harrington (50 vs. Brandeis MA in 1959/subsequently tied), South Carolina's John Roche (56 vs. Furman in 1971) and Western Michigan's Gene Ford (46 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1969) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Eastern Washington's Bogdan Bliznyuk and Jacob Wiley (both with 45 vs. Portland State in triple overtime in 2017) and Denver's Dan Cramer (50 vs. Southern Mississippi in 1974) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Illinois' school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Penn State (66-65 in 2006). . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Georgia Tech in 1956/tied his own mark), Fordham's Ed Conlin (36 vs. Colgate in 1953), Georgia Tech's Eric Crake (27 vs. Georgia in 1953), South Carolina's Lee Collins (33 vs. The Citadel in 1956) and Wake Forest's Dickie Hemric (36 vs. Clemson in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
5 - Akron's Joe Jakubick (47 points vs. Murray State in 1983), UC Santa Barbara's Orlando Johnson (39 vs. UC Davis in 2011/tied), East Tennessee State's Tom Chilton (52 vs. Austin Peay in 1961), Kent State's Dan Potopsky (49 vs. Western Michigan in 1955), Prairie View A&M's Paul Queen (46 vs. Alabama State in 1994) and Troy State's Detric Golden (45 at Jacksonville in 2000) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Yale's Brandon Sherrod extended his NCAA record of consecutive successful field-goal attempts to 30 covering five 2016 games before misfiring against Columbia. . . . Kenny Davis (25 vs. Arizona State in 1977) tied Arizona's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB Hall of Fame OF Tony Gwynn (18 vs. UNLV in 1980) set San Diego State's single-game assists record against a DI opponent.
6 - Ernie McCray (46 points vs. Los Angeles State in 1960) set Arizona's single-game scoring record. . . . Southeast Missouri State's Tyler Stone (37 at SIU-Edwardsville in 2014), Southern Mississippi's John White (41 at Virginia Tech in double overtime in 1988) and Tulane's Calvin Grosscup (41 vs. Mississippi State in 1956) tied school single-game scoring records against a major-college opponent. . . . Virginia Tech sophomore guard Bimbo Coles set Metro Conference single-game scoring record with 51 points in a 141-133 double overtime victory against visiting Southern Mississippi in 1988. . . . Bradley's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Drake (86-76 in 1961). . . . Belmont erased an 18-point deficit with 3:22 remaining (75-57) to defeat Campbell, 87-84, in 2009. . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Vanderbilt in 1956/tied his own mark), American University's Kermit Washington (34 vs. Georgetown in 1971), West Virginia's Jerry West (31 vs. George Washington in 1960/tied) and Wichita State's Terry Benton (29 vs. North Texas State in 1971) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
7 - Dartmouth's Jim Barton (48 points at Brown in overtime in 1987), Louisiana State's Pete Maravich (69 at Alabama in 1970) and South Dakota State's Nate Wolters (53 at IPFW in 2013) set school single-game scoring records. Maravich's output is also a SEC record in league competition. . . . Phil Hicks (41 at Samford in 1974) tied Tulane's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . In 1976, Purdue (25) and Wisconsin (22) combined to convert all 47 of their free-throw attempts, an NCAA record for two teams in a single game. . . . Duquesne's Dick Ricketts (28 vs. Villanova in 1955) and Southern's Jervaughn Scales (32 vs. Grambling in 1994) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
8 - Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (62 points vs. North Texas State in 1960) and UNC Charlotte's George Jackson (44 at Samford in 1975) set school single-game scoring records. Robertson's output is also a Missouri Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. North Carolina in 1954) set Virginia's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Iowa State's Melvin Ejim (48 vs. TCU in 2014) set Big 12 Conference single-game scoring mark in league competition. . . . Kentucky established an NCAA single-game record by grabbing 108 rebounds against Mississippi in 1964. . . . Wofford set an NCAA three-point percentage single-game record (minimum of 20 attempts) by hitting 17-of-21 shots from beyond the arc (81% against VMI in 2016 game). . . . Niagara's school-record 51-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Syracuse (60-55 in 1950). . . . Boston College's Terry Driscoll (31 vs. Fordham in 1969), Davidson's Fred Hetzel (27 vs. Furman in 1964), Eastern Michigan's Kareem Carpenter (27 vs. Western Michigan in 1995), Harvard's Bob Canty (31 vs. Boston College in 1955), Long Island's Ty Flowers (27 vs. Merrimack in 2020), Marquette's Pat Smith (28 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1967), Oklahoma City's Willie Watson (32 vs. Denver in 1969) and Seattle's John Tresvant (40 vs. Montana in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records. Flowers' output is also a Northeast Conference contest mark. . . . Gene Estes (24 vs. Oklahoma City in 1961) set Tulsa's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent. . . . Utah State All-American Wayne Estes, after scoring 48 points vs. Denver to eclipse 2,000-point plateau, was electrocuted following home game in 1965 when the 6-6 forward brushed against downed high-power line upon stopping at scene of an auto accident near campus. . . . Dayton center Chris Daniels, who finished the season as nation's leader in field-goal shooting (68.3%), died in his sleep because of a heart ailment during 1995-96 campaign.
9 - UALR's Carl Brown (46 points at Centenary in overtime in 1989), Butler's Darrin Fitzgerald (54 vs. Detroit in 1987), Canisius' Larry Fogle (55 vs. St. Peter's in 1974), Clemson's J.O. Erwin (58 vs. Butler Guards at Greenville in 1912), Colorado State's Bill Green (48 vs. Denver in 1963), Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman (48 vs. William & Mary in 2019) and Loyola of Chicago's Alfredrick Hughes (47 vs. Detroit in 1985) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Brown's output is also an Atlantic Sun Conference record in league competition. . . . DePaul's Tom Kleinschmidt set the Great Midwest Conference single-game scoring record in league play with 37 points against UAB in 1994. . . . Charleston Southern's Tony Fairley set an NCAA single-game record against a DI opponent with 22 assists against Armstrong State GA in 1987. . . . Dartmouth ended Penn's Ivy League-record 48-game winning streak (54-53 in 1996) and Duke's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Maryland (98-87 in 2000). . . . Southern Mississippi's Wendell Ladner (32 vs. Pan American in 1970) and Syracuse's Frank Reddout (34 vs. Temple in 1952) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Canisius' Larry Fogle (22 vs. St. Peter's in 1974) and Idaho's Gus Johnson (31 vs. Oregon in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
10 - Morehead State's Brett Roberts (53 points vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1992), Ohio State's Gary Bradds (49 vs. Illinois in 1964), Larry Lewis of Saint Francis PA (46 vs. St. Vincent PA in 1969) and Savannah State's Alante Fenner (46 vs. Morgan State in overtime in 2018) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Detroit's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wisconsin-Green Bay (65-61 in 2002), Oral Roberts' school-record 52-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Marshall (106-103 in 1973) and Virginia Commonwealth's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Virginia Tech (71-63 in 1978). . . . Georgetown's Charlie Adrion (29 vs. George Washington in 1968), Houston's Elvin Hayes (37 vs. Centenary in 1968) and Rider's Jason Thompson (24 vs. Siena in 2008) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Eventual Chicago White Sox RHP Dave DeBusschere scored a career-high 44 points for Detroit against Dayton in a 1962 game.
11 - East Carolina's Oliver Mack (47 points vs. South Carolina-Aiken in 1978), Florida State's Ron King (46 at Georgia Southern in 1971), Hartford's Vin Baker (44 vs. Lamar in overtime in 1992), Southern California's John Block (45 vs. Washington in 1966) and Wisconsin-Green Bay's Tony Bennett (44 at Cleveland State in 1989) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Mal Graham (46 at Holy Cross in 1967) set New York University's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Morehead State (53) and Cincinnati (35) combined for an NCAA single-game record of 88 successful free throws in 1956. . . . Indiana State set an NCAA single-game record for most three-pointers without a miss by making all 12 attempts from beyond the arc (against Southern Illinois in 2012). . . . Weber State's school-record 44-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Idaho (68-67 in 1967). . . . Andrew Nicholson (23 vs. Duquesne in 2012) tied St. Bonaventure's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
12 - Marist's Izett Buchanan (51 points at Long Island University in 1994), Northern Iowa's Cam Johnson (40 at Drake in 1994) and Villanova's Paul Arizin (85 vs. Philadelphia NAMC in 1949) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Wake Forest's Len Chappell (50 vs. Virginia in 1962) set ACC single-game scoring record in league competition. . . . Gonzaga's school-record 50-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Santa Clara (84-73 in 2007). . . . Drake's Ken Harris (26 vs. Tulsa in 1977) and Navy's David Robinson (25 vs. Fairfield in 1986) set school single-game rebounding records.
13 - Colorado's Cliff Meely (47 points vs. Oklahoma in 1971), Furman's Frank Selvy (NCAA-record 100 vs. Newberry SC in 1954), Portland's Matt Houle (43 vs. San Francisco in 1993), St. Peter's Rich Rinaldi (54 vs. St. Francis NY in 1971) and San Francisco's Keith Jackson (47 at Loyola Marymount in 1988) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Alabama's Bob Andrews (46 vs. Tulane in 1965), East Carolina's Gus Hill (43 at Navy in 1988), UNC Asheville's Andrew Rousey (41 at Radford in 2014/tied) and Virginia's Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. Georgetown in 1954/tied his own mark) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . In 1985, Connecticut became the first school to be ranked No. 1 in the men's and women's national polls at the same time. . . . Syracuse's school-record 57-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Georgetown (52-50 in 1980). . . . Kentucky's Bill Spivey (34 vs. Xavier in 1951), New Mexico's Tom King (26 vs. Wyoming in 1960), Northwestern's Jim Pitts (29 vs. Indiana in 1965) and Western Michigan's Frank Ayers (25 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1973) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Dan Roundfield (25 vs. Bowling Green State in 1974) set Central Michigan's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
14 - Auburn's John Mengelt (60 points vs. Alabama in 1970), Central Connecticut State's Kyle Vinales (42 at Wagner in 2013), College of Charleston's Grant Riller (43 vs. Hofstra in 2019), Coppin State's Larry Stewart (40 vs. South Carolina State in 1991/subsequently tied), Mount St. Mary's Sam Prescott (44 vs. Bryant in 2013), South Alabama's Eugene Oliver (46 at Southern Mississippi in 1974), Southwestern Louisiana's Bo Lamar (51 at Louisiana Tech in 1972/subsequently tied by him) and Tennessee's Tony White (51 vs. Auburn in 1987) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Lamar's output also set a Southland Conference record in league competition. . . . Villanova's Larry Hennessy (45 vs. Boston College in 1953) and Virginia's Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. Clemson in 1955/tied his own mark) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . William & Mary's Bill Chambers, standing a mere 6-4, grabbed an NCAA single-game record 51 rebounds against Virginia on Valentine's Day in 1953. . . . Miami of Ohio's Wayne Embry (34 vs. Eastern Kentucky in 1957/subsequently tied by him), Texas Tech's Jim Reed (27 vs. Texas in 1956), Towson's Dennis Tunstall (21 vs. Delaware in 2019/tied), Wagner's Mike Aaman (23 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson in 2015) and West Virginia's Mack Isner (31 vs. Virginia Tech in 1952/subsequently tied) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent. . . . Jacksonville junior-college recruit Artis Gilmore, the only player in major-college history to average more than 22 points and 22 rebounds per game in his career, had his only DI contest retrieving fewer than 10 missed shots (8 caroms at Loyola LA in 1970). . . . Massachusetts' school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by George Washington (80-78 in 1995). . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 600 victories the fastest with a 71-52 win over Notre Dame at Chicago in 1959 (705 games in 27th season).
15 - Coastal Carolina's Tony Dunkin (43 points vs. UNC Asheville in 1993), Columbia's Leonard "Buck" Jenkins (47 at Harvard in 1991), Maryland-Baltimore County's Derell Thompson (43 at Towson State in 1992) and Wake Forest's Charlie Davis (51 vs. American University in 1969) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Kentucky tied an NCAA record by erasing a 31-point, second-half deficit at Louisiana State (99-95 UK victory in 1994). . . . In 1969, Pete Maravich passed Bob Pettit (1,970 points from 1951-52 through 1953-54) to become LSU's all-time scoring leader and first player in NCAA history reaching 2,000-point plateau in his first two seasons of eligibility. . . . Princeton's Bill Bradley (51 points vs. Harvard in 1964) set Ivy League scoring record in conference competition. . . . Oregon State ended UCLA's Pacific-8 Conference-record 50-game winning streak (61-57 in 1974). . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 400 victories the fastest with a 90-50 win over Mississippi in 1950 (477 games in 20th season). . . . Kansas' Wilt Chamberlain (36 vs. Iowa State in 1958), Oregon State's Swede Halbrook (36 vs. Idaho in 1955) and Rice's Joe Durrenberger (30 vs. Baylor in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records. Halbrook also grabbed 32 rebounds the previous night against the Vandals. . . . Paul Millsap (29 vs. San Jose State in 2006) set Louisiana Tech's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB All-Star RHP Sonny Siebert scored a career-high 31 points for Missouri against Oklahoma in a 1958 game.
