They Had Game: "Oscar" Ali Designated Among 25 Greatest Actors of Century
March 10th, 2024 - 20:21
At least LeBron James didn't win Will Smith slap-happy woke award for vilifying law enforcement. Deceased Kobe Bryant, who didn't study film making in college because he went straight to the NBA from high school, won an Oscar six years ago for "best animated short" (Dear Basketball). Seven years ago, former Saint Mary's guard Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar and also won an Academy Award for his best supporting actor role as a Miami drug dealer named Juan in Moonlight. Among his credits was role as Remy Danton in House of Cards. Ali, named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, secured his second Academy Award for Supporting Actor stemming from his portrayal of Dr. Don Shirley in Green Book.
Ali, previously known as Hershal Gilmore, averaged 3.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game from 1992-93 through 1995-96 under coach Ernie Kent including 7 ppg as a senior. Said one of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century according to New York Times: "When I graduated, I no longer thought of myself as an athlete. Honestly, I kind of resented basketball by the end of my time there. I'd see guys on the team get chewed up, spat out, and I was personally threatened with being shipped off to the University of Denver. All in the name of wins and productivity."
While Plagiarist Biledumb tries to remain cogent as "windy" presidential actor by sniffing hair trying to ascend Stair Farce One, no one including Chris Rock seems to boast the credentials satisfying everyone to host the overtly-political Oscars these days although Dr. Fraudci and Karl Malone wannabe Jimmy Kimmel probably crave the visibility. Nonetheless, legendary Oscar Robertson would definitely be accurate in a rambling, self-absorbed speech to describe their game as inferior to his era. In deference to woke-inundated 96th Academy Awards this weekend, following is an alphabetical list of movie actors/directors nominees who "had game" as well-rehearsed college basketball players before becoming famous entertainers:
DAVID ADKINS, Denver
Comedian known as Sinbad had a show by that name on the Fox Network and was a lead actor in the movie Houseguest. He vaulted to TV prominence as a co-star on the hit series A Different World and later briefly hosted Vibe, a late-night talk show.
Adkins averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Denver in his varsity career from 1974-75 through 1977-78 when the Pioneers were classified as a major-college independent. He shot at least 50% from the floor all four seasons.
MARC BLUCAS, Wake Forest
Regular on Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes playing the role of Riley Finn, Buffy's one-time love interest. Co-starred in romantic comedy First Daughter as the guy the college-aged daughter of the President of the United States falls for before discovering things aren't quite what they appear to be on the surface.
Swingman averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.1 rpg for the Demon Deacons from 1990-91 through 1993-94. They appeared in the NCAA playoffs all four seasons.
LLOYD VERNET "BEAU" BRIDGES, UCLA
Actor with the hit movie Fabulous Baker Boys among his credits. He is the son of Lloyd Bridges and brother of Jeff Bridges.
The 5-9 guard averaged 0.6 ppg and 1.4 rpg for UCLA's 1960-61 freshman team compiling a 20-2 record. He was a frosh teammate of Fred Slaughter, the starting center for the Bruins' first NCAA championship team in 1964.
DONNIE BURKS, St. John's
Boyish-appearing Burks was known for his performances in Broadway musicals (Hair, The American Clock and The Tap Dance Kid). His roles in several movies earned favorable reviews - The Pawnbroker, Shaft and Without a Trace. He had an American soul album (The Swingin' Sound of Soul) released in Europe and was manager of a band called Entourage.
Playmaker averaged 7.6 ppg and 1.9 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Joe Lapchick after playing in high school under Lou Carnesecca. Burks appeared in 1961 NCAA Tournament against Wake Forest squad featuring All-American Len Chappell and eventual network analyst Billy Packer.
TED CASSIDY, Stetson
Actor played the role of Lurch in The Addams Family comedy television series before he died prematurely during a heart bypass operation in 1975.
The 6-9, 245-pounder played four seasons for Stetson in the first half of the 1950s after a mysterious brief stint at West Liberty State College. When his college career was interrupted one year because of academic problems, he served as a disc jockey for two different radio stations. Cassidy, a sophomore member of the Hatters' squad that participated in the 1953 NAIA Tournament, was their leading scorer (17.7 ppg) and rebounder (10.7 rpg) as a senior in 1954-55.
JIM CAVIEZEL, Bellevue (Wash.) Community College
Former Gap model played Jesus in Mel Gibson-directed The Passion of the Christ (2004) and was in Bobby Jones Stroke of Genius the same year. Also played the part of Slovnik in GI Jane (1997) with Demi Moore, Private Wit in Thin Red Line (1998), Catch in Angel Eyes (2001) with Jennifer Lopez, and Ashley Judd's husband in High Crimes (2002) with Morgan Freeman. In the TV drama Person of Interest on CBS, he played the role of Reese, a former member of the elite Special Forces who is now drinking heavily and at the end of his rope in New York City. In Sound of Freedom (2023), Caviezel played Tim Ballard, a former U.S. government agent who embarked on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia.
Bellevue coach Ernie Woods called Caviezel the hardest worker he had in 30 years. Caviezel's younger brother, Tim, played for the University of Washington, averaging 3.6 ppg in 1990-91 as a freshman and 4.2 ppg in 1991-92 as a sophomore before transferring to Long Beach State. Tim, a 6-7 swingman, subsequently transferred again to Western Washington, where Jim's wife, Kerri, ranks among the career leaders in five statistical categories for the women's basketball squad.
"Basketball taught me to train for every possible situation but always stay in the moment," Caviezel said.
CHEVY CHASE, Haverford (Pa.)
After a one-year stint on Saturday Night Live, Chevy quit to move to Los Angeles. Following mixed success in a variety of films, he became one of the biggest box-office draws in the U.S. in the 1980s with hits such as Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Vacation. One of his popular movie roles was as "Fletch" when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in a dream sequence.
Chase was a JV basketball and soccer player as a freshman in 1962-63 before transferring to Bard (N.Y.).
RAY RAY CHASE, Southern (La.)/Cal Poly-Pomona
Known for his roles in Good Girls (2017), Bad Comic (2019) and Murder in the Thirst (2019). He was an Improv performer at LA Connection Theatre.
The 6-8 Chase averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 2010-11 for Southern before averaging 1.3 ppg and 1.4 rpg with Pomona in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
NICK CHINLUND, Brown
Often cast as a gun-toting mercenary or smarmy bad guy. He got his start as Hatchett in the third installment of Mel Gibson's famed action franchise, Lethal Weapon, and played one of a gang of escaped super villains in 1997 air-disaster thriller Con Air. Chinlund also played a trigger-happy member of Denzel Washington's gang of corrupt cops in the award-winning police drama Training Day. He found himself again behind the business end of an automatic weapon in the 2003 war film Tears of the Sun with Bruce Willis, and played a bounty hunter pursuing Vin Diesel in the sci-fi action flick The Chronicles of Riddick. Usually a supporting actor, Chinlund go the opportunity to play the lead in two independent films - as a troubled priest in Sinner (named best actor in a leading role at 41st Annual Brooklyn Arts Council International Film & Video Festival) and as an amnesiac accused of spying in the thriller The Fifth Patient. Guest starred on The X-Files second-season episode Irresistible playing serial killer Donnie Pfaster. In 2000, he had a recurring role in two episodes of Buffy the Vampire.
Chinlund averaged 2.8 ppg in 10 contests in 1980-81 under coach Joe Mullaney before career was sidetracked by a shoulder injury.
MIKE CONNORS, UCLA
Real name of Armenian-descent actor, who had a hit TV series (Mannix) is Kerker J. Ohanian.
The 6-1, 180-pounder, nicknamed "Touch," averaged 4.6 ppg for UCLA's 1946-47 freshman squad compiling a 15-3 record.
JAMES DEAN, Santa Monica City College (Calif.)
Cultural icon of teenage disillusionment died at the age of 24 on September 30, 1955, in crash in his Porsche Spyder, which he owned for nine days. Social estrangement depicted by Dean was expressed in the title of his most celebrated film (Rebel Without a Cause/1955). After his demise, he became the first actor receiving a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor stemming from his role in East of Eden
"He was concise, authoritative, perceptive and alert to all that was around him (on the court)," community coach Samuel Crumpacker said. By the time Indiana native's freshman year was over, he transferred to UCLA to major in theater arts. "He was not a rebel," said Jim Grindle, a high school basketball teammate when Dean was the squad's leading scorer in all three sectional games his senior season. "Jimmy was an ordinary person with a tremendous amount of talent. A very good athlete."
DANE DiLIEGRO, New Hampshire
Actor as the Predator in the film Prey (2022).
The 6-9 DiLiegro averaged 6.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg from 2007-08 through 2010-11, leading the Wildcats in rebounding average all four seasons. His brother, Ross, was a seldom-used forward with Syracuse from 2003-04 through 2006-07.
MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN, Kankakee (Ill.) Community College/Alcorn State
Former bodyguard appeared in four films with Bruce Willis: Armageddon (1998; cast as Bear), Breakfast of Champions (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and Sin City (2005; cast as Manute, a powerful mobster). Breakout role occurred when he earned an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination in The Green Mile. Voiced a dog Sam in Cats & Dogs (2001) and played Colonel Attar, a gorilla, in Planet of the Apes (2001). Starred alongside his friend, The Rock, in The Scorpion King (2002) and was the criminal mastermind behemoth Kingpin in Daredevil (2003).
The 6-5 Duncan was a teammate of eventual Chicago State coach Kevin Jones with Kankakee's 31-4 squad in 1980-81 before enrolling at Alcorn State under coach Davey Whitney. An excerpt in the Braves' 1983-84 media guide said: "He adds size, speed and excellent jumping ability to the roster. A very hard worker, he'll add tremendous depth to the bench." After dropping out of college because of family problems, he spent several years digging ditches for a gas company in his hometown of Chicago. "He was a tough, physical player," Whitney told CBSSports.com. "He was undersized and didn't weigh much back then, but he was very strong and powerful. He was just tough. He'd knock guys around."
TIMON KYLE DURRETT, Alcorn State
Played role of Davis West in "Queen Sugar," a drama premiering in 2017 on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network.
The 6-6 Durrett averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 12 contests in 1995-96, making 9-of-11 field-goal attempts.
BILL ENGESSER, Southern California
Film actor's roles included Jerry Reed's bodyguard in Gator (1976), Richard/"Bigfoot" in The Secrets of Isis (1975), Krakow the Werewolf in House on Bare Mountain (1962) and a bit part as a man in a gym in The Nutty Professor (1963).
Seven-foot-plus Engesser collected eight points and five rebounds in four basketball games in 1958-59.
TRAVON FREE, Long Beach State
After trying stand-up comedy, he commenced a comedy-writing career that saw him write for The Daily Show and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. For a while, he was the only black writer on staff at the Daily Show, eventually winning two Emmys. He worked on movie called "Two Distant Strangers," earning him an Oscar for "Best Live Action Short Film," at the 2021 Academy Awards. An untitled action feature he wrote (romantic spy thriller set in Africa) starring Idris Elba was purchased at auction by Apple TV+.
The 6-7 Free averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg from 2003-04 through 2006-07 (medical redshirt in 2005-06). He made both of his field-goal attempts in four minutes of action in 2007 NCAA playoff setback against Tennessee. Free is one of the first bisexual players in NCAA history to come out of the closet.
DON GIBB, New Mexico/San Diego
Best known for his roles as the hulking, dimwitted outrageous fraternity brother "Ogre" in several installments of the Revenge of the Nerds film series, as Kumite fighter Ray Jackson in Bloodsport and as Leslie "Dr. Death" Krunchner on the HBO sitcom 1st & Ten. He left acting and went into the brewing business as co-owner of "Trader Todd's Adventure Beer. "
The 6-4 Gibb scored five points in two UNM basketball games in 1972-73 before transferring to USD and averaging 5 ppg plus 2.9 rpg with the Toreros in 1975-76 and 1976-77.
LOUIS GOSSETT JR., New York University
The son of a porter and maid, he turned to acting in high school after a leg injury temporarily impeded his hopes for a basketball career. Following his Broadway debut at 17, he attended NYU on an athletic scholarship while continuing to perform on TV and the stage. He won an Emmy in 1977 for his role in the TV miniseries Roots-Part I before winning an Oscar in 1982 as supporting actor in the box-office hit An Officer and a Gentleman.
Gossett played for NYU's freshman squad in the late 1950s.
JEROD HAYNES, Idaho
Actor and producer known for Project Blue Book (2019), The Village (2019) and Native Son (2019).
Chicago native was starter much of 2004-05 season when he finished runner-up for the Vandals in assists with 3 apg.
JASON JANEGO, Bucknell
Cofounder and co-president of RADiUS-TWC, the boutique arm of the Weinstein Company that was the first studio division dedicated to both multi-platform video on demand (VOD) and theatrical distribution. In February 2014, its film 20 Feet From Stardom won the Oscar for best documentary (feature). The company's first hit was 2012's Bachelorette.
Janego averaged 1.3 ppg from 1991-92 through 1993-94 under coach Charlie Woollum.
DENNY MILLER, UCLA
Miller became the first blond Tarzan in Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959), which lifted most of its footage from earlier Johnny Weissmuller movies. "Playing Tarzan is like being in a circus," says the 6-4 Miller on his web site. "Go ride that elephant, play with that chimp, swing on that vine. It's a terrific job for a guy who grew up to be a kid." Miller was a regular on Wagon Train in the early 1960s as Duke Shannon (his name was then Scott Miller) and played Juliet Prowse's husband in the TV series Meet Mona McClusky in 1965. For years, he was the "Gorton Fisherman," appearing in numerous commercials in his yellow rain gear.
Denny (7.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg in only eight games) and his brother Kent (7.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) Miller were on the same Bruins squad in 1958-59 (16-9 record under coach John Wooden) as teammates of decathlete Rafer Johnson and eventual Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum. Denny Miller spent three years in the U.S. Army between averaging 4 ppg in 1954-55 and 3.1 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1957-58.
NYAMBI NYAMBI, Bucknell
His most prominent acting role has been Samuel (Senegalese waiter) as original cast member of CBS sitcom "Mike and Molly." Played law firm investigator Jay DiPersia in the CBS All Access legal drama The Good Fight since 2017.
Played for Bucknell from 1997-98 through 2000-01. His most productive season was as a freshman when he collected 12 points and 7 assists in 17 games.
PAUL ROBESON, Rutgers
World renowned orator and baritone was a 6-3, 215-pound two-way end who finally was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Valedictorian when he graduated in 1919, learned to speak 15 languages and forge a glorious international career as a singer and actor. Earned law degree from Columbia, financing way through school by playing pro football with the Akron Pros and Milwaukee Badgers (scored two touchdowns). Robeson, son of a runaway slave, was an outspoken antifascist and champion of racial equality and socialist causes who remained enough of a supporter of the Soviet Union to get him blacklisted on Broadway. Founder of the Progressive Party played roles in 11 films and established works such as The Emperor Jones and Show Boat and became the first black to play Othello with a white cast.
Robeson was a center for Rutgers' basketball team.
LEON ROBINSON, Loyola Marymount
Goes by the stage name "Leon." He was a lover-boy idol in Waiting to Exhale, and played a similar character in Tim Reid's acclaimed Once Upon a Time ... When We Were Colored. Robinson was the ruthless killer, Kinette, in Cliffhanger and was Derice, the sweet and charming captain of the Jamaican bobsled team, in the surprise comedy hit, Cool Runnings. Leon appeared as a football teammate of Tom Cruise in All the Right Moves, and was the leading man as New York high school hoop sensation Earl (The Goat) Manigault in Above the Rim. Leon starred opposite Robin Givens in the TV mini-series, The Women of Brewster Place and was cast as Jesus in Madonna's controversial 1989 music video Like a Prayer. Received critical acclaim for his portrayal of two legendary singers in made-for-TV movies: David Ruffin in the 1998 NBC miniseries The Temptations and Little Richard in the self-titled 2000 NBC production based on the life of the rock-and-roll pioneer.
Robinson lettered for the Lions in 1978-79 when he averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.4 rpg. The Bronx native also attended Orange Coast Community College (Calif.).
NED ROLSMA, Iona/Tennessee-Martin
In CBS' "How I met Your Mother," he played the recurring bit role of Marcus Eriksen, brother of Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), one of the lead characters.
Seven-footer averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.8 rpg from 1997-98 through 2001-02.
RaMELL ROSS, Georgetown
Oscar-nominated cinematographer and director for his first movie, a 2018 documentary called Hale County This Morning, This Evening.
The 6-5 Ross averaged 1.7 ppg for the Hoyas from 2000-01 through 2004-05. Participated in 2001 NCAA playoffs (vs. Hampton as teammate of eventual NBA players Mike Sweetney and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje) and 2005 NIT.
LAMMAN RUCKER, Duquesne
Began his career on daytime soap operas As the World Turns and All My Children before roles in Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married? (2007), Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) and Meet the Browns (2008), plus its TV adaptation. In 2016, Rucker began starring as Jacob Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf. He also had a recurring guest spot on the fourth and final season of the hit UPN sitcom, Half & Half.
The 6-3 Rucker grabbed four rebounds in eight games in 1993-94.
TOM SELLECK, Southern California
Television and movie star won an Emmy in 1984 for his work in Magnum, P.I. He had a two-year stint (1974-75) on The Young and the Restless. His big-screen career got a major boost with the box-office hit Three Men and a Baby in 1987.
Selleck was a 6-4, 200-pound forward for Southern California. After serving as captain of the basketball team at Los Angeles Valley Community College, he scored four points in seven games for the Trojans in 1965-66 and was scoreless in three games in 1966-67. Excerpt from USC's school guide: "Agile and quick performer who adds depth on front line. Business administration major is good jumper with fine mobility. Rapidly improving shooter has impressed coaches with his hustle in practice. Needs to work on defense."
RON SHELTON, Westmont (Calif.)
Writer-director is synonymous with sports movies such as The Best of Times (high school football/1986), Bull Durham (minor league baseball/1988), White Men Can't Jump (street basketball/1992), Cobb (major league baseball/1994), Blue Chips (college basketball/1994), Tin Cup (golf/1996) and Play It to the Bone (boxing/1999). One of his non-sports films, Blaze, became a personal milestone for him as he went on to marry one of the stars, Toronto-born Lolita Davidovich. In Blue Chips, actor Nick Nolte was coach Pete Bell, who broke the rules in order to get the players he needed to remain competitive. "I played pickup into my 40s, right up until the time I made White Men Can't Jump," Shelton said. "I knew the game. I just loved that world."
Shelton scored 1,420 points in the mid-1960s, finishing the 20th Century among his alma mater's top 10 career scorers. He went on to play five seasons of Organized Baseball as a second baseman in the Baltimore Orioles' minor league system.
RON TAYLOR, Southern California
Best known for his roles as Lothar in The Rocketeer (1991) and Roc in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). He also played Al, the tall police detective whose face is never seen, in The Naked Gun (1988) and on the TV series Police Squad. Nicknamed "Tiny Ron," the seven-footer also appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the role of the Hupyrian alien Maihar'du.
Three-year USC letterman in the late 1960s was a second-round choice by Seattle in the 1969 NBA draft (18th pick overall). He played three seasons in the ABA before competing professionally in Austria in the 1970s before starting his film career.
SINQUA WALLS, San Francisco
Breakthrough role in 2012 as Sir Lancelot in ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time. He played the role of Shawn in the TV series Power and was cast in Clint Eastwood's biopic The 15:17 to Paris about the thwarted 2015 Thalys train attack. Walls has portrayed Don Cornelius in BET's American Soul, a fictionalized drama series based on long-running TV dance show Soul Train. Previously, he was known for appearing in Friday Night Lights and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Played in five games for USF in 2005-06.
MIKE WARREN, UCLA
Television star portrayed Officer Bobby Hill on hit series Hill Street Blues. Also appeared in the following movies: The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990), Heaven is a Playground (1991), Buffalo Soldiers (1997) and After All (1999).
The 5-11, 160-pound guard averaged 16.6 ppg in 1965-66 as a sophomore, 12.7 in 1966-67 as junior and 12.1 in 1967-68 as senior under coach John Wooden. He was an All-NCAA Tournament selection in 1967 and 1968 when the Bruins won national titles by combining for a 59-1 record. Warren was named to Converse and Helms All-American squads as a junior. In his senior season, he was named to the 10-man United States Basketball Writers Association All-American team and was a third five selection on the Associated Press and United Press International All-American squads. Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 14th round of 1968 NBA draft. Excerpt from school guide: "Named on the Academic All-American first team. One of UCLA's all-time great ballhandlers as well as being an outstanding driver and jump shooter."
DENZEL WASHINGTON, Fordham
Oscar award-winning actor Denzel Washington earned rave reviews for his performance as a high school football coach in Remembering the Titans. Most Hollywood buffs remember Washington's performances as a regular on the TV drama series St. Elsewhere while becoming a critically-acclaimed screen actor and major box-office draw in the 1990s with his performances in hit films Malcolm X, The Pelican Brief, and The Preacher's Wife. The hits continued with Man on Fire (2004).
But what the most ardent moviegoer doesn't know, let alone remember, is that Washington was a walk-on freshman basketball player for Fordham under coach P.J. Carlesimo. Washington probably was acting when he said "he had game" in describing his basketball ability in an interview about his movie role as the father of the nation's No. 1 player in director Spike Lee's 1998 release He Got Game.
SEAN WHITESELL, Northern Iowa
The "Oz" producer and co-executive producer of "The Killing" is a brother of talent agent/WME co-CEO Patrick Whitesell and former Loyola of Chicago and Buffalo coach Jim Whitesell. Sean began his career acting with notable roles including a recurring character on HBO's Oz (portrayed cannibalistic inmate Donald Groves until character's execution) and appearances on Homicide: Life On the Street.
Walk-on with nickname "S" collected two points and three rebounds with UNI in six games in 1982-83.
KEEDAR WHITTLE, Norfolk State
Comedian and cast member of the hit BET comedy, "Hell Date." Actor known for Inglorious Kill Dogs (2014), Future Man (2017) and Life After Beth (2014). Portrayed Sean in AMC's The Walking Dead and Nino in four episodes of the CW's One Tree Hill.
J.C. product collected 14 points and 10 rebounds in nine games as a 6-8 forward in 2000-01.
IAN WHYTE, Iona/Clarion (Pa.)
Carved out a career as film baddie (including playing part of iconic Predator in Sci Fi action film Alien vs. Predator). In 2010, Whyte played Sheikh Sulieman in Clash of the Titans. Portrayed various characters in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.
The 7-1 Whyte collected 9 points and 10 rebounds in 17 games for Iona in 1990-91 and 1991-92 before transferring to Clarion, where he averaged 6 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Power Outage: DePaul and Missouri Go Winless in Elite-League Competition
March 10th, 2024 - 9:55
Eight power-conference members in the last 11 seasons have gone winless in league competition after DePaul and Missouri suffered the indignity this campaign. Coach Chris Holtmann has a massive rebuilding job in Chicago. DePaul, sustaining 14 of its 20 league setbacks by at least 23 points, posted the biggest losing margin for a winless power-conference member in the last 69 seasons while Mizzou suffered half of its 18 reversals by fewer than eight points. The Blue Demons, incurring the same Big East Conference fate 15 years ago, joined Clemson (1954 and 1955), Georgia Tech (1954 and 1981), Northwestern (1991 and 2000) and Texas Christian (1964, 1977 and 2014) as current power-league schools in this dubious category multiple times since the formation of the ACC in 1953-54. Tech was winless in two different power leagues (SEC and ACC).
This is the third season in the last 70 years when two power-conference members were winless in league competition. Previous campaigns with a pair of winless power-league teams in that span were 1953-54 (Clemson and Georgia Tech) and 1985-86 (Colorado and Wake Forest). The ACC and Big East have had the most different members go winless in that stretch with four apiece. Clemson headlines the following list by largest average losing margin in power-league play of winless teams since the ACC's inaugural campaign in 1953-54:
| Winless Power-League Member | Conference | Season | League Mark (Average Losing Margin) | Overall | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | ACC | 1953-54 | 0-9 (29.3) | 5-18 | Banks McFadden |
| Clemson | ACC | 1954-55 | 0-14 (24.6) | 2-21 | Banks McFadden |
| DePaul* | Big East | 2023-24 | 0-20 (23.9) | 3-28 | Tony Stubblefield/Matt Brady |
| Georgia Tech | ACC | 1980-81 | 0-14 (23.6) | 4-23 | Dwane Morrison |
| Miami (Fla.) | Big East | 1993-94 | 0-18 (20.2) | 7-20 | Leonard Hamilton |
| Northwestern | Big Ten | 1999-00 | 0-16 (20.1) | 5-25 | Kevin O'Neill |
| Pittsburgh | ACC | 2017-18 | 0-18 (19.1) | 8-24 | Kevin Stallings |
| Oregon State | Pac-10 | 2007-08 | 0-18 (18.7) | 6-25 | Jay John/Kevin Mouton |
| Georgia Tech | SEC | 1953-54 | 0-14 (18.4) | 2-22 | John "Whack" Hyder |
| Texas Christian | Big 12 | 2013-14 | 0-18 (17.8) | 9-22 | Trent Johnson |
| Colorado | Big Eight | 1985-86 | 0-14 (17.2) | 8-20 | Tom Apke |
| Boston College | ACC | 2015-16 | 0-18 (16.9) | 7-25 | Jim Christian |
| Northwestern | Big Ten | 1990-91 | 0-18 (16.7) | 5-23 | Bill Foster |
| Texas Christian | SWC | 1976-77 | 0-16 (16.1) | 3-23 | Johnny Swaim |
| DePaul* | Big East | 2008-09 | 0-18 (15.8) | 9-24 | Jerry Wainwright |
| Wake Forest | ACC | 1985-86 | 0-14 (15.4) | 8-21 | Bob Staak |
| Texas Tech | SWC | 1989-90 | 0-16 (13.8) | 5-22 | Gerald Myers |
| Vanderbilt | SEC | 2018-19 | 0-18 (13.3) | 9-23 | Bryce Drew |
| Texas Christian | SWC | 1963-64 | 0-14 (13.1) | 4-20 | Byron "Buster" Brannon |
| Iowa State | Big 12 | 2020-21 | 0-18 (12.6) | 2-22 | Steve Prohm |
| Georgetown | Big East | 2021-22 | 0-19 (12.4) | 6-25 | Patrick Ewing |
| Oregon | Pac-8 | 1971-72 | 0-14 (12.3) | 6-20 | Dick Harter |
| Texas A&M | Big 12 | 2003-04 | 0-16 (11) | 7-21 | Melvin Watkins |
| Missouri | SEC | 2023-24 | 0-18 (10.7) | 8-23 | Dennis Gates |
| Southern California | Pac-8 | 1975-76 | 0-14 (9.6) | 11-16 | Bob Boyd |
| Providence | Big East | 1979-80 | 0-6 (9.5) | 11-16 | Gary Walters |
*DePaul won opening-round game in 2009 league tourney and lost 2024 tourney opener by one point.
Conference Kingpins: UConn, UNC and PU Combine For 110 League Titles
March 10th, 2024 - 8:41
There is a segment of fans thinking things have been bad over the decades regarding conference championships, but just remember there are fools out there who actually care about the gender of a plastic toy potato and want a grade school kid to be able to choose his or her gender while not allowing an individual's parents to select what school he or she attends.