16 - Illinois' Dave Downey (53 points at Indiana in 1963), Tennessee Tech's Jimmy Hagan (48 vs. East Tennessee State in 1959) and Texas-Pan American's Marshall Rogers (58 vs. Texas Lutheran in 1976) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Dikembe Dixson (40 at Youngstown State in 2OT in 2016) set Illinois-Chicago's single-game scoring record against an NCAA Division I opponent. . . . Wichita State ended Cincinnati's school-record 37-game winning streak (65-64 in 1963) and South Carolina's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Notre Dame (72-68 in 1974). . . . Cincinnati's Connie Dierking (33 vs. Loyola New Orleans in 1957), Miami of Ohio's Wayne Embry (34 vs. Kent State in 1957), NYU's Cal Ramsey (34 vs. Boston College in 1957) and Texas Christian's Goo Kennedy (28 vs. Arkansas in 1971) set school single-game rebounding records. It was the second time in three days for Embry to corral 34 caroms. . . . Texas-El Paso's Jim Barnes (27 vs. Hardin-Simmons in 1963) and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair (23 vs. Connecticut in 2009) set single-game rebounding records against major-college opponents. . . . Eventual 13-year N.L. LHP Joe Gibbon grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds for Mississippi against Georgia in 1957.
17 - George Washington's Joe Holup (49 points vs. Furman in 1956), Holy Cross' Jack Foley (56 vs. Connecticut in 1962), Quinnipiac's Cameron Young (55 at Siena in triple overtime in 2019), Southwestern Louisiana's Bo Lamar (51 at Lamar in 1972/tied his own mark) and Wofford's Fletcher Magee (45 at Chattanooga in 2018) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Young's outburst set a MAAC single-game standard and Lamar's output tied his own Southland Conference mark in league competition established three days earlier. . . . Antoine Gillespie (45 at Hawaii in 1994) set Texas-El Paso's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Dartmouth's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Army (44-36 in 1940). . . . Fresno State's Larry Abney (35 vs. Southern Methodist in 2000), Loyola of Chicago's LaRue Martin (34 vs. Valparaiso in 1971) and Toledo's Ned Miklovic (27 vs. Ohio University in 1958/subsequently tied) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. Abney's total is the highest among all schools at the DI level since 1973.
18 - Scott Haffner (65 points vs. Dayton in 1989) set Evansville's single-game scoring record. Haffner's output is also a Horizon League record in conference competition. . . . Freeman Williams (50 at UNLV in 1978) set Portland State's single-game scoring record against an NCAA Division I opponent. . . . Gonzaga and Loyola Marymount each scored 86 points after intermission in 1989 to set an NCAA record for highest offensive output in a half by both teams (172). . . . Louisiana State's school-record 42-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Mississippi (23-22 in 1921). . . . Florida's Jim Zinn (31 vs. Mississippi in 1957), McNeese State's Henry Ray (27 vs Texas-Arlington in 1974), New Orleans' Ervin Johnson (27 vs. Lamar in 1993), Penn's Barton Leach (32 vs. Harvard in 1955), Southern Illinois' Joe C. Meriweather (27 vs. Indiana State in 1974) and Xavier's Bob Pelkington (31 vs. St. Francis PA in 1964) set school single-game rebounding records.
19 - Delaware's Liston Houston (52 points vs. Lebanon Valley PA in 1910), Liberty's Matt Hildebrand (41 vs. Charleston Southern in 1994/subsequently tied), Longwood's Tristan Carey (40 vs. Liberty in 2013), Mississippi Valley State's Alphonso Ford (51 vs. Texas Southern in overtime in 1990), Morgan State's Tiwian Kendley (41 vs. Bethune-Cookman in OT in 2018), Oral Roberts' Anthony Roberts (66 vs. North Carolina A&T in 1977), Stetson's Mel Daniels (48 vs. UNC Wilmington in 1977) and Texas Tech's Dub Malaise (50 at Texas in 1966) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (45 at Pacific in 2015) and Lafayette's Bobby Mantz (44 vs. Lehigh in 1958) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Holy Cross' Rob Feaster (46 vs. Navy in overtime in 1994) set Patriot League scoring record in conference competition. . . . Creighton's Paul Silas (38 vs. Centenary in 1962), Northern Illinois' Jim Bradley (31 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973) and Purdue's Carl McNulty (27 vs. Minnesota in 1951) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell (24 vs. Seton Hall in 1977) set Charlotte's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
20 - Baylor's Vinnie Johnson (50 points vs. Texas Christian in 1979), Idaho State's Willie Humes (53 at Montana State in 1971), Illinois State's Robert "Bubbles" Hawkins (58 vs. Northern Illinois in 1974), North Florida's Parker Smith (46 vs. Mercer in 2012), San Diego State's Anthony Watson (54 vs. U.S. International in 1986) and South Carolina State's Jackie Robinson (40 at Morgan State in 1993) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Humes' output is also a Big Sky Conference record in league competition. . . . Delaware State's Tom Davis (47 vs. Florida A&M in 1989) set MEAC scoring record in league competition at DI level. . . . Rhode Island's Art Stephenson (28 vs. Brown in 1968) and Tennessee Tech's Jimmy Hagan (30 vs. Morehead State in 1959) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Kansas' 28-17 victory at Drake in 1924 triggered an NCAA-record 35-game road winning streak.
21 - Boston College's John Austin (49 points vs. Georgetown in 1964), Rutgers' Eric Riggins (51 vs. Penn State in double overtime in 1987) and Virginia Tech's Allan Bristow (52 vs. George Washington in 1973) set school single-game scoring records. Riggins' output is also an Atlantic 10 Conference record in league competition. . . . LSU's Pete Maravich (64) and Kentucky's Dan Issel (51) each scored more than 50 points in the same SEC game in 1970. . . . UCLA's school-record 98-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Oregon (65-45 in 1976). . . . Clemson's Tommy Smith (30 vs. Georgia in 1955) and North Carolina's Rusty Clark (30 vs. Maryland in 1968) set school single-game rebounding records.
22 - Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (63 points at Detroit in 1988), California's Ed Gray (48 at Washington State in 1997), Detroit's Archie Tullos (49 vs. Bradley in 1988), Manhattan's Bob Mealy (51 vs. CCNY in 1960), Missouri-Kansas City's Michael Watson (Summit League-record 54 at Oral Roberts in double overtime in 2003), Oklahoma State's Bob Kurland (58 vs. St. Louis in 1946) and Oregon State's Gary Payton Sr. (58 vs. Southern California in overtime in 1990) set school single-game scoring records. . . . High Point's Nick Barbour (44 vs. Campbell in 2012), Long Island's Antawn Dobie (53 vs. St. Francis NY in 2003), Mississppi State's Bailey Howell (45 vs. Louisiana State in 1958) and Western Illinois' Kobe Webster (40 vs. Omaha in 2020) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. Dobie's output is also a Northeast Conference record in league competition. . . . Drexel set NCAA record by erasing a 34-point deficit late in the first half (53-19) to defeat visiting Delaware, 85-83, in 2018. . . . Nebraska stunned Wilt Chamberlain-led Kansas, 43-41, in 1958 to avenge a 56-point defeat four games earlier. . . . Memphis' school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Tennessee (66-62 in 2008). . . . Massachusetts' Julius Erving (32 vs. Syracuse in 1971) and Mississippi's Ivan Richmann (25 vs. Tulane in 1958) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Hakim Shahid (25 vs. Jacksonville in 1990) set South Florida's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
23 - Boston University's Jim Hayes (47 points vs. Springfield MA in 1970), Indiana's Jimmy Rayl (56 vs. Michigan State in 1963/tied his own mark), Louisiana Tech's Mike McConathy (47 vs. Lamar in 1976), Miami's Rick Barry (59 vs. Rollins FL in 1965), Providence's Marshon Brooks (52 vs. Notre Dame in 2011/tied Marvin Barnes' mark) and Texas Southern's Harry "Machine Gun" Kelly (60 vs. Jarvis Christian TX in 1983) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Brooks' output is also a Big East Conference record in league competition. . . . Los Angeles State's Raymond Lewis set Pacific Coast Athletic Association (now Big West) single-game scoring record with 53 points vs. Long Beach State in double overtime in 1973. . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach compiling 700 victories the fastest with a 99-79 win over Auburn at Montgomery in 1964 (836 games in 32nd season). . . . Jimmie Baker (26 vs. San Francisco in 1973) set UNLV's single-game rebounding record before transferring to Hawaii. . . . Eventual 13-year N.L. LHP Joe Gibbon scored a career-high 46 points for Mississippi in 1957 game against Louisiana State.
24 - Houston's Elvin Hayes (62 points vs. Valparaiso in 1968), Iowa's John Johnson (49 vs. Northwestern in 1970), Northwestern's Rich Falk (49 vs. Iowa in 1964), St. Bonaventure's Bob Lanier (51 vs. Seton Hall in 1969) and Utah's Billy McGill (60 at Brigham Young in 1962) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Alcorn State's DeCarlos Anderson (41 vs. Southern in 1996), East Tennessee State's Tom Chilton (47 vs. Western Kentucky in 1961), Florida A&M's Jerome James (38 at Delaware State in overtime in 1997) and Ohio University's Dave Jamerson (52 at Kent State in 1990) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Washington & Lee's Jay Handlan hoisted up an NCAA single-game record 71 field-goal attempts vs. Furman in 1951. . . . Alabama A&M's Mickell Gladness set an NCAA single-game record with 16 blocked shots against Texas Southern in 2007. . . . Temple's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by West Virginia (64-61 in 1987). . . . Ed Corell (30 vs. Oregon in 1962) set Washington's single-game rebounding record.
25 - Detroit's Antoine Davis (46 points vs. Robert Morris in 2021 Horizon League first round) and Austin Peay's Bubba Wells (43 vs. Morehead State in 1997 Ohio Valley quarterfinals) set conference tournament single-game scoring records. . . . Alabama A&M's Desmond Cambridge (50 at Texas Southern in 2002), Central Florida's Jermaine Taylor (45 vs. Rice in 2009), Cleveland State's Frank Edwards (49 at Xavier in 1981), Indiana State's Larry Bird (49 vs. Wichita State in 1979), Texas' Raymond Downs (49 at Baylor in 1956/tied Slater Martin's mark), Virginia Military's QJ Peterson (46 vs. Mercer in 2016) and William & Mary's Jeff Cohen (49 vs. Richmond in 1961) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Lew Alcindor (61 vs. Washington State in 1967) set UCLA and Pac-12 Conference single-game scoring record. . . . Jim Christy (44 at Maryland in 1964) set Georgetown's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Southwestern Louisiana's Sydney Grider set the American South Conference single-game scoring record in league competition (40 vs. Louisiana Tech in 1989). . . . St. Bonaventure's 99-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Niagara (87-77 in 1961). . . . Appalachian State's Tony Searcy (23 vs. The Citadel in 1978), Memphis' Ronnie Robinson (28 vs. Tulsa in 1971) and Northern Iowa's Jason Reese (21 vs. Illinois-Chicago in 1989) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
26 - Denver's Matt Teahan (61 points vs. Nebraska Wesleyan in 1979), Florida Atlantic's Earnest Crumbley (39 vs. Campbell in 2004/subsequently tied), Richmond's Bob McCurdy (53 vs. Appalachian State in double overtime in 1975), Texas' Slater Martin (49 vs. Texas Christian in 1949/subsequently tied by Raymond Downs) and Yale's Tony Lavelli (52 vs. Williams MA in 1949) set school Division I single-game scoring records. McCurdy established mark on his birthday in final home game. . . . Kansas' Isaac "Bud" Stallworth set Big Eight Conference single-game scoring record in league competition with 50 points vs. Missouri in 1972. . . . New Mexico's school-record 41-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Brigham Young (83-62 in 1998). . . . Cornell's George Farley (26 vs. Brown in 1960), Montana State's Doug Hashley (24 vs. Nevada-Reno in 1982), Old Dominion's Clifton Jones (23 vs. UNC Wilmington in 2001), Rutgers' George "Swede" Sundstrom (30 vs. Army in 1954) and Saint Joseph's Cliff Anderson (32 vs. La Salle in 1967) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
27 - Bowling Green's Jim Darrow (52 points vs. Marshall in 1960/tied his own mark), George Mason's Carlos Yates (42 vs. Navy in 1985), Georgetown's Jim Barry (46 at Fairleigh Dickinson in 1965), San Diego's Duda Sanadze (38 vs. Portland in 2016), Texas State's J.B. Conley (42 at Northwestern State in 2010/tied), Towson's Devin Boyd (46 at Maryland-Baltimore County in double overtime in 1993) and UAB's Robert Vaden (41 at Texas-El Paso in 2008/tied Andy Kennedy's mark) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Darrow's output is also a Mid-American Conference record and Boyd's output is a Big South Conference record in league competition. . . . Houston's Robert McKiver (52 vs. Southern Mississippi in 2008) set C-USA scoring record in league competition. . . . Connecticut's Toby Kimball (34 vs. New Hampshire in 1965), Maryland's Len Elmore (26 vs. Wake Forest in 1974) and Tulsa's Michael Ruffin (24 vs. Texas Christian in 1997/tied) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . Holy Cross' school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak snapped by Connecticut (78-77 in 1954).
28 - Army's Kevin Houston (53 points vs. Fordham in overtime of MAAC Tournament opener in 1987), Eastern Michigan's Ray Lee (50 at Central Michigan in 2017), Long Island's Sherman White (63 vs. John Marshall in 1950), Northern Illinois' Paul Dawkins (47 at Western Michigan in overtime in 1979) and Purdue's Rick Mount (61 vs. Iowa in 1970) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Houston's output is also a MAAC Tournament single-game record and Mount's uprising is a Big Ten Conference record in league competition. Lee's outburst was accumulated in only 26 minutes. . . . Ronshad Shabazz (47 at Louisiana-Monroe in 2019) set Appalachian State's single-game scoring record against an NCAA DI opponent. . . . The first basketball game telecast occurred when W2XBS carried a doubleheader from Madison Square Garden in 1940 (Pittsburgh vs. Fordham and NYU vs. Georgetown). . . . Ron Weilert (21 vs. Tulane in 1970) set Air Force single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB All-Star 1B Joe Adcock contributed 15 field goals for Louisiana State in a 74-29 first-round victory against Tulane in 1946 SEC Tournament.
29 - Air Force's Bob Beckel (50 points vs. Arizona in 1959) and Florida's Tony Miller (54 vs. Chicago State in 1972) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Paul Marigney (40 vs. Pepperdine in 2004) tied Saint Mary's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Pittsburgh's school-record 40-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Syracuse (49-46 in 2004). . . . Bernie Janicki (31 vs. North Carolina in 1952) set Duke's single-game rebounding record. . . . Eventual eight-time N.L. All-Star SS Dick Groat scored a career-high 48 points for Duke against North Carolina in a 1952 game.