By any measure, it shouldn't be a surprise that Connecticut, North Carolina and Princeton became titlists again this season as they are accustomed to capturing conference crowns. After all, the trio are among seven schools boasting at least 30 regular-season crowns.
Kansas' leads for most championships, collecting 64 regular-season conference titles in illustrious history despite having a streak of 14 straight Big 12 titles come to a halt five years ago. KU and Kentucky are atop the following list of schools with more than 25 regular-season major-college league championships:
- Kansas - 64 (13 of the 21 Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles from 1908 through 1928, 30 in Big Eight and 21 in Big 12)
- Kentucky - 54 in SEC
- Pennsylvania - 40 in EIBL/Ivy League
- North Carolina - 40 (7 in Southern and 33 in ACC)
- Princeton - 40 in EIBL/Ivy League
- UCLA - 36 in Pacific-12
- Connecticut - 30 (19 in Yankee and 11 in Big East)
- Western Kentucky* - 28 (19 in Ohio Valley and 9 in Sun Belt)
- Arkansas - 26 (22 in SWC and 4 in SEC)
- Purdue - 26 in Big Ten
- Texas - 26 (22 in SWC and 4 in Big 12)
*WKU's total is 42 if include 14 titles won in the KIAC/SIAA in the 1930s and 1940s. All current members of the SEC (except for Arkansas) previously were in the SIAA and six ACC members comprised a portion of the former alliance.
Runaway Winners: Colgate Brushes Away Patriot League Competition Again
March 9th, 2024 - 19:44
Six years ago, Virginia became the first ACC member since Duke in 1999-00 to win the regular-season league title by as many as four games in final standings. The most dominant club in conference competition this season again was Colgate (won Patriot League by six games).
No power league in the last 10 years has had a team finish atop conference standings by at least five games. Colgate is the first school to be so dominant in back-to-back regular-season conference competition since Stephen Curry-led Davidson to Southern Conference crown by six games in 2007-08. Following is a list of most dominant league titlists in that span finishing at least six games ahead in standings (listed in reverse order):
| Season | League Champion (Coach) | Conference | Mark | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Colgate (Matt Langel) | Patriot League | 16-2 | +6 |
| 2022-23 | Colgate (Matt Langel) | Patriot League | 17-1 | +6 |
| 2021-22 | Longwood (Griff Aldrich) | Big South/North | 15-1 | +7 |
| 2021-22 | Vermont (John Becker) | America East | 17-1 | +6 |
| 2020-21 | Navy (Ed DeChellis) | Patriot League/South | 12-1 | +6 |
| 2019-20 | New Mexico State (Chris Jans) | Western Athletic | 16-0 | +6 |
| 2017-18 | Buffalo (Nate Oats) | Mid-American/East | 15-3 | +6 |
| 2014-15 | Murray State (Steve Prohm) | Ohio Valley/West | 16-0 | +6 |
| 2013-14 | Wichita State (Gregg Marshall) | Missouri Valley | 18-0 | +6 |
| 2013-14 | Florida (Billy Donovan) | SEC | 18-0 | +6 |
| 2011-12 | Kentucky (John Calipari) | SEC | 16-0 | +6 |
| 2011-12 | Middle Tennessee State (Kermit Davis) | Sun Belt/East | 14-2 | +6 |
| 2009-10 | Butler (Brad Stevens) | Horizon League | 18-0 | +6 |
| 2007-08 | Davidson (Bob McKillop) | Southern/South | 20-0 | +7 |
How Have Elite Active Coaches Fared in League Tournaments Pre-Big Dance?
March 7th, 2024 - 14:18
For quality teams in upper-echelon leagues, conference tournament action is only the beginning of what they hope will be a long postseason experience culminating with memorable success in the NCAA playoffs. Because of their season-long excellence, quality power-league members are virtually immune to exclusion from the NCAA Tournament. Thus, along with trying to win the league tournament title, the squads are tuning up for the main event by jockeying for position in the NCAA bracket.
Despite winning event a year ago, Purdue's Matt Painter has struggled the most in league tournament play among a total of 16 active coaches appearing in more than a dozen NCAA tourneys by 2024. Following is a look at how these prominent mentors have fared in conference tournament competition through 2023 before attending the Big Dance a majority of the time:
| Celebrated Coach | Current School | League Tourney Mark Overall | Conference Tournament Summary Through 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Few | Gonzaga | 51-5 (.911) | all appearances in West Coast Conference Tournament |
| John Calipari | Kentucky | 55-15 (.786) | 14-3 (.824) in Atlantic 10 Tournament, 17-5 (.773) in CUSA Tournament and 24-7 (.774) in SEC Tournament |
| Rick Pitino | St. John's | 52-15 (.776) | 4-1 (.800) in ECAC North/ECAC North Atlantic Tournament, 14-7 (.667) in Big East Tournament, 17-1 (.944) in SEC Tournament, 8-2 (.800) in CUSA Tournament, 2-1 (.667) in American Athletic Tournament, 0-2 (.000) in ACC Tournament and 7-1 (.875) in MAAC Tournament |
| Bill Self | Kansas | 47-14 (.770) | 4-3 (.571) in Western Athletic Tournament, 5-2 (.714) in Big Ten Tournament and 38-9 (.809) in Big 12 Tournament |
| Thad Matta | Butler | 34-11 (.756) | 3-0 (1.000) in Midwestern Collegiate Tournament, 8-1 (.889) in Atlantic 10 Tournament, 23-9 (.719) in Big Ten Tournament and 0-1 (.000) in Big East Tournament |
| Sean Miller | Xavier | 27-11 (.711) | 7-3 (.700) in Atlantic 10 Tournament, 18-7 (.720) in Pac-12 Tournament and 2-1 (.667) in Big East Tournament |
| Dana Altman | Oregon | 45-23 (.662) | 0-1 (.000) in Southern Conference Tournament, 2-4 (.333) in Big Eight Tournament, 21-9 (.700) in Missouri Valley Tournament and 22-9 (.710) in Pac-12 Tournament |
| Tom Izzo | Michigan State | 34-19 (.642) | all appearances in Big Ten Tournament |
| Mick Cronin | UCLA | 25-14 (.641) | 6-1 (.857) in Ohio Valley Tournament, 6-6 (.500) in Big East Tournament, 9-4 (.692) in American Athletic Tournament and 4-3 (.571) in Pac-12 Tournament |
| Kelvin Sampson | Houston | 33-19 (.635) | 2-3 (.400) in Pacific-10 Tournament, 1-2 (.333) in Big Eight Tournament, 17-7 (.708) in Big 12 Tournament, 0-1 (.000) in Big Ten Tournament and 13-6 (.684) in American Athletic Tournament |
| Steve Alford | Nevada | 36-22 (.621) | 6-4 (.600) in Missouri Valley Tournament, 13-6 (.684) in Big Ten Tournament, 10-8 (.556) in Mountain West Tournament and 7-4 (.636) in Pac-12 Tournament |
| Fran McCaffery | Iowa | 31-20 (.608) | 4-2 (.667) in ECC Tournament, 7-5 (.583) in Southern Conference Tournament, 11-2 (.846) in MAAC Tournament and 9-11 (.450) in Big Ten Tournament |
| Bruce Pearl | Auburn | 18-13 (.581) | 5-2 (.714) in Horizon League Tournament and 13-11 (.542) in SEC Tournament |
| Rick Barnes | Tennessee | 42-33 (.560) | 2-1 (.667) in CAA Tournament, 5-5 (.500) in Big East Tournament, 2-4 (.333) in ACC Tournament, 22-17 (.564) in Big 12 Tournament and 11-6 (.647) in SEC Tournament |
| Jamie Dixon | Texas Christian | 20-19 (.513) | 12-9 (.571) in Big East Tournament, 3-3 (.500) in ACC Tournament and 5-7 (.417) in Big 12 Tournament |
| Matt Painter | Purdue | 15-15 (.500) | 1-1 (.500) in Missouri Valley Tournament and 14-14 (.500) in Big Ten Tournament |
Shooting Stars: NCAA Division League Tourney Single-Game Scoring Records
March 4th, 2024 - 20:52
Big Ten Conference Tournament record-setter Terrence Shannon Jr. of Illinois was immersed in off-the-court woes early this season. But did you know the individual boasting highest-scoring game in history in an NCAA Division I conference postseason tournament is a genuine gamebreaker-turned-lawbreaker? You can find him in prison serving a life sentence without parole after facing felony charges stemming from automobile hijacking, kidnapping the driver by holding a gun to his head and robbing a convenience store following a 3 1/2-year stint in prison for a probation violation. Well, it's Marshall guard Skip Henderson, who erupted for 55 points in the 1988 Southern Conference quarterfinals against The Citadel. Marshall (also C-USA) and Texas Tech (Big 12 and SWC) are the only schools to have two players hold existing league tourney scoring marks in two different NCAA Division I alliances.
After Stetson's Jalen Blackmon in Atlantic Sun this year, four mid-major leagues - America East (twice after three-time MVP Jameel Warney's 18-of-22 field-goal shooting six years ago for Stony Brook), Ivy League (Harvard's Bryce Aiken four years ago) and Horizon League (Detroit's Antoine Davis two years ago) - provide the only players setting existing NCAA DI conference tournament scoring marks in a tourney final. All-Americans Lennie Rosenbluth (North Carolina) and Cliff Hagan (Kentucky) accounted for the two of following DI league tourney scoring standards (ACC and SEC) standing since the 1950s:
| Conference | Round | Record Holder | School | HG | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| America East | Final | Taylor Coppenrath | Vermont | 43 | Maine | 3-13-04 |
| America East | Final | Jameel Warney | Stony Brook | 43 | Vermont | 3-12-16 |
| American Athletic | Semifinal | Russ Smith | Louisville | 42 | Houston | 3-14-14 |
| Atlantic Coast | Quarterfinal | Lennie Rosenbluth | North Carolina | 45 | Clemson | 3-7-57 |
| Atlantic Sun | Quarterfinal | Reggie Gibbs | Houston Baptist | 43 | Georgia Southern | 3-7-89 |
| Atlantic Sun | Final | Jalen Blackmon | Stetson | 43 | Austin Peay | 3-10-24 |
| Atlantic 10 | Quarterfinal | Tom Garrick | Rhode Island | 50 | Rutgers | 3-7-88 |
| Big East | Quarterfinal | Donyell Marshall | Connecticut | 42 | St. John's | 3-11-94 |
| Big Eight | Quarterfinal | Eric Piatkowski | Nebraska | 42 | Oklahoma | 3-11-94 |
| Big Sky | First | Randy Onwuasor | Southern Utah | 43 | Montana State | 3-7-17 |
| Big South | Quarterfinal | Chris Clemons | Campbell | 51 | UNC Asheville | 3-2-17 |
| Big Ten | Semifinal | Terrence Shannon Jr. | Illinois | 40 | Nebraska | 3-16-24 |
| Big 12 | First | Mike Singletary | Texas Tech | 43 | Texas A&M | 3-11-09 |
| Big West | First | Josh Akognon | Cal State Fullerton | 37 | UC Riverside | 3-11-09 |
| Coastal Athletic | Semifinal | Justin Wright-Foreman | Hofstra | 42 | Delaware | 3-11-19 |
| C-USA | Semifinal | Trey Freeman | Old Dominion | 42 | Western Kentucky | 3-11-16 |
| Horizon League | First | Antoine Davis | Detroit | 46 | Robert Morris | 2-25-21 |
| Ivy League | Final | Bryce Aiken | Harvard | 38 | Yale | 3-17-19 |
| Metro Atlantic | Quarterfinal | Kevin Houston | Army | 53 | Fordham | 2-28-87 |
| Mid-American | Semifinal | Ron Harper | Miami (Ohio) | 45 | Ball State | 3-8-85 |
| Mid-Eastern Athletic | First | Richard Toussaint | Bethune-Cookman | 49 | Morgan State | 3-11-03 |
| Missouri Valley | Quarterfinal | Hersey Hawkins | Bradley | 41 | Indiana State | 3-5-88 |
| Mountain West | Semifinal | Jimmer Fredette | Brigham Young | 52 | New Mexico | 3-11-11 |
| Northeast | Quarterfinal | Rahsaan Johnson | Monmouth | 40 | St. Francis (N.Y.) | 3-3-00 |
| Ohio Valley | Quarterfinal | Charles "Bubba" Wells | Austin Peay | 43 | Morehead State | 2-25-97 |
| Pac-12 | Quarterfinal | Klay Thompson | Washington State | 43 | Washington | 3-10-11 |
| Patriot League | Quarterfinal | Joe Knight | Lehigh | 45 | Colgate | 3-4-05 |
| Southeastern | Semifinal | Cliff Hagan | Kentucky | 42 | Tennessee | 3-1-52 |
| Southeastern | Quarterfinal | Melvin Turpin | Kentucky | 42 | Georgia | 3-8-84 |
| Southern | Quarterfinal | James "Skip" Henderson | Marshall | 55 | The Citadel | 3-4-88 |
| Southland | Quarterfinal | Kenneth Lyons | North Texas | 47 | Louisiana Tech | 3-10-83 |
| Southwest | Semifinal | Rick Bullock | Texas Tech | 44 | Arkansas | 3-5-76 |
| Southwestern Athletic | unavailable | unavailable | unavailable | TBD | unavailable | TBD |
| Summit League | Final | Bill Edwards | Wright State | 38 | Illinois-Chicago | 3-8-93 |
| Sun Belt | Quarterfinal | Dee Brown | Jacksonville | 41 | Old Dominion | 3-3-90 |
| West Coast | Quarterfinal | Tim Owens | San Francisco | 45 | Loyola Marymount | 3-2-91 |
| Western Athletic | Quarterfinal | Mike Jones | Texas Christian | 44 | Fresno State | 3-6-97 |
NOTE: Scoring outbursts by Fredette (Mountain West), Garrick (Atlantic 10), Gibbs (Atlantic Sun), Harper (Mid-American), Henderson (Southern), Houston (Metro Atlantic Athletic), Lyons (Southland) and Piatkowski (Big Eight) are also existing school single-game standards. Warney's output is highest for Stony Brook at DI level.