Memorable Moments in January College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in December College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in November College Basketball History

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 31 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 31 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 31

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway in 34-19 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII following 1998 season. Falcons rookie Ephraim Salaam (scored 22 points in five games for San Diego State in 1996-97) started at RT in their first-ever trip to NFL title tilt.

The Way We Were: PC Police Force Many Schools to Change Their Nicknames

Akin to roster and coaching staff turnover, there are times when a school such as Valparaiso chooses to change its nickname (from Crusaders to Beacons). As political correctness and cancel culture runs amok, following are a series of headlines the media might have been trying to sell over the years if nickname changes didn't occur:

  • Bay Badgers end Jason Kidd's college career with an upset victory in NCAA playoffs. Translation: Wisconsin-Green Bay (now Phoenix) stuns California in 1994 West Regional first round.

  • Blue Devils win 50 of 53 games before changing nickname and going undefeated. Translation: LIU (Blackbirds) go 25-0 in 1935-36 after posting a 50-3 record the previous two seasons.

  • Bugeaters still seeking first NCAA playoff victory. Translation: Nebraska (Cornhuskers) remains winless in NCAA Tournament.

  • Bulldogs become only team to make seamless Top 10 transition. Translation: Louisiana-Lafayette, formerly USL, is only school ever to finish in the Top 10 of the final Division I rankings the year (1972) after finishing in Top 10 of final Division II poll.

  • Foxes eliminate Indiana in opening round of NCAA playoffs. Translation: Hoosiers lose to Cleveland State (Vikings) in 1986 East Regional.

  • Gorillas miss opportunity to make first trip to NCAA playoffs. Translation: Louisiana Tech defeats Arkansas State (Indians) in 1987 Southland Conference Tournament final.

  • Grandees win NCAA title in their first tournament appearance. Translation: Loyola of Chicago (Ramblers) capture 1963 NCAA championship.

  • Grey Fog secure back-to-back NCAA championships in mid-1950s. Translation: Bill Russell-led San Francisco (Dons) capture NCAA crowns in 1955 and 1956.

  • Grizzlies great coach wins 10th NCAA championship in 12 years. Translation: John Wooden ends UCLA (Bruins) coaching career with 1975 national title.

  • Maroons glide to NIT title behind Clyde. Translation: Walt Frazier-led Southern Illinois (Salukis) win 1967 NIT championship.

  • Owls advance to Final Four in just their fifth season at the Division I level. Translation: UNC Charlotte (49ers) finishes in fourth place in 1977 NCAA Tournament.

  • Red Terror captures second NCAA crown in 10 years. Translation: North Carolina State (Wolfpack) wins 1983 NCAA championship on last-second dunk.

  • Redskins reach Final Four twice in six-year span in 1960s. Translation: Jack Gardner-coached Utah (Utes) finish fourth in NCAA Tournament in 1961 and 1966.

  • Snakes reach NCAA Tournament final. Translation: Jerry West-led West Virginia (Mountaineers) meets Cal in 1959 NCAA playoff championship game.