Crafty Cliff Clavin: Timeless Trivia Tidbits Trace Tantalizing Tournament Trails
March 4th, 2024 - 20:48
The amazing six-overtime thriller between Connecticut and Syracuse in the 2009 Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinals is relatively easy to remember. But one of the most titillating tourney tidbits among all leagues that gets overlooked because the Southwest Conference is defunct remains Texas Tech's Rick Bullock single-handedly outscoring the "Triplets" from Arkansas (Ron Brewer, Marvin Delph and Sidney Moncrief) by seven points, 44-37, when he set the SWC's single-game tournament scoring record in the 1976 semifinals.
As league tourney action commences, don't hesitate to capitalize on the links for the current Division I conferences cited below to refresh your memory about past champions and events. Following are many of the names and numbers of note only Cliff Clavin knows regarding previous conference tournament competition you can reflect upon as teams tune up for the main event by jockeying for position in the NCAA playoff bracket:
America East - The 1989 North Atlantic Tournament was dubbed the MIT (Measles Invitational Tourney) because all spectators were banned due to a measles outbreak. Delaware competed for 17 years in the East Coast Conference and never won an ECC Tournament championship. But the Blue Hens entered the AEC predecessor, the North Atlantic, in 1992 and won their first-ever title and went to the NCAA playoffs for the initial time. They successfully defended their crown the next year before closing out the decade with another set of back-to-back tourney titles.
American Athletic - In their lone season as members of the conference, Louisville (joined ACC) routed Rutgers (Big Ten), 92-31, in 2014 quarterfinals.
Atlantic Coast - Maryland, ranking fourth in both polls, lost in overtime against eventual NCAA champion North Carolina State, 103-100, in the 1974 final in what some believe might have been the greatest college game ever played. Three players from each team earned All-American honors during their careers - North Carolina State's David Thompson, Tom Burleson and Monte Towe plus Maryland's John Lucas, Len Elmore and Tom McMillen. The Terrapins had four players score at least 20 points - Lucas, McMillen, Owen Brown and Mo Howard - in a 20-point victory over 22-6 North Carolina (105-85) in the semifinals. The Terps, of course, didn't participate in the NCAA playoffs that year because a 32-team bracket allowing teams other than the league champion to be chosen on an at-large basis from the same conference wasn't adopted until the next season. Duke and/or Carolina participated in every tourney final from 1996 until 2021.
Atlantic Sun - Belmont hit 12-of-19 first-half shots from beyond the arc in the 2007 final against top seed East Tennessee State.
Atlantic 10 - Temple reached the tourney semifinals 19 consecutive seasons in one stretch. None of the top four seeds reached the semifinals in 2024.
Big East - St. John's doesn't seem to have any advantage at Madison Square Garden. It lost five consecutive tourney games on its homecourt by an average margin of 11.4 points from 1987 through 1991. DePaul won opening-round league tourney contest in 2009 against Cincinnati after going winless in conference competition during regular season (0-18).
Big Sky - Montana, capitalizing on a homecourt advantage, overcame a jinx by winning back-to-back tournament titles in 1991 and 1992. The Grizzlies had just two losing regular-season league records from 1976 through 1990, but they didn't win the tournament title in that span, losing the championship game five times from 1978 through 1984.
Big South - The No. 1 seed won this unpredictable tourney only five times in the first 17 years. Radford failed to reach the postseason tournament final for nine years until capturing the event in 1998.
Big Ten - Illinois won as many games in the 1999 tourney as the Illini did in regular-season conference competition that season (3-13). Northwestern, en route to its initial NCAA playoff appearance, scored 31 unanswered points in the first half of a 2017 quarterfinal game against Rutgers.
Big 12 - Kansas won the first three championship games from 1997 through 1999 by at least 14 points. No Texas-based member won tourney title until the Longhorns in 2021.
Big West - Pacific didn't compile a winning league record from 1979 through 1992, but the Tigers climaxed three consecutive appearances in the tournament semifinals by advancing to the '92 championship game.
Coastal Athletic - Navy, seeded No. 8 in 1991 in its last year in the tournament before joining the Patriot League, upset top seed James Madison in overtime, 85-82, in the opening round.
Conference USA - Three of four C-USA Tournament champions from 1997 through 2000 won four games in four days. Cincinnati captured six league tournament titles in seven years from 1992 through 1998 in the Great Midwest and C-USA.
Horizon League - The first two tournament winners (Oral Roberts '80 and Oklahoma City '81) of the league's forerunner, the Midwestern City, subsequently shed Division I status and de-emphasized to the NAIA level. ORU, which also won the crown in 1984, returned to Division I status in 1993-94. Butler lost its first 12 games in the tourney until breaking into the win column in 1992.
Ivy League - Harvard aspired to become the fourth different member to win the conference's postseason tournament in the first four years of the event until the alliance tucked tail and ran, cancelling the event due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
Metro Atlantic Athletic - Eight different schools won the tournament title in an eight-year span from 1992 through 1999.
Mid-American - Bowling Green never has won the MAC Tournament. John Whorton, tourney MVP in 1999 when guiding Kent State to its initial NCAA playoff appearance, won $1.3 million with his wife in late 2016 on a NBC game show, "The Wall," created and produced by Akron native LeBron James.
Mid-Eastern Athletic - North Carolina A&T won seven consecutive titles from 1982 through 1988. The Aggies defeated Howard in the championship game each of the first six years of their streak with the middle four of them decided by a total of only 17 points.
Missouri Valley - Indiana State won only two of its next 20 MVC tourney games after All-American Larry Bird led the Sycamores to the 1979 title.
Mountain West - Not once has Air Force reached the championship game of the WAC or Mountain West.
Northeast - The final pitted the top two seeds against each other 11 times in a 13-year span from 1983 through 1995.
Ohio Valley - Former member Western Kentucky reached the championship game in eight of the OVC's first 10 tourneys. Tennessee Tech won only one tournament game from 1975 through 1992.
Pacific-12 - Arizona won the last three tourney finals from 1988 through 1990 by a minimum of 16 points before the league discontinued the event until reviving it in 2002.
Patriot League - No seed worse than third reached the championship game in the first 20 years of event from 1991 through 2010.
SEC - Seven of the 13 tourney MVPs from 1979 through 1991 didn't play for the champion. One of them, LSU's John Williams, didn't even compete in the 1986 title game. Although Kentucky standout center Alex Groza saw limited action in the 1947 tournament because of a back injury, the Wildcats cruised to victories over Vanderbilt (98-29), Auburn (84-18), Georgia Tech (75-53) and Tulane (55-38). UK was also without Converse All-American guard Jack Parkinson (serving in the military), but the five-man all-tourney team was comprised of nothing but Wildcats - forwards Jack Tingle and Joe Holland, center Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones and guards Ken Rollins and Ralph Beard. UK (24) has won more than half of the SEC's tourneys.
Southern - Furman's Jerry Martin, an outfielder who hit .251 in 11 years with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals and New York Mets from 1974 through 1984, was named MVP in the 1971 tournament after the 6-1 guard led the Paladins to the title with 22-, 36- and 19-point performances to pace the tourney in scoring. Two years earlier, former Davidson coach Bob McKillop scored three points for East Carolina against the Lefty Driesell-coached Wildcats in the 1969 SC Tournament championship game.
Southland - North Texas State's Kenneth Lyons outscored Louisiana Tech's Karl Malone, 47-6, when Lyons established a still existing single-game scoring record in the 1983 tournament quarterfinals. Malone led the SLC in rebounding (10.3 rpg) and steals (1.9 spg) that season as a freshman before going on to score more than 30,000 points in the NBA. Two years earlier, McNeese State won a first-round game after going winless in regular-season conference competition.
SWAC - Regular-season champion Grambling State lost by 50 points to Southern (105-55) in the 1987 final. An interesting twist that year was the fact Bob Hopkins, Grambling's first-year coach, had coached Southern the previous three seasons.
Summit League - The first tournament final in 1984 featured two teams with losing league records in regular-season competition (Western Illinois and Cleveland State).
Sun Belt - South Alabama's stall didn't prevent the Jaguars from losing to New Orleans, 22-20, on Nate Mills' last-second jumper in the 1978 final. The next season, the Sun Belt became the first league to experiment with a 45-second shot clock. The four different schools that accounted for the participants in six consecutive finals from 1980 through 1985 went on to join other conferences - UAB, Old Dominion, South Florida and Virginia Commonwealth. Two-time champion Charlotte also abandoned ship.
West Coast - Gonzaga has participated in tourney final for the last 26 years from 1998 through 2023. The top two seeds didn't meet in the championship game until 2000. The most tragic moment in the history of any conference tournament occurred in the semifinals of the 1990 event at Loyola Marymount when Hank Gathers, the league's all-time scoring leader and a two-time tourney MVP, collapsed on his home court during the Lions' game with Portland. He died later that evening and the tournament was suspended. The Lions earned the NCAA Tournament bid because of their regular-season crown and advanced to the West Regional final behind the heroics of Bo Kimble, who was Gathers' longtime friend from Philadelphia.
Western Athletic - The tourney's biggest upset occurred in 1990 when No. 9 seed Air Force defeated No. 1 seed Colorado State in the quarterfinals, 58-51. Hawaii's Carl English, averaging 3.9 points per game as a freshman during the regular season, had a season-high 25 in a 78-72 overtime victory against host Tulsa in the 2001 final.
Misplaced Priorities: MSU Has History of Failure Living Up to Preseason Hype
March 3rd, 2024 - 9:19
Michigan State, incurring at least 13 defeats for the fourth consecutive season, finished out of the AP's Top 20 for the fourth time thus far this century despite the Spartans' ranking among the preseason Top 5. Boasting only two victories against Big Ten Conference teams with a winning league record (Illinois and Northwestern), they clearly were this campaign's biggest disappointment after ranking 4th in the preseason.
There are additional such tarnished squads failing to live up to enormous preseason hype. The previous 24 teams in this great-expectations category incurred at least double digits in defeats. Following is a chronological list of the first 28 clubs included among preseason Top 5 selections since 1968-69 but finishing out of the AP's final Top 20 poll:
| Preseason Top 5 Team | Season | Preseason AP Ranking | Coach | Record | Top Players For Disappointing Squad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 1968-69 | 4th | Johnny Dee | 20-7 | Austin Carr, Bob Arnzen, Bob Whitmore, Dwight Murphy, Collis Jones and Sid Catlett |
| Purdue | 1969-70 | 3rd | George King | 18-6 | Rick Mount, Larry Weatherford, George Faerber, Bob Ford, William Franklin and Tyrone Bedford |
| Southern California | 1971-72 | 3rd | Bob Boyd | 16-10 | Paul Westphal, Joe Mackey, Ron Riley, Dan Anderson and Mike Westra |
| Florida State | 1972-73 | 2nd | Hugh Durham | 18-8 | Reggie Royals, Lawrence McCray, Otis Cole, Benny Clyde and Otis Johnson |
| Indiana | 1976-77 | 5th | Bob Knight | 14-13 | Kent Benson, Mike Woodson, Wayne Radford and Derek Holcomb |
| Kansas | 1978-79 | 5th | Ted Owens | 18-11 | Darnell Valentine, Paul Mokeski, John Crawford, Wilmore Fowler and Tony Guy |
| DePaul | 1984-85 | 3rd | Joey Meyer | 19-10 | Tyrone Corbin, Kenny Patterson, Dallas Comegys, Marty Embry, Tony Jackson and Kevin Holmes |
| Indiana | 1984-85 | 4th | Bob Knight | 19-14 | Steve Alford, Uwe Blab, Stew Robinson, Dan Dakich, Delray Brooks and Daryl Thomas |
| Louisville | 1986-87 | 2nd | Denny Crum | 18-14 | Herbert Crook, Pervis Ellison, Tony Kimbro, Mark McSwain, Keith Williams, Kenny Payne and Felton Spencer |
| Michigan State | 1990-91 | 4th | Jud Heathcote | 19-11 | Steve Smith, Matt Steigenga, Mike Peplowski and Mark Montgomery |
| Clemson | 1997-98 | 5th | Rick Barnes | 18-14 | Greg Buckner, Terrell McIntyre, Harold Jamison and Tony Christie |
| Auburn | 1999-00 | 4th | Cliff Ellis | 24-10 | Chris Porter, Doc Robinson, Scott Pohlman, Daymeon Fishback, Mamadou N'diaye and Mack McGadney |
| UCLA | 2001-02 | 5th | Steve Lavin | 21-12 | Jason Kapono, Billy Knight, Matt Barnes, Dan Gadzuric and T.J. Cummings |
| Arizona | 2003-04 | 4th | Lute Olson | 20-10 | Hassan Adams, Salim Stoudamire, Channing Frye, Andre Iguodala and Mustafa Shakur |
| Michigan State | 2003-04 | 3rd | Tom Izzo | 18-12 | Paul Davis, Chris Hill, Kelvin Torbert, Maurice Ager and Alan Anderson |
| Missouri | 2003-04 | 5th | Quin Snyder | 16-14 | Arthur Johnson, Rickey Paulding, Linas Kleiza, Jimmy McKinney, Travon Bryant and Jason Conley |
| Georgia Tech | 2004-05 | 3rd | Paul Hewitt | 20-12 | Jarrett Jack, B.J. Elder, Will Bynum, Luke Schenscher and Isma'll Muhammad |
| Michigan State | 2005-06 | 4th | Tom Izzo | 22-12 | Maurice Ager, Paul Davis, Shannon Brown and Drew Neitzel |
| Louisiana State | 2006-07 | 5th | John Brady | 17-15 | Glen Davis, Tasmin Mitchell, Terry Martin, Garrett Temple and Darnell Lazare |
| Texas | 2009-10 | 3rd | Rick Barnes | 24-10 | Damion James, Avery Bradley, Dexter Pittman, J'Covan Brown, Gary Johnson and Dogus Balbay |
| Kansas State | 2010-11 | 3rd | Frank Martin | 23-11 | Jacob Pullen, Rodney McGruder, Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels |
| Michigan State | 2010-11 | 2nd | Tom Izzo | 19-15 | Kalin Lucas, Draymond Green, Durrell Summers, Delvon Roe and Keith Appling |
| Connecticut | 2011-12 | 4th | Jim Calhoun | 20-14 | Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, Ryan Boatright, Alex Oriakhi, Shabazz Napier, Roscoe Smith and Tony Olander |
| Kentucky | 2012-13 | 3rd | John Calipari | 21-12 | Willie Cauley-Stein, Archie Goodwin, Ryan Harrow, Julius Mays, Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress and Kyle Wiltjer |
| Kentucky | 2013-14 | 1st | John Calipari | 29-11 | Willie Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Alex Poythress, Julius Randle and James Young |
| Texas | 2021-22 | 5th | Chris Beard | 22-12 | Timmy Allen, Christian Bishop, Marcus Carr, Dylan Disu, Jase Febres, Andrew Jones, Tre Mitchell and Courtney Ramey |
| Kentucky | 2022-23 | 4th | John Calipari | 22-12 | CJ Fredrick, Chris Livingston, Antonio Reeves, Jacob Toppin, Oscar Tshiebwe, Cason Wallace and Sahvir Wheeler |
| North Carolina | 2022-23 | 1st | Hubert Davis | 20-13 | Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, RJ Davis, Puff Johnson, Caleb Love and Pete Nance |
| Michigan State | 2023-24 | 4th | Tom Izzo | 20-15 | Jaden Akins, Coen Carr, Carson Cooper, Malik Hall, A.J. Hoggard, Tre Holloman, Mady Sissoko and Tyson Walker |
Senior Celebrations: Parental Perspective at Heart-Tugging Homecourt Finales
March 2nd, 2024 - 8:19
Naturally, coast-to-coast parental pride displayed during Senior Night or Day the end of February and early March doesn't necessarily need to stem from athletics. Amid proper priorities (including not always being offended by characters in Dr. Seuss books), your child didn't have to be the best but he had to try his level best even amid a disruptive coronavirus.
A parent knows life goes on after the anticipation of a senior salute. But how can a mom and dad express appreciation for all of the memories shared together?
Adding sports as a factor for authentic student-athletes makes the lessons-learned equation more complex. Culminating at bittersweet senior celebration, it takes a significant amount of resilience to endure withdrawal from all of the devotion and emotion, last-second decisive shots, motivational talks coping with occasional slump, chance to dance in postseason competition, title dream dashed in close contest, team awards banquet, etc., etc., etc.
Who would have thought the first time he picked up a ball that he would make such a difference and stand so tall? Reflecting on all they've experienced, the parent is fortunate to still have a pulse whether their offspring is a walk-on or walks to center court as team standout.
In deference to the incomparable Caitlan Clark, it's easy enough to substitute girl for boy in the following poem portraying a parent trying to come to terms with an impending spread-their-wings departure; whether it be from high school to college or from college to the "real world." These reflections might be therapeutic if you went through a similar range of emotions amid whatever success your own flesh and blood enjoyed along the way.
Lord, there's a little thing I need to know
Where in the world did my little boy go?
Perplexed from time to time but one thing I know today
I'm a proud parent beyond words; what more can I say
Kids go through stages but not with this sort of speed
It was only yesterday he was unable to read
Wasn't it just months ago he went from crawl to walk
Hard-headed as a mule; certainly knew how to balk
Took one day at a time raising him the very best we could
Now inspires those around him just like we believed he would
High achiever turning a corner in his life
He has got what it takes to cope with any strife
Can't carry a tune but set school shooting star records
Now, the game-of-life clock dwindles from minutes to seconds
So angels above please watch over him daily
Although some of his antics may drive you crazy
He represents everything that I value the most
For that very reason, I'm offering a toast
But if he feels sorry for himself and about to give up
Do not hesitate to give him a gentle kick in the rump
Remembering what I did wrong but at least a couple things right
Always said you could do it; just try with all your might
I just yearn to see all of his grandest plans come true
God, it's my turn to have a great commission for You
Be with him, bless him and give him nothing but success
Aid his climb up that mountain; settle for nothing less
Guide his steps in the dark and rain
Pick up the pieces and ease any pain
Time to share our best with the remainder of the world
It is much like having a family flag unfurled
How can a once infant son make grown man cry
Groping for right words trying to say goodbye
To me, he'll always be a pure and spotless lamb
Cradled in our arms or holding his little hand
If I was Elton John, I'd tell everyone this is "Your Poem"
Simply sing how wonderful life was with you in our home
My soul swells with pride at any mention of you
How long gone are you going to be; wish I knew
Sure don't believe it is at all out of line
To seek to rebound for you just one more time
Although you're going to be many miles away
I will see you in my heart each and every day
So go down that windy path; don't you dare look back
You've found faith; it will keep you on the right track
He's headed for real world and all it offers
But first, here are your final marching orders
Always do the very best you possibly can
Refuse to lose even when you don't understand
There's no telling the goals you will be able to reach
By giving proper respect to instructors who teach
Aspire each and every day you wake
Not to waste a single breath you take
Might as well let all of your ability show
Because those gifts turn to dust whenever you "go"
Don't bury your talents in the ground
Lend helping hand to those you're around
I'll never forget the times when you were all you could be
Rose to the occasion and sent playoff game to OT
Cherish all the moments - the hugs and tears
For all your passion play through these years
My little guy is bound far beyond a Final Four
Poised for more success; prosperity at his door
All things are possible; he has found out
How much I love him is what I'm thinking about
Wherever you go, you'll be best from beginning to end
To that most truthful statement, I say Amen and Amen
After Senior Night, I'll stroll into your off-limits room
Try to keep my composure when it seems like doom and gloom
You will always be on my mind
But nothing like gut-wrenching time
When I ask the Lord a big thing I need to know
Where in His big world will His maturing man go?
Hot Stove League: MLB March Transactions Regarding Ex-College Hoopers
March 1st, 2024 - 9:35
Former San Diego State hooper Graig Nettles, a six-time All-Star third baseman, was moved from one MLB franchise to another twice in the mid-1980s during March. Fellow All-Stars Gene Conley (Washington State) and Sammy White (Washington) were principals in MLB trades this month after earning All-PCC North Division first-team acclaim as hoopers. Nettles, Conley and White are among the following ex-college hoopers involved in MLB off-season transactions during the month of March:
MARCH
1: INF Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) traded by the Boston Braves to Chicago Cubs in 1948. . . . C Rick Ferrell (played forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) traded by the St. Louis Browns to Washington Senators in 1944.
4: OF-DH Champ Summers (led SIU-Edwardsville in scoring in 1969-70 after doing likewise with Nicholls State in 1964-65) traded by the Detroit Tigers to San Francisco Giants in 1982.
5: RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by Indianapolis (American Association) in 1942.
8: RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) traded by the Texas Rangers to Cleveland Indians in 1973.
10: OF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg as Tampa freshman in 1961-62) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to Cleveland Indians in 1966. . . . LHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) acquired from Dallas (American Association) by the Kansas City Athletics as part of a minor league working agreement.
11: RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for Louisiana State in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Milwaukee Brewers in 1998.
13: C-UTL Billy Sullivan Jr. (Portland hoops letterman in 1927-28) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942.
14: 3B Wally Gilbert (Valparaiso hoops captain in early 1920s) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to Cincinnati Reds in 1932.
15: RHP Ray Fisher (1910 Middlebury VT graduate was "class" basketball participant) awarded off waivers from the New York Yankees to Cincinnati Reds in 1919. . . . RHP Dave Giusti (made 6-of-10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to Oakland Athletics in 1977. . . . C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 as team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) traded by the Chicago White Sox to California Angels in 1971. . . . RHP Jim Todd (played for Parsons IA before averaging 16 ppg with Millersville PA in 1968-69) shipped by the Chicago Cubs as player to be designated to Seattle Mariners in 1977 to complete trade made six months earlier.
16: LHP Amir Garrett (averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg for St. John's under coach Steve Lavin in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before redshirt transfer year at Cal State Northridge) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to Kansas City Royals in 2022. . . . 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) purchased from the Philadelphia Athletics by Cincinnati Reds in 1939. . . . C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) traded by the Boston Red Sox to Cleveland Indians in 1960 before deal was voided when he refused to report to his new team.
17: RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse hoops substitute from 1967-68 through 1969-70) traded by the California Angels to Toronto Blue Jays in 1980. . . . RHP Marty McLeary (Mount Vernon Nazarene OH academic redshirt), a Rule 5 draft pick, returned by the Montreal Expos to Boston Red Sox in 2000.
19: RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) traded by the Detroit Tigers to Cleveland Indians as part of three-team swap also involving New York Yankees in 1974. . . . LHP Willie Prall (Upsala NJ hooper) traded by the San Francisco Giants to Chicago Cubs in 1974.
20: UTL Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Philadelphia Phillies in 1962. . . . SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers for Drury MO in 1942-43 and 1943-44) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Milwaukee Braves in 1954. . . . LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) traded by the Seattle Mariners to Chicago White Sox in 2006.
21: SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) traded by the New York Mets to Philadelphia Phillies in 1988. . . . OF Bryant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after finishing runner-up in both categories previous season) traded by the Washington Senators to Minnesota Twins in 1970. . . . CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Detroit Tigers for OF-1B Tito Francona in 1959. . . . INF Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to Chicago White Sox in 1982.
23: INF Jake Flowers (member of 1923 "Flying Pentagon" championship hoops squad for Washington College MD) purchased from Buffalo (International) by the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. . . . OF-1B Jim Hickman (Ole Miss freshman hooper in 1955-56) traded by the Chicago Cubs to St. Louis Cardinals in 1974.
24: 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) purchased from the Atlanta Braves by Montreal Expos in 1988.
25: UTL Leo Burke (averaged 9.2 ppg for Virginia Tech in 1952-53 and 1953-54) purchased from the Los Angeles Angels by St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. . . . RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. . . . OF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) traded with another player by the Atlanta Braves to Cleveland Indians for CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) and another player in 1997. . . . 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) traded by the San Francisco Giants to St. Louis Cardinals in 1959.
26: RHP Frank Linzy (listed on Oklahoma State's freshman hoops roster in 1959-60) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972. . . . OF-1B Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Chicago White Sox in 1987. . . . INF Rob Sperring (averaged 8.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Pacific from 1968-69 through 1970-71) traded by the San Francisco Giants to Houston Astros in 1977. . . . RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) traded by the Oakland Athletics to Chicago Cubs in 1984.
27: RHP Dan Fife (averaged 12.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg as Michigan's) third-leading scorer each year from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) traded with cash by the Detroit Tigers to Minnesota Twins for RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) in 1973. . . . OF-INF Tony Phillips (juco teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd with New Mexico Military) traded by the San Diego Padres to Oakland Athletics in 1981. . . . OF Kite Thomas (averaged 5.1 ppg for Kansas State in 1946-47) traded by the Washington Senators to Chicago White Sox in 1954. . . . RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) purchased from the Washington Senators by Boston Red Sox in 1939.
29: RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Boston Braves for C-OF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 excelled in multiple sports for Lenoir-Rhyne NC) in 1947. . . . RHP Curly Ogden (competed as hoops center for Swarthmore PA in 1919, 1920 and 1922) purchased from the Washington Senators by Baltimore (International) in 1927.
30: LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5 ppg for East Tennessee State in 1976-77 and 1977-78 under coach Sonny Smith) traded by the Kansas City Royals to San Francisco Giants in six-player swap in 1982. . . . RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) purchased from the New York Yankees by St. Paul (American Association) in 1941. . . . 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) traded by the New York Yankees to San Diego Padres in 1984 for LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) and a player to be designated. . . . RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) traded by the Chicago White Sox to Oakland Athletics in 1978. . . . OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to Cincinnati Reds in 1969. . . . LHP Eric Stults (hooper for 1999 NAIA D-II Tournament runner-up and 2000 NCCAA Tournament titlist with Bethel IN) purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers by Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan Central) in 2010.
31: RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) traded with two other players by the Milwaukee Braves in 1959 to Philadelphia Phillies for INF Johnny O'Brien (two-time All-American with Seattle was first college player to crack 1,000-point plateau in single season by scoring 1,051 in 37 games in 1951-52) and two other players. . . . SS Rich Hacker (member of Southern Illinois' 1965-66 freshman hoops squad) traded by the New York Mets to Montreal Expos in 1971. . . . C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) traded by the Chicago White Sox to Boston Red Sox in 1971. . . . RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer in 1944-45) purchased from the Cincinnati Redlegs by Seattle (PCL) in 1955.
OFF-SEASON WHEELING AND DEALING PREVIOUS FOUR MONTHS
MLB February Transactions Involving Former College Hoopers
MLB January Transactions Involving Former College Hoopers
MLB December Transactions Involving Former College Hoopers
MLB November Transactions Involving Former College Hoopers
Happy Birthday! March Celebration Dates For A-As & Hall of Fame Coaches
March 1st, 2024 - 9:27
North Carolina (eight) and Duke (six) combine for 13 All-Americans born in the month of March. Duke is among three different North Carolina universities providing a striking number of 11 All-Americans born on the 14th of March. Two Oklahoma State All-Americans were born on the 6th of the month, two from Purdue on the 12th and two from Duke on the 18th. Kentucky's Jack Parkinson, celebrating #100 this month, is on the following day-by-day calendar of All-Americans and Hall of Fame coaches born in March:
MARCH
1: All-American Mayce "Chris" Webber (1973/Michigan).