  • Varsity climax three Final Four appearances in 10 years with an NCAA championship. Translation: Arizona (Wildcats) capture 1997 crown after reaching national semifinals in 1988 and 1994.

The University of Chattanooga Moccasins shed their mascot amid numerous other current and former Division I schools making politically correct decisions by changing their supposedly demeaning and highly insensitive nicknames. The vice chairman of Marquette's board of trustees and another unnamed trustee offered to donate $1 million each to the school if it were to restore the Warriors name. The board eventually passed a resolution barring any nickname using American Indian references, imagery or symbolism. The resolution added that the university "shall consistently strive to avoid the use of images that diminish, limit, stereotype, or are offensive to the character, history and culture of any ethnic heritage."

North Dakota lawmakers intervened in 2011, passing a law that required UND to retain the Fighting Sioux moniker and logo. Some legislators said they resented the nickname being characterized as hostile and abusive because they believed the name and logo are treated with respect. Others said the change was being rammed down their throats by the NCAA and think the higher education board should have done more to adhere to residents' wishes. Before the end of summer, however, the state's Board of Higher Education decided to retire the nickname, anticipating that the lawmakers would repeal the law.

Most of the time, we know intuitively when a word or a traditional emblem is blatantly offensive. But isn't it only pathetic parasites who are overwrought by emotion with innocent symbols that "attack" self esteem? Don't the liberal leeches have anything better to do than target harmless mascots and logos and turn them into controversial racial slurs?

The NCAA, claiming the policy was social justice, was a classic example of political correctness run amok during the summer of 2005 when it launched an initiative crusading against nicknames deemed "hostile or abusive" to Native Americans.

Arkansas State previously was known as the Aggies, Farmers, Gorillas and Warriors before becoming the Indians and then the Red Wolves. Central Michigan was previously known as the Normalites (until 1925), Dragons (until 1939) and Bearcats (until 1942) before becoming the Chippewas. Here is a look at the former nicknames of some of the nation's prominent schools:

College Current Nickname Former Nickname(s)
Arizona Wildcats Varsity (until 1914)
Arizona State Sun Devils Bulldogs (until early 1900s)
Arkansas State Red Wolves Indians (until 2007)
Ball State Cardinals Hoosieroons (until 1927)
Binghamton Bearcats Colonials (until 1999)
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Roadrunners (until late 1930s)
Campbell Fighting Camels Hornets (until 1933)
Canisius Golden Griffins unavailable (until 1933)
Centenary Gentlemen Ironsides (until 1922)
Charlotte 49ers Owls (until 1961)
Cleveland State Vikings Foxes (until 1966)
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Trojans (until 1963)
Colgate Raiders Red Raiders (until 2001)
College of Charleston Cougars Maroons (until 1970)
Creighton Bluejays Hilltoppers (until 1924)
Dartmouth Big Green Indians (until 1974)
Dayton Flyers St. Mary's Institute Cadets (until 1920)
Eastern Kentucky Colonels Maroons (until 1966)
Eastern Michigan Eagles Hurons (until 1991)
Eastern Washington Eagles Savages (until 1973)
Elon Phoenix Fightin' Christians (until 2000)
Evansville Purple Aces Pioneers (until mid-1920s)
Furman Paladins Purple Hurricanes (until 1961)
Georgia Southern Eagles Professors (until 1959)
Green Bay Phoenix Bay Badgers (until 1970)
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Eagle Owls (until 1947)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks Engineers
Long Island Blackbirds Blue Devils (until 1935)
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns Bulldogs (until 1974)
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Indians (until 2006)
Loyola (Ill.) Ramblers Grandees (until 1926)
Marquette Gold Hilltoppers (until 1954), Warriors (until 1994) and Golden Eagles (until 2006)
Marshall Thundering Herd Indians, Big Green and Boogercats
Massachusetts Minutemen Aggies (until 1948) and Redmen (until 1972)
Mercer Bears Baptists (until 1924)
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Redskins (from 1928 to 1996)
Milwaukee Panthers Normals (until 1927), Green Gulls (until 1956) and Cardinals (until 1965)
Mississippi State Bulldogs Maroons (until 1961)
Murray State Racers Thoroughbreds (until late 1950s)
Nebraska Huskers or Cornhuskers Bugeaters, Antelopes and Old Gold Knights
North Carolina State Wolfpack Farmer & Mechanics, Aggies, Techs and Red Terror
North Dakota Fighting Hawks Fighting Sioux (until 2015)
Northern Illinois Huskies Profs (until 1940)
Oakland (Mich.) Golden Grizzlies Pioneers (until 1998)
Oklahoma State Cowboys Aggies (until 1957)
Old Dominion Monarchs Braves (until 1961)
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Titans (until 1993)
Oregon Ducks Webfoots
Quinnipiac Bobcats Braves (until 2002)
St. Bonaventure Bonnies Brown Indians (until 1992)
Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash Frankies (until 1973)
St. John's Red Storm Redmen (until 1994)
Sam Houston State Bearkats Normals (until 1923)
San Francisco Dons Grey Fog (until 1932)
Seattle Redhawks Chieftains (until 2000)
Siena Saints Indians (until 1990)
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Indians (until 2004)
Southern Illinois Salukis Maroons (until 1951)
Stanford Cardinal Indians (until 1972)
Stony Brook Seawolves Baymen (until 1960), Warriors (until 1966) and Patriots (until 1994)
Syracuse Orange Orangemen (until 2004)
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks Pacers (until 1996)
Texas-Arlington Mavericks Rebels (until 1971)
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Yellow Jackets (until 1922)
UCLA Bruins Cubs (until 1923) and Grizzlies (until 1927)
Utah Utes Redskins (until 1972)
Utah Tech Trailblazers Rebels (until 2009) and Red Storm (until 2016)
Valparaiso Beacons Crusaders (until 2021)
Virginia Commonwealth Rams Green Devils (until 1968)
Washington Huskies Sundodgers (until 1921)
West Virginia Mountaineers Snakes (until 1906)

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 30 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 30 in football at the professional level (especially Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII):

JANUARY 30

  • Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy (earned hoops letter with Coe IA in 1949-50) lost his fourth consecutive Super Bowl game (30-13 against Dallas Cowboys in XXVIII following 1993 season). Bills TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) had at least one pass reception in his fourth straight Super Bowl.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle January 29 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 example of exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball player Bobby Ross making a name for himself on January 29 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 29

  • Bobby Ross (averaged 3 ppg as VMI freshman in 1955-56) coached the San Diego Chargers when they lost against the San Francisco 49ers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX following 1994 season.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 26 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 26 in football at the professional level in Super Bowl competition:

JANUARY 26

  • Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) coached Chicago Bears to a 46-10 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX following 1985 season. Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught two passes for 16 yards.

  • 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 touchdown passes in a 48-21 win against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII following 2002 season.

  • 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) caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Jim Kelly in 37-24 setback against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI following 1991 season.

  • Green Bay Packers WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) opened game's scoring with a 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre in 35-21 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI following 1996 season.

Name Game: Cancel Culture Still on Warpath Regarding Mundane Monikers

Caving in to the Bolshevik mob, mascots and flags beware as history know-nothing protesters peddle their cancel-culture nonsense tearing down statues and pressuring schools to bow at their altar (Dixie State changed name to Utah Tech). It's major-league inconceivable, but cow-towing Cleveland dropped its MLB franchise nickname (Indians) and former Super Bowl kingpin Washington switched its NFL franchise moniker (Redskins to Commanders) amid the leftist lunatic "parler" games. Please say World Series champion Atlanta Braves won't be next. Previously, an initiative stemming from higher education do-gooders spawned the NCAA's meddling progressive-policy police focusing on changing nicknames and logos allegedly hostile to American Indians. Believe it or not, the word-and-thought police foolishness spilled over to religion history whereby Holy Cross contemplated shedding its moniker (Crusaders) before settling on just changing mascot from a knight.

"It's nonsense," said recently-deceased Tom Heinsohn, an All-American for HC in the mid-1950s after the Crusaders posted their last NCAA playoff victory in 1953. "Political correctness. Gimme a break." It's unfortunate Heinsohn was no longer around to chime in on smug shark Mark Cuban and other language/thought police poohbahs. Heinsohn might have encouraged patriotic Texan fans attending Dallas Mavericks home games to put their hands on hearts and spontaneously sing National Anthem. Apparently, not enough folks around Valparaiso boasted the acorns to push back before school switched its nickname from Crusaders to Beacons.

Previous schools failing to show sufficient spunk and making politically-correct decisions by switching their supposedly demeaning and highly-insensitive nicknames were Arkansas State (changed from Indians to Red Wolves), Colgate (Red Raiders to Raiders), Dartmouth (Indians to Big Green), Eastern Michigan (Hurons to Eagles), Louisiana-Monroe (Indians to Warhawks), Marquette (Warriors to Golden Eagles), Massachusetts (Redmen to Minutemen), Miami of Ohio (Redskins to RedHawks), North Dakota (Fighting Sioux to Fighting Hawks), Oklahoma City (Chiefs to Stars), Quinnipiac (Braves to Bobcats), St. John's (Redmen to Red Storm), Seattle (Chieftains to Redhawks), Siena (Indians to Saints), Southeast Missouri State (Indians to Redhawks) and Stanford (Indians to Cardinal). What is the infatuation with Redhawks, anyway?

For those insensitive louts non-pulsed by an offensive holier-than-thou victimization obsession resembling the Washington Redskins cowering in corner because of cancel culture, are they to feel "new normal" shame at the extent of the alleged discrimination? Rather than bow to pressure like MLB's Cleveland Indians franchise, many traditional observers hope the following "Last of the Mohegans" remain steadfast and retain their time-honored monikers: Alcorn State (Braves), Bradley (Braves), Central Michigan (Chippewas), Florida State (Seminoles), Illinois (Fighting Illini), Utah (Utes) and William & Mary (Tribe).

If not, you run the risk of left-wing zealots from PETA (unless they are card-carrying members of the parallel universe People for Eating Tasty Animals) and the Bird Lovers International crowd possibly feeling empowered to capitalize on this catalyst for constructive social change by making it a heartless foul to have any nickname referencing a precious animal or fowl. What was the cumulative cost for nickname changes and how many mental midgets did it take at the NCAA to concoct this colossal caricature intervention? No wonder it's so easy to ridicule the governing body with a name-calling barrage. In the aftermath of authentic turmoil across the country at so-called elite institutions, many think there are more significant issues in intercollegiate athletics such as academic integrity and athletes assaulting females requiring correction from the NCAA rather than where transgenders go to bathroom and giving a selective outrage forum to pious pinheads manufacturing a mascot/nickname problem that really didn't exist to any meaningful degree.