2: Hall of Fame coach Denzil "Denny" Crum (1937/Louisville).
3: All-Americans Allan Hornyak (1951/Ohio State), Markus Howard (1999/Marquette), Jim Jarvis (1943/Oregon State) and Corey Kispert (1999/Gonzaga).
4: All-Americans Melvin Ejim (1991/Iowa State), Draymond Green (1990/Michigan State), Jack Parkinson (1924/Kentucky), Jared Sullinger (1992/Ohio State) and Obi Toppin (1998/Dayton) plus Hall of Fame coach Gary Williams (1945/American University, Boston College, Ohio State and Maryland).
5: All-Americans Mason Plumlee (1990/Duke), Scott Skiles Sr. (1964/Michigan State), Wally Szczerbiak (1977/Miami of Ohio), Mike Warren (1946/UCLA) and Reggie Williams (1964/Georgetown).
6: All-Americans Armando Bacot Jr. (2000/North Carolina), Eric "Sleepy" Floyd (1960/Georgetown), Josh Hart (1995/Villanova), John Jenkins (1991/Vanderbilt), Gale McArthur (1929/Oklahoma A&M), Shaquille O'Neal (1972/Louisiana State), Marcus Smart (1994/Oklahoma State) and Irv Torgoff (1917/LIU).
7: All-Americans Luke Maye (1997/North Carolina), Wally Palmberg (1912/Oregon State), Andy Phillip (1922/Illinois), Bob Rensberger (1921/Notre Dame) and Jeff Withey (1990/Kansas).
8: All-Americans Marvin Colen (1915/Loyola of Chicago), Robbie Hummel (1989/Purdue), Kenny Smith (1965/North Carolina) and Charles "Buck" Williams (1960/Maryland) plus Hall of Fame coach George Keogan (1890/St. Louis, Valparaiso and Notre Dame).
9: All-Americans Frank Burgess (1935/Gonzaga), Adonal Foyle (1975/Colgate), Chris Jackson (1969/Louisiana State), Jeff Lamp (1959/Virginia), Ed Mullen (1913/Marquette), Wayne Simien (1983/Kansas), Darrell Walker (1961/Arkansas) and Ron Widby (1945/Tennessee) plus Hall of Fame coach Ralph Miller (1919/Wichita, Iowa and Oregon State).
10: All-Americans Austin Carr (1948/Notre Dame), LeRoy Ellis Sr. (1940/St. John's), Kirk Haston (1979/Indiana) and Mark Workman (1930/West Virginia).
11: All-Americans Vince Boryla (1927/Denver), Elton Brand (1979/Duke), Anthony Davis (1993/Kentucky) and Jim McMillian (1948/Columbia).
12: All-Americans Charlie Bell (1979/Michigan State), Norm Cottom (1912/Purdue), Carsen Edwards (1998/Purdue), Bob Houbregs (1932/Washington), John Richter (1937/North Carolina State), Isaiah "J.R." Rider (1971/UNLV) and Doron Sheffer (1972/Connecticut) plus Hall of Fame coaches Ed Diddle (1895/Western Kentucky) and Eddie Sutton (1936/Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State).
13: All-Americans Bobby Jackson (1973/Minnesota), Glen "Max" Morris (1925/Northwestern) and Jack Parr (1936/Kansas State).
14: All-Americans Marvin Bagley III (1999/Duke), Stephen Curry (1988/Davidson), Marv Huffman (1917/Indiana), Larry Johnson (1969/UNLV), Clyde Lee (1944/Vanderbilt), Henry Logan (1946/Western Carolina), Bill Morris (1920/Washington), Paul Nowak (1914/Notre Dame), Charlie Share (1927/Bowling Green State), Gerry Tucker (1922/Oklahoma) and Wes Unseld (1946/Louisville) plus Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins (1930/Texas-El Paso).
15: All-Americans Lawrence Butler (1957/Idaho State), Terry Cummings (1961/DePaul), Kevin Loder (1959/Alabama State), Kevin McCullar Jr. (2001/Kansas), Jabari Parker (1995/Duke) and Don Schlundt (1933/Indiana).
16: All-Americans Toney Douglas (1986/Florida State), Blake Griffin (1989/Oklahoma), Bob Harris (1927/Oklahoma A&M), Porter Meriwether (1940/Tennessee State), Dave Quabius (1916/Marquette) and Jalen Smith (2000/Maryland) plus Hall of Fame coach Arthur "Dutch" Lonborg (1898/Northwestern).
17: All-Americans Danny Ainge (1959/Brigham Young), Sam Bowie (1961/Kentucky), Johnny Juzang (2001/UCLA), Kyle Korver (1981/Creighton), Clyde Mayes (1953/Furman), Thomas Robinson (1991/Kansas) and Willie Somerset (1942/Duquesne).
18: All-Americans Sherron Collins (1987/Kansas), Kris Dunn (1994/Providence), George Kok (1922/Arkansas), Mike Lewis (1946/Duke), Jeff Mullins (1942/Duke) and Win Wilfong (1933/Memphis State) plus Hall of Fame coach Everett Dean (1898/Indiana and Stanford).
19: All-Americans Larry Fogle (1953/Canisius), Casey Jacobsen (1981/Stanford), Scott May (1954/Indiana), Andre Miller (1976/Utah) and Bill Spivey (1929/Kentucky) plus Hall of Fame coaches Guy Lewis (1922/Houston) and Jim Phelan (1929/Mount St. Mary's).
20: All-Americans Daron "Mookie" Blaylock (1967/Oklahoma), Ken Charlton (1941/Colorado), Chuck Darling (1930/Iowa), Marcus Denmon (1990/Missouri), Bob Lewis (1945/North Carolina), Steve Logan (1980/Cincinnati), Ronnie Perry Jr. (1958/Holy Cross) and Pat Riley (1945/Kentucky).
21: All-Americans Miles Bridges (1998/Michigan State) and Mike Olliver (1959/Lamar).
22: All-Americans Marcus Camby (1974/Massachusetts), Ed Macauley (1928/St. Louis) and Danny Schultz (1943/Tennessee).
23: All-Americans Joseph Forte (1981/North Carolina), Kyrie Irving (1992/Duke), Rich Kelley (1953/Stanford) and Jason Kidd (1973/California).
24: All-Americans Chris Bosh (1984/Georgia Tech), Terrance "T.J." Ford (1983/Texas) and Mike Woodson (1958/Indiana).
25: All-Americans James Anderson (1989/Oklahoma State), Kyle Lowry (1986/Villanova), Lawrence Moten (1972/Syracuse) and Leon Wood (1962/Cal State Fullerton).
27: All-Americans Danny Fortson (1976/Cincinnati), Tom Hammonds (1967/Georgia Tech), Tyler Kolek (2001/Marquette), John Kotz (1919/Wisconsin) and Chris Lofton (1986/Tennessee).
28: All-Americans Rick Barry (1944/Miami FL), Chris Corchiani (1968/North Carolina State), Len Elmore (1952/Maryland), Justin Jackson (1995/North Carolina) and Jerry Sloan (1942/Evansville).
29: All-Americans Kay Felder (1995/Oakland), Walt Frazier (1945/Southern Illinois), Ed Ratleff (1950/Long Beach State) and Dennis Wuycik (1950/North Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Jack Gardner (1910/Kansas State and Utah).
30: All-Americans Wyndol Gray (1922/Bowling Green State), Jerry Lucas (1940/Ohio State), Joe Richey (1931/Brigham Young) and Oscar "Ossie" Schectman (1919/LIU).
31: All-Americans Don Barksdale (1923/UCLA), Dennis DuVal (1952/Syracuse), Herman "J.R." Reid (1968/North Carolina), Chris Smith (1939/Virginia Tech) and Steve Smith (1969/Michigan State).
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: March Calendar For Magical Moments in NCAA Hoops History
March 1st, 2024 - 9:25
Existing single-game rebounding records for San Francisco (Bill Russell) and Santa Clara (Ken Sears) were set on the same day (March 4) in West Coast Conference competition in 1955. Two Philly Big 5 institutions - Penn (37 points by Keven McDonald) and La Salle (35 by Michael Brooks) - had players establish school NCAA Tournament single-game scoring marks in the same regional (East) on same day (12th in 1978). Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (44 points) and Auburn's Chris Morris (36) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards in the same contest in 1988 (March 17). Two years apart in the late 1980s, Reggie Williams and Charles Smith set and tied Georgetown's single-game scoring mark in NCAA tourney competition on the same day (March 19). Sixty-five years apart, Bill Logan and Luka Garza set and tied Iowa's standard on the same day (March 22). In another oddity, Yale's single-game scoring and rebounding marks against a major-college opponent were established in the same game against Harvard in 1956. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in March major-college basketball history:
MARCH
1 - Kentucky's Cliff Hagan (42 points vs. Georgia in 1952 semifinals) set SEC Tournament single-game scoring record. . . . New Hampshire's Matt Alosa (39 vs. Hartford in opening round of 1996 North Atlantic Conference Tournament at Newark, DE/tied school mark), Saint Louis' Anthony Bonner (45 at Loyola of Chicago in overtime in 1990), Southern Illinois' Dick Garrett (46 vs. Centenary in 1968) and Southern Utah's Davor Marcelic (43 at Cal State Northridge in 1991/subsequently tied) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Larry Jeffries (40 vs. Abilene Christian in 1969) had highest-scoring game for Trinity TX in season when school made its lone NCAA DI Tournament appearance. . . . In 1952, Penn State and Pittsburgh combined for only nine field-goal attempts (fewest in a game since 1938). . . . North Carolina State ended South Carolina's school-record 32-game winning streak (43-24 in 1934) and Southern Methodist's school-record 44-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Texas A&M (43-42 in 1958). . . . East Tennessee State's Tommy Woods (38 vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1965) and Holy Cross' Tom Heinsohn (42 vs. Boston College in 1956) set school single-game rebounding records. Heinsohn also scored 51 points against BC to become the only player in NCAA history to collect more than 50 points and 40 rebounds in single contest against major-college opponent. . . . Chris Collier (23 vs. Centenary in 1990) set Georgia State's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
2 - Junior forward Ralph Jukkola became the only Louisiana State teammate to outscore NCAA all-time leading scorer Pete Maravich in a regular-season game (22-17 in 74-71 loss at Tennessee in 1968) when Pistol was limited to fewer than 20 points for the lone time in college. Jukkola averaged 9.1 ppg in his three-year varsity career compared to Maravich's lofty mark of 44.2 ppg. . . . Campbell's Chris Clemons (51 points vs. UNC Asheville in 2017 Big South quarterfinals) and San Francisco's Tim Owens (45 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1991 WCC quarterfinals) set conference tournament single-game scoring records. . . . Colgate's Jonathan Stone (52 vs. Brooklyn in 1992), McNeese State's Michael Cutright (51 at Stephen F. Austin in double overtime in 1989), New Mexico's Marvin Johnson (50 vs. Colorado State in 1978) and Southern Methodist's Gene Phillips (51 at Texas in 1971) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Johnson's output is also a Western Athletic Conference record in league competition. . . . Oklahoma tied an NCAA single-game record by converting all 34 of its free-throw attempts (against Iowa State in 2013). . . . Penn State's school-record 45-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Penn (85-79 in 1955). . . . Jameel Warney (23 vs. UMBC in 2016 America East Conference Tournament quarterfinals) set Stony Brook's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
3 - Jacksonville's Dee Brown (41 points vs. Old Dominion in 1990 quarterfinals) set Sun Belt Conference Tournament single-game scoring record and Monmouth's Rahsaan Johnson (40 vs. St. Francis NY in 2000 quarterfinals) set Northeast Conference Tournament single-game scoring record. . . . Drake's Philip "Red" Murrell (51 vs. Houston in overtime in 1958), Lafayette's Bobby Mantz (47 vs. Wilkes College PA in 1958), Maine's Jim Stephenson (54 vs. Colby in 1969), St. John's Bob Zawoluk (65 vs. St. Peter's in 1950), Santa Clara's Carlos "Bud" Ogden (55 at Pepperdine in 1967), Temple's Bill Mlkvy (73 at Wilkes College PA in 1951), Tulsa's Willie Biles (48 vs. Wichita State in 1973/subsequently tied his own mark), UNLV's Trevor Diggs (49 vs. Wyoming in 2001) and Weber State's Jerrick Harding (46 vs. Montana State in overtime in 2018) set school single-game scoring records. Mlkvy scored an incredible 54 unanswered points for the Owls. Diggs' output is also a Mountain West Conference record in league competition. . . . Florida State's Al Thornton (45 vs. Miami in 2007) and Tennessee-Martin's Lester Hudson (42 vs. Tennessee Tech in 2009) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 800 victories the fastest with a 90-86 win at Auburn in 1969 (974 games in 37th season). . . . Army's Todd Mattson (24 vs. Holy Cross in 1990), Iowa's Chuck Darling (30 vs. Wisconsin in 1952) and Minnesota's Larry Mikan (28 vs. Michigan in 1970) set school single-game rebounding records.