CollegeHoopedia.com has conducted significant research on DI school nickname changes over the years and the origin of unusual DI school nicknames. Check the summaries and decide how critical the issue is for yourself as we strive to survive in Liberal-land's weak-kneed Fantasy World full of "green" gestapos and having National Guard troops sleep on cold pavement in DC swamp. Many misplaced monologues consumed with climate-change collective salvation mockingly hide behind widows and orphans while pointedly picking on concerned bible-clinging Christians rather than marauding Muslims. Don't you think right-thinking Americans, seeking terrorist control; not gun control or climate control, need to turn up the heat to find brave "warriors" to combat big-tech censors or even "contain" authentic savages destroying Democrat-governed municipalities?

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle January 25 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 player George Martin making a name for himself on January 25 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 25

  • New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) tackled John Elway for a safety in 39-20 win against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI following 1986 season.

Virgin Territory: Auburn Achieves National #1 Ranking First Time in History

A total of 32 current power-conference members are left failing to secure national #1 acclaim in their history after Auburn achieved the feat. Purdue ascended to #1 for first time earlier this season although the Boilermakers' reign didn't last long because of loss at the buzzer at Rutgers, which is one of the blemished 32. Every Power 6 Conference member has been included in an AP national ranking since the 2007-08 campaign with nearly 75% of them (24) ranking among top 12 teams in that span.

Georgia (24th in 2010-11) and Nebraska (21st in 2014-15) are the only elite schools in last 15 years not to reach the Top 20. Nebraska and Northwestern (19th in 2017-18 and 2020-21) are the only power-league members failing to rank among nation's top 15 teams at some point thus far in the 21st Century.

The only one of the aforementioned 32 power-league institutions never placing among the Top 10 at some juncture is Texas Christian (best ranking is 12th during 1951-52 campaign). Auburn secured a #2 ranking in four seasons (1958-59, 1998-99, 1999-00 and earlier this campaign) before reaching the pinnacle. The segregation-shackled Tigers might have reached the ratings summit 50 years ago if they had successfully recruited in-state products Artis Gilmore, Travis Grant and Bud Stallworth. Eleven of the following power-league members have been national bridesmaid (with Maryland settling in at #2 in seven different seasons including four straight years in mid-1970s) since AP poll was introduced midway through 1948-49:

Non-#1 School Power Conference(s) Best AP Ranking
Arizona State Border/WAC/Pac-12 #3 in 1962-63 and 2017-18
Boston College Big East/ACC #3 in 2004-05
Butler Mid-American/Horizon League/Atlantic 10/Big East #5 in 2019-20
California Pac-12 #2 in 1959-60
Clemson Southern/ACC #2 in 1996-97
Colorado Big Eight/Big 12/Pac-12 #6 in 1962-63
Creighton Missouri Valley/Big East #7 in 2016-17 and 2020-21
Florida State Metro/ACC #2 in 1972-73
Georgia SEC #10 in 1983-84
Iowa State Big Eight/Big 12 #3 in 1956-57
Louisiana State SEC #2 in 1980-81 and 1989-90
Maryland Southern/ACC/Big Ten #2 in 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1998-99, 2001-02 and 2015-16
Miami (Fla.) Big East/ACC #2 in 2012-13
Minnesota Big Ten #2 in 1996-97
Mississippi SEC #10 in 1997-98
Mississippi State SEC #3 in 1958-59
Nebraska Big Eight/Big 12/Big Ten #8 in 1965-66
Northwestern Big Ten #6 in 1958-59
Oregon Pac-12 #4 in 2016-17
Penn State Atlantic 10/Big Ten #9 in 1995-96 and 2019-20
Providence Big East #3 in 1961-62 and 1965-66
Rutgers Middle Atlantic/Atlantic 10/Big East/Big Ten #3 in 1975-76
Southern California Pac-12 #2 in 1970-71
Texas A&M SWC/Big 12/SEC #5 in 2015-16 and 2017-18
Texas Christian SWC/WAC/C-USA/Mountain West/Big 12 #12 in 1951-52
Texas Tech Border/SWC/Big 12 #6 in 2017-18
Utah Skyline/WAC/Mountain West/Pac-12 #2 in 1954-55 and 1996-97
Vanderbilt SEC #2 in 1965-66
Virginia Tech Southern/Metro/Atlantic 10/Big East/ACC #8 in 1995-96
Washington Pac-12 #2 in 1952-53
Washington State Pac-12 #4 in 2007-08
Xavier Midwestern Collegiate/Atlantic 10/Big East #3 in 2017-18

NOTE: AP rankings included only top 10 from 1961-62 through 1967-68 and increased from 20 to 25 schools in 1989-90.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 24 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 24 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 24

  • QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) accounted for all three of the Cincinnati Bengals' three touchdowns (two passing/one rushing in second half) in a 26-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI following 1981 season.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (played for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs) shared the NFL Pro Bowl MVP award following 1970 season.

  • Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 49-15 setback against the Charlotte Panthers in NFC championship game following 2015 season.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 23 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 NCAA DI basketball players Rodney Harrison (Western Illinois) and Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) making a name for themselves on January 23 in conference championship games following 2004 season:

JANUARY 23

  • New England Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) returned an interception 87 yards for touchdown in 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2004 campaign.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-10 NFC Championship win against the Atlanta Falcons following 2004 season.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 22 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 22 in football at the professional level (especially Green Bay Packers defense in NFC championship contest following 2016 season):

JANUARY 22

  • Green Bay Packers CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) had four tackles in a 44-21 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC championship game following 2016 season. Packers LB 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) chipped in with two tackles.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 21 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 21 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 21

  • TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) opened the Jacksonville Jaguars' scoring with a touchdown reception in 24-20 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship following 2017 season.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII following 1978 season.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 20 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 20 in playoff football at the professional level:

JANUARY 20

  • San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) had a playoff career-high seven pass receptions in 21-12 AFC championship game setback against the New England Patriots following 2007 season.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) had eight pass receptions - including touchdown - in a 28-24 NFC championship game setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2012 season.

  • DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) had an interception in his third consecutive playoff game to help the New York Giants reach Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season.

  • St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had two interceptions, returning one 34 yards for a touchdown, in 45-17 NFC divisional-round win against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 campaign.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 19 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 19 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 19

  • 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 second-half touchdowns in a 37-20 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship contest following 2019 season.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 33-19 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Chicago Bears following 2001 season.

  • 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) had playoff career-high eight pass receptions in a 26-16 AFC championship game win against the New England Patriots following 2013 season.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 18 Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 18 in football at the professional level (especially for Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X):

JANUARY 18

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had a pass reception in 21-17 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X following 1975 season. Cowboys WR Percy Howard (All-OVC selection as senior averaged 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Austin Peay from 1972-73 through 1974-75) caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in fourth quarter. Staubach threw two TD passes in the game.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 32-25 NFC championship game setback against the Arizona Cardinals following 2008 season.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) had a game-high 90 receiving yards in 24-14 AFC championship game setback against the New England Patriots following 2003 season.

MLK's Birthday and Black History Month Trigger Memories of Historic Hoopers

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." - Abraham Lincoln

Unless you're a devotee of Congressional Odd Squad, #MSLSD host Joy-less Reid or ex-#Dimorat presidential candidate Mr. Groper (a/k/a T-Bone's friend), certainly it's not a Jussie Smollett hate-crime to also claim "White Players Matter." But when Martin Luther King's birthday is celebrated and Black History Month is around the corner, accompanying these benchmarks are an assortment of facts and opinions acknowledging positive contributions African-Americans have made to the American landscape. Granted, Robin Roberts' lame circling-the-drain ABC interview of Smollett, Michael Vick's fondness for dogs plus traction-less presidential campaigns of Cory Booker and Kamela Harris aren't among them. Still, taking more than 100 years after emancipator Abraham Lincoln to make a nationwide transition, nowhere is that emphasis more evident than in an athletic world bereft of quotas and unconnected to alleged Oscar-snubbing. Rest assured civil rights stories such as high school coach Ken Zacher are plentiful. There clearly is more evidence of joyful honor in basketball arenas than in the Smollett-hoax political arena, where a tax cheat such as Al "Not So" Sharpton has been given a freeloader forum by Mess-LSD and brotherly backdoor free-pass entrance to previous POTUS' Oval Office (perhaps skinny-jeans version of H&R Block seminar from #AudacityofHype to set him lien free at last).

Letting authentic freedom ring a mite more than "The View" host-ettes and #Dimorat Divas' Odd Squad America Last policy, frisky billionaire Michael "Throw Them Up Against the Wall" Bloomberg and CNN's identity politics, every sports fan acknowledges the cultural significance of Jackie Robinson (180 degrees removed from smug Smollett's nutrition plan). A movie (42) debuted several springs ago regarding Robinson beginning his major league baseball career, but it is easy to forget there was a time when the now 75% black National Basketball Association was 100% white. Similar to remembering Dems largely opposed the 13th Amendment and Plagiarist Bi-dumb claiming he "got started" at Delaware State, it's also easy to forget how Robinson was instrumental in college basketball's "civil rights" movement.

Before Robinson arrived on the scene in the National League, however, there was Columbia's George Gregory, who became the first African-American to gain college All-American honors in 1930-31. In an era of low scoring, he was the team's second-leading scorer with a 9.2-point average. But he was proudest of his defense, and a statistic that is no longer kept: "goals against." In 10 games, Gregory held rival centers to only eight baskets. "That's less than one goal a game," he told the New York Times. "I think they should have kept that statistical category. Nowadays, one guy scores 40 points but his man scores 45. So what good is it?

"It's funny, but even though I was the only black playing for Columbia, and there was only one other black playing in the Ivy League - Baskerville of Harvard - I really didn't encounter too much trouble from opponents. Oh, I got into a couple of fights. And one time a guy called me 'Nigger,' and a white teammate said, 'Next time, you hit him high and I'll hit him low.' And we did, and my teammate, a Polish guy named Remy Tys, said to that other player, 'That's how we take care of nigger callers.'"