4 - Marshall's Skip Henderson (55 points vs. The Citadel in 1988 Southern Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Asheville, NC) and Montana State's Tom Storm (44 vs. Portland State in 1967) set school single-game scoring records against an NCAA Division I opponent. Henderson's output is also highest-scoring contest in NCAA history for a DI league postseason tourney. . . . Lehigh's Joe Knight (45 vs. Colgate in 2005 quarterfinals) set Patriot League Tournament single-game scoring record. . . . Villanova's school-record 72-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by St. Francis PA (70-64 in 1958). . . . San Francisco's Bill Russell (35 vs. Loyola Marymount) and Santa Clara's Ken Sears (30 vs. Pacific) set school single-game rebounding records in WCAC contests in 1955. . . . Chattanooga's Mindaugas Katelynas (21 at Appalachian State in 2005 Southern Conference Tournament semifinals) and Notre Dame's Collis Jones (25 vs. Western Michigan in 1971) set school single-game rebounding records against a Division I opponent. . . . One of the most tragic moments in college basketball history occurred in semifinals of 1990 West Coast Conference Tournament at Loyola Marymount when Hank Gathers, the league's all-time scoring leader and a two-time tourney MVP, collapsed and died on his homecourt during the Lions' game with Portland.
5 - Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (41 points vs. Indiana State in 1988 Missouri Valley quarterfinals) and Texas Tech's Rick Bullock (44 vs. Arkansas in 1976 SWC semifinals) set conference tournament single-game scoring records. . . . Cal State Northridge's Mike O'Quinn (39 vs. Eastern Washington in overtime in 1998 Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals at Northern Arizona/subsequently tied), Cornell's George Farley (47 at Princeton in 1960), Houston Baptist's Darius Lee (52 vs. McNeese State in quadruple overtime in 2022), Michigan's Cazzie Russell (48 vs. Northwestern in 1966/subsequently tied by Rudy Tomjanovich), Minnesota's Eric Magdanz (42 at Michigan in 1962/subsequently tied), Southeastern Louisiana's Cedric Jenkins (39 at New Orleans in 2015/tied) and Wichita State's Antoine Carr (47 vs. Southern Illinois in 1983) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Lee's output tied HBU's all-time scoring mark. . . . Carnegie Tech's Melvin Cratsley set Eastern Intercollegiate Conference single-game scoring record with 34 points vs. West Virginia in 1938. . . . Boston University's Kevin Thomas (34 vs. Boston College in 1958), Delaware State's Kendall Gray (30 vs. Coppin State in 2015), Pacific's Keith Swagerty (39 vs. UC Santa Barbara in 1965) and Saint Louis' Jerry Koch (38 vs. Bradley in 1954) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Baylor's Jerome Lambert (26 vs. Southern Methodist in 1994) and Wyoming's Leon Clark (24 vs. Arizona in 1966) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
6 - Texas Christian's Mike Jones (44 points vs. Fresno State in 1997 quarterfinals) set WAC Tournament single-game scoring record. . . . Duquesne's Ron Guziak (50 vs. St. Francis PA at Altoona in 1968), Minnesota's Ollie Shannon (42 vs. Wisconsin in 1971/tied), Missouri's Joe Scott (46 vs. Nebraska in 1961) and Sam Houston State's Senecca Wall (45 vs. Texas-Arlington in double overtime in 2001 Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Ohio State set an NCAA single-game record by making 14 consecutive three-point field-goal attempts (against Wisconsin in 2011).
7 - Houston Baptist's Reggie Gibbs (43 points vs. Georgia Southern in 1989 TAAC quarterfinals), North Carolina's Lennie Rosenbluth (45 vs. Clemson in 1957 ACC quarterfinals) and Southern Utah's Randy Onwuasor (43 vs. Montana State in triple overtime in 2017 Big Sky first round) set conference tournament single-game scoring records. . . . Lehigh's Daren Queenan (49 vs. Bucknell in double overtime in 1987 ECC Tournament semifinals at Towson State), Notre Dame's Austin Carr (61 vs. Ohio University in first round of 1970 NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional), Rhode Island's Tom Garrick (50 vs. Rutgers in 1988 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament quarterfinals at West Virginia/tied mark) and Saint Mary's Jordan Ford (42 vs. Pepperdine in double overtime in 2020 WCC Tournament quarterfinals) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Carr's output is also an NCAA playoff single-game record and output by Garrick is are single-game mark in league tourney. . . . Oklahoma State center Arlen Clark established an NCAA standard for most successful free throws in single game without a miss by converting all 24 of his foul shots against Colorado in 1959. . . . In 1928, Butler beat Notre Dame, 21-13, in inaugural game at legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was the largest basketball arena in the U.S. at the time and retained that distinction until 1950. . . . Jacksonville's Artis Gilmore (30 vs. Western Kentucky in 1970 first round) and Southern California's John Rudometkin (31 vs. Utah in 1960 first round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records.
8 - Wright State's Bill Edwards (38 vs. Illinois-Chicago in 1993 Summit League final) set conference tournament single-game scoring record and Kentucky's Melvin Turpin (42 vs. Georgia in 1984 quarterfinals) tied Cliff Hagan's SEC Tournament single-game scoring standard. . . . Harvard's Brady Merchant (45 vs. Brown in 2003), Miami of Ohio's Ron Harper (45 vs. Ball State in 1985 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals) and Vanderbilt's Tom Hagan (44 at Mississippi State in 1969) set school single-game scoring records. Harper's output is also a MAC tourney single-game scoring mark. . . . Brown's Gerry Alaimo (26 vs. Rhode Island in 1958) and Georgia's Bob Lienhard (29 vs. Louisiana State in 1969) set school single-game rebounding records against a Division I opponent.
9 - Greg Ballard (43 points at Oral Roberts in 1977 NIT first round) set Oregon's single-game scoring record. . . . Marcus Mann (28 vs. Jackson State in 1996) set Mississippi Valley State's single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent. . . . Houston's Elvin Hayes (49 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1968 Midwest Regional first round), Marquette's Terry Rand (37 vs. Miami of Ohio in 1955 East Regional first round) and Texas-El Paso's Jim "Bad News" Barnes (42 vs. Texas A&M in 1964 Midwest Regional first round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Bill Butler (34 vs. Boston College in 1968 East Regional first round) tied St. Bonaventure's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard.
10 - North Texas State's Kenneth Lyons (47 points vs. Louisiana Tech in 1983 Southland quarterfinals), Northwestern's Michael Thompson (35 vs. Minnesota in 2011 Big Ten opening round) and Washington State's Klay Thompson (43 vs. Washington in 2011 Pac-12 quarterfinals) set single-game scoring records in their respective conference tournaments. Lyons' output is also a school single-game scoring record. . . . Paul Williams (45 at Southern California in 1983) set Arizona State's single-game scoring record. . . . John Lee (41 vs. Harvard in 1956) set Yale's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Lamar's school-record 80-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Louisiana Tech (68-65 in 1984 Southland Conference Tournament championship contest). . . . Ed Robinson (32 vs. Harvard in 1956) set Yale's single-game rebounding record. . . . Johnny O'Brien (42 points vs. Idaho State in 1953 West Regional first round) set Seattle's NCAA playoff single-game scoring record.
11 - Connecticut's Donyell Marshall (42 points vs. St. John's in 1994 Big East quarterfinals), Texas Tech's Mike Singletary (43 vs. Texas A&M in 2009 Big 12 opening round), Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman (42 vs. Delaware in 2019 CAA semifinals), Old Dominion's Trey Freeman (42 vs. Western Kentucky in 2016 C-USA semifinals), Cal State Fullerton's Josh Akognon (37 vs. UC Riverside in 2009 Big West opening round) and Bethune-Cookman's Richard Toussaint (49 vs. Morgan State in 2003 MEAC first round) set single-game scoring records in their respective conference tournaments. . . . Brigham Young's Jimmer Fredette (52 vs. New Mexico in 2011 Mountain West Tournament semifinals at Las Vegas), Montana's Anthony Johnson (42 at Weber State in 2010 Big Sky Tournament final) and Nebraska's Eric Piatkowski (42 vs. Oklahoma in 1994 Big Eight Tournament quarterfinals at Kansas City) set school single-game scoring records. Outputs for Fredette and Piatkowski are also single-game scoring records in their respective conference tourneys. . . . Indiana (95) and Michigan (57) combined for an NCAA single-game record of 152 rebounds in 1961. Walt Bellamy (33) set IU's individual rebounding record in the contest. . . . Ohio State's Jerry Lucas (36 vs. Western Kentucky in 1960 Mideast Regional semifinal) and Utah's Jerry Chambers (40 vs. Pacific in 1966 West Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records.
12 - Bradley's Bob Carney set NCAA Tournament single-game record by converting 23 free-throw attempts (against Colorado in 1954 West Regional semifinals). . . . Stony Brook's Jameel Warney (43 points vs. Vermont in 2016 America East final) tied conference tournament single-game scoring mark. Warney's output is also a school standard since moving up to NCAA Division I level. . . . DePaul's George Mikan (53 vs. Rhode Island State in 1945 NIT semifinals), Fairleigh Dickinson's Elijah Allen (43 vs. Connecticut in 1998 NCAA Tournament East Regional first round) and Navy's David Robinson (50 vs. Michigan in 1987 NCAA Tournament East Regional first round) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Allen's output also set a Northeast Conference NCAA playoff scoring standard and Robinson's output established a Colonial Athletic Association NCAA playoff scoring mark. . . . Syracuse outlasted Connecticut, 127-117, in six overtimes in 2009 Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinals in longest postseason game in NCAA history. . . . Georgia's Willie Anderson (35 vs. Kansas State in overtime in 1987 West Regional first round), Kentucky's Dan Issel (44 vs. Notre Dame in 1970 Mideast Regional semifinal), La Salle's Michael Brooks (35 vs. Villanova in 1978 East Regional first round) and Penn's Keven McDonald (37 vs. St. Bonaventure in 1978 East Regional first round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Jacksonville's Artis Gilmore (30 vs. Iowa in 1970 Mideast Regional semifinal) and Penn State's Jesse Arnelle (25 vs. Kentucky in 1955 East Regional third-place game) tied their own school NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks. . . . Morehead State's Dan Swartz (39 vs. Marshall in 1956 Midwest Regional first round) set Ohio Valley Conference NCAA playoff single-game scoring record. . . . Miami of Ohio's Wally Szczerbiak (43 vs. Washington in 1999 Midwest Regional first round) set Mid-American Conference NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard in a 59-58 win. Never before has a player exhibited such dominant solo act in NCAA tourney history as Szczerbiak accounted for an incredible 72.9% of Miami's offensive output.
13 - Vermont's Taylor Coppenrath (43 points vs. Maine in 2004 final) set America East Conference Tournament single-game scoring record. . . . Charlotte's Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell (32 vs. Central Michigan in 1977 Mideast Regional first round), Colorado's Cliff Meely (32 vs. Colorado State in 1969 Midwest Regional semifinal), Duke's Jeff Mullins (43 vs. Villanova in 1964 East Regional semifinal), Holy Cross' Togo Palazzi (32 vs. Wake Forest in 1953 East Regional semifinal), Oklahoma State's Bob Mattick (35 vs. Texas Christian in 1953 West Regional semifinal), San Francisco's Ollie Johnson (37 vs. UCLA in 1965 West Regional final), Tennessee's Ernie Grunfeld (36 vs. Virginia Military in 1976 East Regional first round), Texas Christian's Lee Nailon (32 vs. Florida State in 1998 Midwest Regional first round) and Washington's Bob Houbregs (45 vs. Seattle in 1953 West Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. . . . Brigham Young made the largest comeback in NCAA playoff history, erasing a 25-point deficit to beat Iona (78-72 in 2012 First Four). Iona scored 55 points in first 16 minutes before collecting only three field goals and seven points over the next 16 1/2 minutes.
14 - Louisville's Russ Smith (42 points vs. Houston in 2014 semifinals) set American Athletic Conference Tournament single-game scoring record. Smith's output also set a school mark for most points against a major-college opponent. . . . Indiana's Don Schlundt (41 vs. Notre Dame in 1953 East Regional final), North Carolina State's David Thompson (40 vs. Providence in 1974 East Regional semifinal/subsequently tied), Providence's Austin Croshere (39 vs. Marquette in 1997 South Regional first round), St. Bonaventure's Fred Crawford (34 vs. Rhode Island in 1961 East Regional first round/subsequently tied), Santa Clara's Dennis Awtrey (37 vs. Long Beach State in 1970 West Regional third-place contest) and Wichita State's Dave Stallworth (37 vs. Kansas State in 1964 Midwest Regional final) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Billy Knight (34 vs. Furman in 1974 East Regional semifinal) tied Pittsburgh's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard. . . . Wyoming's Fennis Dembo (41 vs. UCLA in 1987 West Regional second round) set Western Athletic Conference's NCAA playoff single-game scoring mark.
15 - Arizona State's Byron Scott (32 vs. Kansas in 1981 Midwest Regional second round), Boston College's John Bagley (35 vs. Wake Forest in 1981 Mideast Regional second round), Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (56 vs. Arkansas in 1958 Midwest Regional third-place contest), George Mason's George Evans (27 vs. Maryland in 2001 West Regional first round), Louisville's Junior Bridgeman (36 vs. Rutgers in 1975 Midwest Regional first round), North Carolina's Lennie Rosenbluth (39 vs. Canisius in 1957 East Regional semifinal/subsequently tied), Rutgers' Phil Sellers (29 vs. Louisville in 1975 Midwest Regional first round), Virginia Commonwealth's Rolando Lamb (30 vs. Marshall in 1985 West Regional first round/subsequently tied) and West Virginia's Rod Thorn (44 vs. St. Joseph's in 1963 East Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. . . . Houston's Rob Gray (39 vs. San Diego State in 2018 West Regional first round) set American Athletic Conference's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard.