As pitiful as a New York Slimes dual endorsement and "courteous" #NannyPathetic's prayerful paper shredding, Gregory said the worst racial incident he encountered was at his own school. "After our last game in my junior year, the team voted me captain for the next season. Well, there was a hell of a battle when this came out. Columbia didn't want a black captain, or a Jewish captain, either, I learned. The dean was against it, and the athletic director was against it, and even the coach was against it.

"The coach told me, 'Get yourself together, Gregory, or I'll take your scholarship away.' They were worried that if we played a school in the South and met the other captain before the game, the guy would refuse to come out and it would embarrass the school. But the campus was split 50-50 on whether to have a black captain for its basketball team.

"The fight went on for three or four weeks. The school insisted that the team vote again. We did, and I won again. One of my teammates said, 'You forced the school to enter the 20th Century.'"

Harrison "Honey" Fitch, Connecticut's first black player, was center stage during a racial incident delaying a game at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for several hours in late January 1934. Coast Guard officials entered a protest against Fitch, arguing that because half of the Academy's student body was from southern states, they had a tradition "that no Negro players be permitted to engage in contests at the Academy." Eventually, UConn's coach kept Fitch on the bench the entire contest and never explained why.

The first black to appear in the NBA didn't occur until a couple of decades after Gregory graduated and Fitch transferred to American International. UCLA's first basketball All-American Don Barksdale, one of the first seven African-Americans to play in the NBA, was the first black U.S. Olympic basketball player (1948) as well as the first black to play in an NBA All-Star Game (as a rookie in 1952).

Inspired by the black labor movement in the 1930s, Barksdale said, "I made up my mind that if I wanted to do something, I was going to try to do it all the way, no matter the obstacles."

As a 28-year-old rookie with the Baltimore Bullets, he was paid $20,850 (one of the NBA's top salaries) to play and host a postgame radio show, but that notoriety also put extra pressure on him. Forced to play excessive minutes during the preseason, he sustained ankle injuries that plagued him the remainder of his four-year NBA career (11 ppg and 8 rpg).

Why play so many minutes? "It's Baltimore, which is considered the South," said Barksdale, who wound up back in the Bay Area as a well-known jazz disc jockey. "So the South finally signed a black man, and he's going to play whether he could walk or crawl." Barksdale boasted a decidedly different perspective than Kentucky freshman playmaker Ashton "Out For Personal Reasons" Hagans with his wad-of-cash video. What's the over/under as to whether Hagans' hubris was flashing $20,850?

Chuck Cooper, who attended Duquesne on the GI Bill, was the first black player drafted by an NBA franchise. "I don't give a damn if he's striped or plaid or polka-dot," were the history-making words of Boston Celtics Owner Walter Brown when he selected Cooper, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in six pro seasons. In Cooper's freshman campaign, Duquesne was awarded a forfeit after refusing to yield to Tennessee's refusal to compete against the Dukes if Cooper participated in a game just before Christmas.

In the 1955-56 season, the Hazleton (Pa.) Hawks of the Eastern League became the first professional league franchise to boast an all-black starting lineup - Jesse Arnelle, Tom Hemans, Fletcher Johnson, Floyd Lane and Sherman White. Arnelle (Penn State) and White (Long Island) were former major-college All-Americans.

As for the multi-talented Robinson, UCLA's initial all-conference basketball player in the 1940s was a forward who compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with the Bruins (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 and 11.1 ppg in 1940-41) after transferring from Pasadena (Calif.) City College. Continuing his scoring exploits, the six-time National League All-Star who spurred #42 uniforms throughout MLB was the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Red Devils' barnstorming team in 1946-47.

Seven-time All-Star outfielder Larry Doby, the first black in the American League, was also a college basketball player who helped pave the way for minorities. He competed on the hardwood for Virginia Union during World War II after originally committing to LIU. The four-month lead Robinson had in integrating the majors casts a huge shadow over Doby, who was the first black to lead his league in homers (32 in 1952), first to hit a World Series homer and first to win a World Series title.

With less than 10% of current MLB rosters comprised of African-Americans, Robinson clearly had much more of a longstanding impact on basketball than baseball. All of the trailblazers didn't capitalize on a Methodist faith like Robinson, but they did boast temperaments unlike "fohty-five" Congressional Black Caucus members or so such as #MadMaxine sitting on their hands or boycotting SOTU speech. How much did previously kneeling Ole Miss players resembling knucklehead #ColonKrapernick know about ground-breaking alumnus Coolidge Ball? Ditto impressionable Kentucky players while struggling to win half of its games. In deference to "firsts" and the number 42, following is a ranking of the 42 best players (including Ball) deserving applause for breaking the color barrier at the varsity level of a major university (*indicates junior college recruit):

Rank First Black Player School First Varsity Season Summary of College Career
1. Elvin Hayes Houston 1965-66 Three-time All-American averaged 31 ppg and 17.2 rpg in three seasons. The Hall of Famer led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding each year before becoming first pick overall in 1968 NBA draft.
2. Hal Greer Marshall 1955-56 The first African-American to play intercollegiate athletics in the state of West Virginia averaged 19.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg in three seasons. Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer led the Thundering Herd in rebounding as a junior (13.8 rpg) and senior (11.7 rpg) before becoming a 10-time NBA All-Star.
3. Charlie Scott North Carolina 1967-68 Averaged 22.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg in three seasons. He was a consensus second-team All-American choice his last two years.
4. Clem Haskins Western Kentucky 1964-65 Three-time OVC Player of the Year was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Averaged 22.1 ppg and 10.6 rpg in three varsity seasons. First-round NBA draft pick (3rd overall) in 1967.
5. K.C. Jones San Francisco 1951-52 Shut-down defender Jones, a member of the 1955 NCAA champion featuring Bill Russell and 1956 Olympic champion, averaged 8.8 ppg in five seasons (played only one game in 1953-54 before undergoing an appendectomy).
6. Walter Dukes Seton Hall 1950-51 Averaged 19.9 ppg and 18.9 rpg in three seasons. Consensus first-team All-American as a senior when he averaged 26.1 ppg and 22.2 rpg to lead the Dukes to a 31-2 record and NIT title. Played two full seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters before signing with the New York Knicks, who picked him in 1953 NBA draft.
7. Don Chaney Houston 1965-66 Defensive whiz Chaney, an All-American as a senior, averaged 12.6 ppg in three seasons and was a member of Final Four teams in 1967 and 1968.
8. John Austin Boston College 1963-64 Two-time All-American averaged 27 ppg in his Eagles' career. Ranked among the nation's leading scorers in 1964 (8th), 1965 (7th) and 1966 (22nd). Scored 40 points in a 1965 NIT contest. He was a fourth-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1966 NBA draft.
9. Mike Maloy Davidson 1967-68 Three-time All-American averaged 19.3 ppg and 12.4 rpg in his career. Southern Conference Player of the Year as a junior and senior. He was the leading scorer (24.6 ppg) and rebounder (14.3 rpg) for the winningest team in school history (27-3 in 1968-69). Selected by the Pittsburgh Condors in the first five rounds of 1970 ABA draft.
10. Cleo Littleton Wichita 1951-52 Averaged 19 ppg and 7.7 rpg in four seasons, leading the Shockers in scoring each year. School's career scoring leader (2,164 points) is the only four-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice. He was selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1955 NBA draft.
11. Wendell Hudson Alabama 1970-71 Averaged 19.2 ppg and 12 rpg in his career, finishing as Bama's fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. The two-time All-SEC first-team selection was a Helms All-American choice as a senior in 1972-73 before being selected in the second round of NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
12. Bob Gibson Creighton 1954-55 Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher was the school's first player to average at least 20 ppg in his career (20.2). Led the Bluejays in scoring (22 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a junior. Gibson, who said he couldn't eat or stay with the rest of the Bluejays' team on his first trip to Tulsa, went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.
13. Bill Garrett Indiana 1948-49 First impact African-American player in Big Ten Conference averaged 12 ppg while leading the Hoosiers in scoring each of his three varsity seasons. Paced them in rebounding as a senior (8.5 rpg) when he was an all-league first-team selection. Selected by the Boston Celtics in second round of 1951 NBA draft. Grandson Billy Garrett Jr. became Big East Conference Rookie of the Year with DePaul in 2013-14.
14. Earl Robinson California 1955-56 Three-time All-PCC second-team selection averaged at least 10 ppg each of three varsity seasons as 6-1 guard under HOF coach Pete Newell. Robinson averaged 15.5 points in four NCAA Tournament games his last two years, leading the Bears in scoring in two of the playoff contests.
15. Tom Payne Kentucky 1970-71 Led the Wildcats in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (16.9 ppg) in his only varsity season before turning pro. The All-SEC first-team selection had a 39-point, 19-rebound performance against Louisiana State before leaving school early and becoming an NBA first-round draft choice by the Atlanta Hawks.
16. Ron "Fritz" Williams West Virginia 1965-66 Southern Conference player of the year as a senior led Mountaineers in scoring and assists all three varsity seasons on his way to finishing with averages of 20.1 ppg and 6 apg. Williams, a two-time all-league first-team selection, was a first-round pick in 1968 NBA draft (9th overall).
17. James Cash Texas Christian 1966-67 SWC's initial African-American player averaged 13.9 ppg and 11.6 rpg in three seasons. Two-time all-league second-team selection led the Horned Frogs in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg) as a senior. Cash had six games with at least 20 rebounds.
18. John Savage North Texas 1961-62 Detroit product averaged 19.2 ppg in leading the Eagles in scoring all three of his varsity seasons with them. Three-time All-MVC selection was fifth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964 NBA draft.
19. Willie Allen Miami (Fla.) 1968-69 Averaged 17.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg in three seasons. Led Hurricanes in scoring (19.9 ppg) and rebounding (17.2 rpg) as senior. Fourth-round choice of the Baltimore Bullets in 1971 NBA draft played briefly for ABA's The Floridans during 1971-72 season.
20. Jerry Jenkins Mississippi State 1972-73 All-SEC selection as a junior and senior when he was the Bulldogs' leading scorer each year, averaging 19.3 ppg and 7 rpg in three seasons.
21. Stew Johnson Murray State 1963-64 Averaged 16.8 ppg and 12.9 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time fourth-leading scorer (1,275 points) and second-leading rebounder (981). He was a third-round choice of New York Knicks in 1966 NBA draft before becoming a three-time ABA All-Star.
22. Gene Knolle* Texas Tech 1969-70 Two-time All-SWC first-team selection averaged 21.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg in two seasons before becoming a seventh-round choice by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1971 NBA draft.
23. Joe Bertrand Notre Dame 1951-52 Averaged 14.6 ppg in three seasons, including 16.5 as senior when Irish finished year ranked sixth in final AP poll. He was 10th-round choice in 1954 NBA draft by Milwaukee Hawks. Served as Chicago's city treasurer as first black elected to citywide office. His grandson with same name played hoops for Illinois.
24. Hadie Redd Arizona 1953-54 Led the Wildcats in scoring (13.2 ppg and 13.6) and rebounding (7 rpg and 9.4) in both of his varsity seasons.
25. Almer Lee* Arkansas 1969-70 He was the Hogs' leading scorer in 1969-70 (17 ppg) and 1970-71 (19.2 ppg as All-SWC second-team selection).
26. John "Jackie" Moore La Salle 1951-52 Averaged 10.3 ppg and 12.1 rpg in two seasons. Second-leading rebounder both years for the Explorers behind All-American Tom Gola. Played three seasons in the NBA as first black player for Philadelphia Warriors.
27. Greg Lowery* Texas Tech 1969-70 Averaged 19.7 ppg in his three-year career. First-team All-SWC as a sophomore and senior and second-team choice as junior en route to finishing as school's career scoring leader (1,476 points).
28. Henry Harris Auburn 1969-70 Averaged 11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.5 apg in three-year varsity career. Standout defensive player was captain as a senior. He was an eighth-round choice by the Houston Rockets in 1972 NBA draft.
29. Tommy Bowman Baylor 1967-68 Two-time All-SWC first-team selection led the Bears in scoring (13.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg) in his first varsity season.
30. Ronnie Hogue Georgia 1970-71 Finished three-year varsity career as the second-leading scorer in school history (17.8 ppg). Hogue was an All-SEC second-team choice with 20.5 ppg as a junior, when he set the school single-game scoring record with 46 points against LSU. He was a seventh-round choice of the Capital Bullets in 1973 NBA draft.
31. Coolidge Ball Mississippi 1971-72 Two-time All-SEC second-team selection (sophomore and junior years) averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg in three seasons. He led the Rebels in scoring (16.8 ppg) and was second in rebounding (10.3 rpg) as a sophomore.
32. Carl Head* West Virginia 1965-66 Averaged 17.1 ppg and 7.9 rpg in two seasons. Paced the team in field-goal shooting as a junior (53.5%) and in scoring as a senior (20.5 ppg).
33. Perry Wallace Vanderbilt 1967-68 Averaged 12.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg in three varsity seasons. He was the Commodores' leading rebounder as a junior (10.2 rpg) and leading scorer as a senior (13.4 ppg). Fifth-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1970 NBA draft.
34. Don Eaddy Michigan 1951-52 The Wolverines' top scorer in Big Ten Conference competition as a sophomore (13.8 ppg) averaged 11.4 ppg in four seasons. Eaddy was an infielder who played briefly with the Chicago Cubs in 1959.
35. Garfield Smith Eastern Kentucky 1965-66 Averaged 14.5 ppg and 13.2 rpg in three seasons. He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as a senior when he finished second in the nation in rebounding (19.7 rpg). Third-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1968 NBA draft.
36. Tommy Woods East Tennessee State 1964-65 Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference choice averaged 15.3 ppg and 16.2 rpg in three seasons. He grabbed 38 rebounds in a game against Middle Tennessee en route to finishing third in the nation in rebounding as a sophomore (19.6 rpg).
37. Willie Brown Middle Tennessee State 1966-67 All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as junior and senior averaged 20.3 ppg and 7.4 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,524 points). He was a 10th-round choice by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 NBA draft.
38. Julius Pegues Pittsburgh 1955-56 Spent one year at a Detroit technical school before enrolling at Pitt. Averaged 13.6 ppg in three seasons, finishing as the school's second-leading scorer (17.6 ppg) as a senior behind All-American Don Hennon. Pegues, who scored a game-high 31 points in an 82-77 loss to Miami of Ohio as a senior in 1958 NCAA Tournament, was a fifth-round choice by the St. Louis Hawks in NBA draft.
39. Sebron "Ed" Tucker* Stanford 1950-51 Averaged 15.8 ppg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years. Paced the PCC in scoring as a junior (16.5 ppg) before becoming an all-league South Division first-team pick as a senior.
40. Collis Temple Jr. Louisiana State 1971-72 Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons. Ranked second in the SEC in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and seventh in field-goal shooting (54.9%) as a senior. Sixth-round choice by the Phoenix Suns in 1974 NBA draft had two sons play for his alma mater (Collis III and Garrett).
41. Charlie White* Oregon State 1964-65 Led the Beavers in rebounding (7 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (9.6 ppg) as a junior. The next year as a first five pick on the All-Pacific-8 team, he was OSU's captain and second-leading scorer (11.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.6 rpg), pacing the team in field-goal shooting (49.4%) and free-throw shooting (81.4%).
42. Ruben Triplett* Southern Methodist 1971-72 Averaged 14.9 ppg and 9 rpg in two seasons. Named All-SWC as a junior when he led the Mustangs in scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg). Scored a career-high 33 points at Oklahoma City.

MOST OVERLOOKED PIONEERS FOR MAJOR UNIVERSITIES

First Black Player DI School First Varsity Season Summary of College Career
Al Abram Missouri 1956-57 Averaged 11 ppg over four seasons. He led the Tigers in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg) and field-goal shooting (45%) in 1958-59.
Don Barnette Miami (Ohio) 1953-54 All-MAC first-team selection as a senior averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg during three-year career. Played for the Harlem Globetrotters in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Charlie Brown* Texas-El Paso 1956-57 Air Force veteran, a three-time All-Border Conference choice, led the league in scoring as a sophomore (23.4 ppg). He averaged 17.5 ppg in three varsity seasons, leading the Miners in scoring each year.
Earl Brown Lafayette 1971-72 Grabbed 21 rebounds in a game against Lehigh as a sophomore before averaging 11 ppg and 10.6 rpg as a junior and 13.7 ppg and 12.1 rpg as a senior. Ninth-round NBA draft choice by the New York Knicks in 1974.
Mario Brown* Texas A&M 1971-72 Averaged 13 ppg and 4.3 apg in two seasons, leading the team in assists both years.
Harvey Carter Bucknell 1970-71 Led the Bison in scoring and rebounding all three varsity seasons (14.1 ppg and 11.5 rpg as a sophomore, 14.8 ppg and 12.4 rpg as a junior and 14.2 ppg and 9.8 rpg as a senior).
Larry Chanay Montana State 1956-57 Four-year Air Force veteran finished his four-year college career as the school's all-time leading scorer (2,034 points). He led the Bobcats in scoring all four seasons. Chanay was a 14th-round choice by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 NBA draft.
John Codwell Michigan 1951-52 The Wolverines' second-leading scorer as a junior (10.5 ppg) averaged 6.4 ppg in three seasons.
Vince Colbert* East Carolina 1966-67 Averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg in two seasons. He led ECU in rebounding as a junior (7.1 rpg).
Robert Cox Loyola Marymount 1953-54 Averaged 16.9 ppg and 11.1 rpg in two seasons while leading the Lions in both categories each year.
John Crawford Iowa State 1955-56 Averaged 13.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg in three seasons. He led the Cyclones in rebounding all three years and paced them in scoring as a senior (14.1 ppg).
L.M. Ellis Austin Peay State 1963-64 The first OVC black player averaged 9.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg as a junior and 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg as a senior after transferring from Drake to his hometown school.
Ed Fleming Niagara 1951-52 Averaged 15 ppg and 8.7 rpg in four seasons to finish No. 1 on the school's all-time scoring list (1,682). All-time top rebounder (975) was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1955 NBA draft.
Larry Fry Mississippi State 1972-73 Averaged 13.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons.
Julian Hammond* Tulsa 1964-65 Averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg in two seasons. Led the Golden Hurricane in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a senior when he was an All-MVC first-team selection and paced the nation in field-goal shooting (65.9%). He was a ninth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1966 NBA draft.
Charlie Hoxie Niagara 1951-52 Averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg in four seasons to finish his career as the school's third-leading scorer (1,274). Second-leading rebounder (916) was selected by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1955 NBA draft before playing with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Eddie Jackson Oklahoma City 1962-63 Center averaged 12.3 ppg and 10 rpg in three-year OCU career after transferring from Oklahoma. He led the Chiefs in rebounding as a sophomore and junior. Selected in the sixth round by the San Francisco Warriors in 1965 NBA draft.
Leroy Jackson Santa Clara 1960-61 Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg in three seasons, leading the team in rebounding all three years. Named to second five on All-WCAC team as a senior when he averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
Curt Jimerson* Wyoming 1960-61 Forward averaged 14.6 ppg in two seasons, including a team-high 17.5 ppg as a senior when he was an All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection.
Junius Kellogg Manhattan 1950-51 Averaged 12.1 ppg in three-year career, leading the Jaspers in scoring as a sophomore and junior. Former Army sergeant refused bribe and exposed a major point-shaving scandal.
Charlie Lipscomb Virginia Tech 1969-70 Averaged 11.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the team in rebounding (10.4 rpg) and was its second-leading scorer (12.1 ppg) as a sophomore.
Jesse Marshall* Centenary 1968-69 Led the Gents in scoring (16 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) as a senior after being their second-leading scorer (15.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (10.2 rpg) as a junior.
Shellie McMillon Bradley 1955-56 Member of 1957 NIT champion averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.3 rpg in three varsity seasons, including a team-high 16.4 ppg in 1957-58. McMillon, who scored 42 points against Detroit, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team choice as a senior before becoming a sixth-round NBA draft choice by the Detroit Pistons.
Eugene Oliver* South Alabama 1972-73 Averaged 17.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years and setting a school single-game record with 46 points against Southern Mississippi.
Charley Parnell Delaware 1966-67 First-team All-East Coast Conference choice led the Blue Hens in scoring with 18.5 ppg.
Garland Pinkston George Washington 1967-68 Second-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) and rebounder (7.3 rpg) in his only varsity season for GWU.
Art Polk Middle Tennessee State 1966-67 MTSU's second-leading rebounder as a junior and senior averaged 12.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in three seasons.
Charley Powell Loyola (New Orleans) 1966-67 First African-American to play for a predominantly white college in Louisiana averaged 21.5 ppg in three-year career, finishing 13th in the nation with 26 ppg as a junior.
Larry Robinson* Tennessee 1971-72 Averaged 10.9 ppg and 8.8 rpg in two seasons. Led the Volunteers in rebounding and field-goal shooting both years. He was a 16th-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973 NBA draft.
Ron Satterthwaite William & Mary 1973-74 Averaged 13.2 ppg in four seasons. He led the Tribe in scoring as a sophomore and junior, averaging 17 ppg during that span. Guard was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection as a sophomore and second-team choice as a junior.
Oscar Scott* The Citadel 1971-72 Three-year Army veteran averaged 11.8 ppg and 7 rpg in two seasons. He led the Bulldogs in rebounding as a senior.
Dwight Smith Western Kentucky 1964-65 Three-time All-OVC guard averaged 14.6 ppg and 10.9 rpg in his college career. Led the Hilltoppers in rebounding as a sophomore (11.3 rpg) and as a senior (11.9 rpg). Smith was a third-round choice of the Los Angeles Lakers (23rd overall).
Sam Smith Louisville 1963-64 Third-round choice of the Cincinnati Royals in 1967 NBA draft averaged 9.2 ppg and team-high 11 rpg in his only varsity season with the Cardinals before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan.
Sam Stith St. Bonaventure 1957-58 Averaged 14.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg in three-year career. After All-American brother Tom Stith arrived the next season, they combined to average 52 ppg in 1959-60, an NCAA single-season record for brothers on the same team.
Harold Sylvester Tulane 1968-69 Averaged 12.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the Green Wave in rebounding as a sophomore and was its second-leading rebounder and scorer as a junior and senior.
John Thomas Pacific 1954-55 Averaged 15.1 ppg and 11.3 rpg in three years while leading the team in scoring and rebounding each campaign. Finished his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,178 points). He set UOP single-season records for points (480) and rebounds (326) in 1955-56.
Liscio Thomas* Furman 1969-70 Averaged 17 ppg and 9.9 rpg in two seasons. He led the Paladins in scoring as a junior (17.7 ppg) and was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1971 Southern Conference champion.
Solly Walker St. John's 1951-52 First African-American ever to play in game at Kentucky averaged 7.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg in three seasons. Member of 1952 NCAA runner-up and 1953 NIT runner-up. Led the team in scoring (14 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg) as a senior. Selected by the New York Knicks in 1954 NBA draft.
John Edgar Wideman Penn 1960-61 Two-time All-Ivy League second-team swingman led the Quakers in scoring as a junior (13.2 ppg in 1961-62) and a senior (13.8 ppg in 1962-63). The Pittsburgh native also paced them in rebounding as a junior (7.6 rpg).

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

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 17 in football at the professional level (especially San Diego Charger receivers Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson in playoffs following 2009 season):

JANUARY 17

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had eight pass receptions in a 17-14 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New York Jets following 2009 season. 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) had seven receptions for 111 receiving yards.

  • Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 16-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V following 1970 season.

Southern Discomfort: Possible Outcomes if Blacks Viewed First-Class Citizens

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - Martin Luther King

Cancel-culture considerations resulted in condemning an estimated 100 statues and monuments to white-guilt reparations rubble. Facing reality, such arcane activist analysis could be the only way for self-absorbed progressive outposts to stop superior Southern universities from dominating college football after former Confederacy institutions captured 16 of the last 17 gridiron national crowns (primarily with in-state recruits). After all, shouldn't the SEC and ACC be sanction shamed by self-loathing social scholars, if not disbandment purge, insofar as the first season Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina featured an African-American on their varsity basketball rosters wasn't until 1970-71 (two years after MLK was assassinated in Memphis)?

Could Auburn have been ranked #1 nationally 50 years ago? Truth be told, racially hung-up SEC and ACC incurred self-imposed performance penalties by failing to recruit regal in-state black prospects until Dixie denizens were finally tired of monumental hardwood horror. Pearl-of-wisdom memo to Auburn: The following droughts describe authentic self-regulation. It seems inconceivable but segregation-shackled Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech (W in 1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State (W in 1963), Tennessee, Texas A&M (W in 1969) and Virginia combined for a paltry three NCAA playoff victories during 22-year tourney famine from 1954 through 1975. Moreover, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida (1967), Georgia, Georgia Tech (1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech (1961) and Virginia Tech collaborated for an anemic total of three final AP Top 20 finishes in 20-season span from 1954-55 through 1973-74. Even colossus UK didn't win an NCAA Tournament title in 19-year span from 1959 through 1977.

For the record, ACC members in North Carolina all included black players on their varsity teams by end of the 1960s. Despite excluding much of the ACC, a trip into the what-if world of hoopdom can be fascinating. What might have been for principally football-dominated Southern schools if they weren't so narrow-minded waiting until the early 1970s to treat in-state African-American hoopers as equals? If not judged by color of skin, consider the following possible "started living (in basketball)" promised-land scenarios:

Power-Conference Schools Consequences for Shunning African-American Players What Might Have Been for Southern Schools?
Alabama (1970-71 was first season for black on varsity roster) and Auburn (1969-70) Alabama (no appearances from inception of NCAA tourney in 1939 until 1975) and Auburn (no appearances until 1984) were outsiders in regard to the NCAA playoffs. Each school managed only one AP Top 20 finish until the mid-1970s. Bama and Auburn wouldn't have combined for losing records in 1969-70 and 1970-71 if in-state All-American products Artis Gilmore (Jacksonville FL), Travis Grant (Kentucky State) and Bud Stallworth (Kansas) were on their rosters.
Arkansas (1969-70) No NCAA playoff victory in 28-year span from 1950 through 1977. No AP Top 20 finish until 1977. Hogs would have been much better than posting mediocre 13-11 record in 1962-63 if they boasted inside-outside combination of All-Americans Jim Barnes (Texas Western) and Eddie Miles (Seattle).
Florida (1971-72) The Gators had no NCAA tourney appearances until 1987. Only one AP Top 20 finish until 1994. UF would have far exceeded an 11-15 record in 1970-71 if Howard Porter (Villanova) and Truck Robinson (Tennessee State) manned forward positions.
Georgia (1970-71) and Georgia Tech (1971-72) Georgia (no appearances until 1983) and Georgia Tech (only one NCAA playoff appearance and victory until 1985) were non-factors in national postseason play. Only one AP Top 20 finish for either school until mid-1980s. Georgia and Georgia Tech wouldn't have incurred double digits in defeats in 1969-70 if they fortified frontline with Gar Heard (Oklahoma), Elmore Smith (Kentucky State) and Joby Wright (Indiana).
Louisiana State (1971-72) No NCAA playoff appearance or AP Top 20 finish in 24-year span from 1955 through 1978. Bayou Bengals wouldn't have compiled non-winning records in 1962-63 and 1963-64 if their frontcourt included Luke Jackson (Pan American), Bob Love (Southern LA), Cincy Powell (Portland) and/or Willis Reed (Grambling). LSU's initial campaign post-Pistol Pete Maravich in 1970-71 would have been much better than 14-12 if backcourt was buttressed by Fred Hilton (Grambling) and/or James Silas (Stephen F. Austin State).
Mississippi (1971-72) and Mississippi State (1972-73) Ole Miss (no appearances until 1981) and MSU (only two NCAA playoff appearances and one victory until 1995). Ole Miss didn't have an AP Top 20 finish until 1998. Doubtful both schools would have compiled losing records each season from 1967-68 through 1969-70 if frontcourters E.C. Coleman (Houston Baptist), Mike Green (Louisiana Tech), Spencer Haywood (Detroit), George T. Johnson (Dillard LA), Earnest Killum (Stetson FL) and Sam Lacey (New Mexico State) competed for them at some point during that subterranean span.
Clemson (1970-71) and South Carolina (1970-71) Clemson (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1980) and USC (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1971). Clemson had only one AP Top 20 finish through 1986. Teams could have thrived with inside-outside combination of Art Shell (Maryland-Eastern Shore) and Kenny Washington (UCLA) in mid-1960s and frontcourt featuring Gene Gathers (Bradley) and Clifford Ray (Oklahoma) in 1969-70 and 1970-71.
Tennessee (1971-72) Winless in NCAA playoff competition until 1979. Only one AP Top 10 finish in 20th Century. Paul Hogue (Cincinnati), Les Hunter (Loyola of Chicago) and Vic Rouse (Loyola of Chicago) were standouts for NCAA titlists the first half of 1960s. The Volunteers could have featured one of the finest frontcourts in NCAA history with James Johnson (Wisconsin), Charlie Paulk (Tulsa/Northeastern Oklahoma State), Rick Roberson (Cincinnati) and Bingo Smith (Tulsa) in 1966-67 and 1967-68. Rocky Top could have boasted one of the top backcourts in NCAA history in 1970-71 with Richie Fuqua (Oral Roberts) and Ted McClain (Tennessee A&I).
Texas (1969-70), Texas A&M (1971-72) and Texas Tech (1969-70) UT (only two NCAA Tournament appearances in 24-year span from 1948 through 1971), A&M (only one NCAA playoff victory until 1980) and TT (only two NCAA playoff victories until 1976) were inconsequential in postseason play for extended period. No AP Top 10 finish among trio until 1996. How potent of frontlines could SWC members have had from 1961-62 through 1964-65 choosing among Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M), Nate Bowman (Wichita), Mitchell Edwards (Pan American), Eddie Jackson (Oklahoma/OCU), McCoy McLemore (Drake), John Savage (North Texas State), Dave Stallworth (Wichita), Gene Wiley (Wichita) and John Henry Young (Midwestern State)?
Virginia (1971-72) and Virginia Tech (1969-70) UVA (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1976) and VT (only one NCAA playoff appearance until 1976) had little impact on postseason play until mid-1970s. No AP Top 20 finish for VT until 1996. College class of '69 could have been one of premier in-state recruiting groups of all-time with Charles Bonaparte (Norfolk State), Bob Dandridge (Norfolk State), Bill English (Winston-Salem State NC) and Skeeter Swift (East Tennessee State).

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

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, 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 who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 hoops 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 January 16 in football at the professional level (especially the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI):

JANUARY 16

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI following 1971 season. Staubach threw two TD passes in the game.

  • 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 27-14 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 2004 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1954 season.

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