16 - Kentucky's Kenny Walker (11-of-11 vs. Western Kentucky in 1986 Southeast Regional second round) became only player in NCAA Tournament history to make all of more than 10 field-goal attempts in a single playoff game. . . . Temple's Fred Cohen (34 vs. Connecticut in 1956 NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinals) set school and NCAA Tournament single-game rebounding records. . . . Nate Thurmond (31 vs. Mississippi State in 1963 Mideast Regional third-place game) set Bowling Green's single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent. . . . Alabama's Antonio McDyess (39 points vs. Penn in 1995 East Regional first round), Arkansas' Mario Credit (34 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1989 Midwest Regional first round), Loyola of Chicago's Jerry Harkness (33 vs. Illinois in 1963 Mideast Regional final), Northwestern's Bryant McIntosh (25 vs. Vanderbilt in 2017 West Regional first round), Pittsburgh's John Riser (34 vs. Notre Dame in 1957 Mideast Regional third-place contest), Southern Methodist's Jim Krebs (33 vs. St. Louis in 1957 Midwest Regional third-place contest), Virginia's Richard Morgan (33 vs. Providence in 1989 Southeast Regional first round/tied by him two days later) and Wake Forest's Len Chappell (34 vs. St. Joseph's in overtime in 1962 East Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. McIntosh's output occurred in Northwestern's first-ever tourney contest. JeQuan Lewis (30 vs. Saint Mary's in 2017 West Regional first round) tied Virginia Commonwealth's NCAA playoff single-game scoring mark. . . . Loyola Marymount's Bo Kimble (45 vs. New Mexico State in 1990 West Regional first round) set West Coast Conference's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard.
17 - Texas' Travis Mays (23-of-27 vs. Georgia in 1990 Midwest Regional first round) tied NCAA Tournament single-game record for most free-throws made. Mays (44 points), Auburn's Chris Morris (36 vs. Bradley in 1988 Southeast Regional first round), Baylor's Taurean Prince (28 vs. Yale in 2016 West Regional first round), Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (44 vs. Auburn in 1988 Southeast Regional first round), Dayton's Roosevelt Chapman (41 vs. Oklahoma in 1984 West Regional second round), DePaul's Dave Corzine (46 vs. Louisville in double overtime in 1978 Midwest Regional semifinal), Mississippi's Stefan Moody (26 vs. Brigham Young in 2015 First Four), New Mexico State's Teddy Allen (37 vs. Connecticut in 2022 West Regional first round), Oregon State's Gary Payton Sr. (31 vs. Evansville in 1989 West Regional first round), Texas A&M's Acie Law IV (26 vs. Louisville in 2007 South Regional second round/subsequently tied) and Virginia Tech's Glen Combs (29 vs. Indiana in 1967 Mideast Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards. Mays' point production is the highest in tourney history for an individual never named an All-American. Hawkins' output is also Missouri Valley Conference's NCAA playoff record. . . . Harvard's Bryce Aiken (38 vs. Yale in 2019 final) set Ivy League Tournament single-game scoring mark. . . . Maurice Stokes (43 vs. Dayton in 1955 NIT semifinals) set Saint Francis (PA) single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . In 1939, Villanova defeated Brown, 42-30, in the first NCAA Tournament game ever played. . . . Al Inniss (37 vs. Lafayette in 1956 NIT first round) set St. Francis NY single-game rebounding record.
18 - Loyola Marymount's Jeff Fryer (11 three-pointers vs. Michigan in 1990 West Regional second round) became the only player in NCAA playoff history to make more than 10 three-point field-goals in a single playoff game. . . . Arizona's Khalid Reeves (32 points vs. Loyola MD in 1994 West Regional first round/subsequently tied), Iowa State's Lafester Rhodes (34 vs. Georgia Tech in 1988 East Regional first round), Louisiana State's Bob Pettit (36 vs. Washington in 1953 national third-place contest/subsequently tied), Minnesota's Willie Burton (36 vs. Northern Iowa in 1990 Southeast Regional second round/subsequently tied) and Syracuse's Gerry McNamara (43 vs. Brigham Young in 2004 Phoenix Regional first round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Richard Morgan (33 vs. Middle Tennessee in 1989 Southeast Regional second round) tied his own Virginia NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard.
19 - Louisiana State's Shaquille O'Neal (11 rejections vs. Brigham Young in 1992 West Regional first round) set NCAA Tournament single-game record for most blocked shots. . . . Texas Southern's Aaric Murray (38 points vs. Cal Poly in 2014 First Four) became only HBCU player to score more than 30 in a single NCAA Division I Tournament game. . . . Butler's Shelvin Mack (30 vs. Pittsburgh in 2011 Southeast Regional second round), Georgetown's Reggie Williams (34 vs. Kansas in 1987 Southeast Regional semifinal/subsequently tied), Kansas State's Jacob Pullen (38 vs. Wisconsin in 2011 Southeast Regional second round), Massachusetts' Marcus Camby (32 vs. Maryland in 1994 Midwest Regional second round), Memphis' Roburt Sallie (35 vs. Cal State Northridge in 2009 West Regional first round), Michigan's Glen Rice (39 vs. Florida in 1988 West Regional second round), Nebraska's Eric Piatkowski (29 vs. New Mexico State in 1993 East Regional first round), Oklahoma's Stacey King (37 vs. Auburn in 1988 Southeast Regional second round/subsequently tied) and Wisconsin's Michael Finley (36 vs. Missouri in 1994 West Regional second round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards. Georgetown's Charles Smith (34 vs. Notre Dame in 1989 East Regional second round) and North Carolina State's Rodney Monroe (40 vs. Iowa in 1989 East Regional second round) tied school NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks.
20 - Duke's Mike Krzyzewski passed North Carolina's Dean Smith (65 victories) for the most coaching wins in NCAA Tournament history with a 63-55 second-round triumph against Mississippi State in 2005 Austin Regional. . . . Michigan State's Adrien Payne (17-for-17 from free-throw line vs. Delaware in 2014 East Regional opener) set NCAA Tournament single-game record for most successful foul shots without a miss. Payne (41 points), California's Lamond Murray (28 vs. Duke in 1993 Midwest Regional second round), Florida State's Sam Cassell (31 vs. Tulane in 1993 Southeast Regional second round), Missouri's Willie Smith (43 vs. Michigan in 1976 Midwest Regional final), Penn State's Jesse Arnelle (25 vs. Southern California in 1954 national third-place contest/tied his mark next season), South Carolina's Tom Riker (39 vs. Fordham in 1971 East Regional third-place contest) and Villanova's Howard Porter (35 vs. Penn in 1971 East Regional final) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards. Iowa State's Dedric Willoughby (34 vs. UCLA in 1997 Midwest Regional semifinal), Minnesota's Bobby Jackson (36 vs. Clemson in 1997 Midwest Regional semifinal) and Texas A&M's Josh Carter (26 vs. Brigham Young in 2008 first round) tied school NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks. . . . Princeton's Bill Bradley (58 vs. Wichita in 1965 national third-place contest) and UNLV's Armon Gilliam (38 vs. Wyoming in 1987 West Regional semifinal/tied eight days later by teammate Freddie Banks) set NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards for the Ivy League and Big West Conference, respectively. Bradley's output is the highest in any Final Four contest. . . . UCLA's Gail Goodrich (18 vs. Michigan in 1965 championship contest) established Final Four single-game record for most free throws made.
21 - UNC Wilmington's John Goldsberry became only player in NCAA Tournament history to make as many as eight three-pointers without a miss in single playoff game (against Maryland in 2003 South Regional first round). . . . Creighton's Doug McDermott (30 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette in 2014 West Regional first round), Drake's Jonathan Cox (29 vs. Western Kentucky in overtime in 2008 West Regional first round), Illinois' Deron Williams (31 vs. Cincinnati in 2004 Atlanta Regional second round), Miami's Jack McClinton (38 vs. Saint Mary's in 2008 South Regional first round), Mississippi State's Charles Rhodes (34 vs. Oregon in 2008 South Regional first round), Vanderbilt's Matt Freije (31 vs. North Carolina State in 2004 Phoenix Regional second round) and Washington State's Paul Lindemann (26 vs. Creighton in 1941 Western Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Shaquille O'Neal (36 vs. Indiana in 1992 West Regional second round) tied Louisiana State's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard. . . . Davidson's Stephen Curry (40 vs. Gonzaga in 2008 Midwest Regional first round) and North Carolina Central's Jeremy Ingram (28 vs. Iowa State in 2014 East Regional first round) established NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks for the Southern Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, respectively.
22 - The only time in major-college history two undefeated teams met in a national postseason tournament was 1939 NIT final between Loyola of Chicago and Long Island University (LIU won, 44-32). . . . University of Chicago ended Penn's school-record 31-game winning streak (28-24 in 1920) and LIU ended Seton Hall's school-record 41-game winning streak (49-26 in 1941 NIT semifinals). . . . Duquesne's Jim Tucker (29 points vs. Illinois in 1952 East Regional final), Iowa's Bill Logan (36 vs. Temple in 1956 national semifinal/subsequently tied), Kansas' Clyde Lovellette (44 vs. St. Louis in 1952 West Regional final), St. John's Bob Zawoluk (32 vs. Kentucky in 1952 East Regional final), Stanford's Brook Lopez (30 vs. Marquette in 2008 South Regional second round) and Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver (29 vs. Northern Kentucky in 2019 West Regional first round) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. In 2021, Luka Garza (36 vs. Oregon in West Regional second round) tied Iowa's standard.
23 - Hal Lear (48 points vs. Southern Methodist in 1956 NCAA Tournament national third-place contest) set Temple's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. In addition to Lear, Clemson's Gabe DeVoe (31 vs. Kansas in 2018 Midwest Regional semifinal), Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke (36 vs. Baylor in 2019 West Regional second round) and Oregon's Tajuan Porter (33 vs. UNLV in 2007 Midwest Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standards. . . . San Francisco's Bill Russell (27 vs. Iowa in 1956 championship contest) established Final Four single-game mark for most rebounds. . . . Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (19 vs. Michigan State in overtime in 2023 East Regional semifinal) set NCAA Tournament single-game record for most assists.
24 - Askia Jones (62 points vs. Fresno State in 1994 NIT quarterfinals) set Kansas State's single-game scoring record. . . . Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox (39 vs. UCLA in 2017 South Regional semifinal) set NCAA Tournament single-game scoring standard by a freshman. . . . Florida's KeVaughn Allen (35 vs. Wisconsin in overtime in 2017 East Regional semifinal), Indiana State's Larry Bird (35 vs. DePaul in 1979 national semifinal) and Purdue's Glenn Robinson Jr. (44 vs. Kansas in 1994 Southeast Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records. Arizona's Derrick Williams (32 vs. Duke in 2011 West Regional semifinal) and Connecticut's Kemba Walker (36 vs. San Diego State in 2011 West Regional semifinal) tied school NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks.
25 - Eventual 10-year N.L. OF Frankie Baumholtz scored a team-high 19 points for Ohio University in 1941 NIT final defeat against LIU. . . . Connecticut's Ray Allen (36 points vs. UCLA in 1995 West Regional final/subsequently tied), Dartmouth's Audley Brindley (28 vs. Ohio State in 1944 Eastern Regional final), Georgia Tech's Dennis Scott (40 vs. Minnesota in 1990 Southeast Regional final), St. Joseph's Jack Egan (42 vs. Utah in 1961 national third-place contest) and Xavier's Jordan Crawford (32 vs. Kansas State in 2010 West Regional semifinal) set school NCAA playoff single-game scoring records.
26 - UCLA's Bill Walton (44 points vs. Memphis State in 1973) set NCAA Tournament championship game scoring record by sinking a Final Four standard 21-of-22 field-goal attempts (95.5%). Walton's output remains a school NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard. . . . DePaul's Mark Aguirre (34 vs. Penn in 1979 national third-place game) set Final Four single-game scoring mark by a freshman. . . . Buddy Hield (37 vs. Oregon in 2016 West Regional final) tied Oklahoma's NCAA playoff single-game scoring record.
27 - Jim McDaniels (36 points vs. Kansas in 1971 national third-place contest) set Western Kentucky's NCAA playoff single-game scoring record and Ben Gordon (36 vs. Alabama in 2004 Phoenix Regional final) tied Connecticut's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard. . . . Garrison Mathews (44 at North Carolina State in 2019 NIT) established Lipscomb's single-game scoring mark at Division I level.
28 - UNLV's Mark Wade (18 vs. Indiana in 1987 national semifinal) set Final Four single-game record for most assists. Teammate Freddie Banks established Final Four mark for most three-point field goals with 10. Banks established the Big West Conference mark and tied the Rebels' NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard with 38 points against IU. Also tying school NCAA playoff single-game scoring marks were Iowa State's Dustin Hogue (34 vs. Connecticut in 2014 East Regional semifinal) and North Carolina's Al Wood (39 vs. Virginia in 1981 national semifinal). Wood's output set scoring record for NCAA Tournament national semifinal game.
30 - Doremus Bennerman (51 points vs. Kansas State in 1994 NIT third-place game at Madison Square Garden) set Siena's single-game scoring record. . . . Juan Dixon (34 vs. Kansas in 2002 national semifinal) established Maryland's NCAA playoff single-game scoring standard.
31 - Villanova made Final Four-record 18 three-pointers (2018 national semifinal vs. Kansas). . . . Kansas' Jeff Withey (7 rejections vs. Ohio State in 2012 national semifinal) set record for most blocked shots in a Final Four game since they became an official statistic. . . . Duke made the largest comeback in Final Four history, erasing a 22-point deficit to defeat Maryland (95-84 in 2001 national semifinal).
APRIL
3 - John Morton (35 points vs. Michigan in 1989 national final) set Seton Hall's existing NCAA playoff single-game scoring record.
Memorable Moments in February College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in January College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in December College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in November College Basketball History
Retirement Plans: Jones Sleeps On It/Weeps On It/Thinks On It/Drinks To It
February 26th, 2024 - 20:33
It's patently clear not every coach departs with pomp-and-circumstance style such as luminaries John Wooden, Al McGuire, Ray Meyer, Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski when they bowed out. From 1964 to 1975 with Wooden at the helm, UCLA won an NCAA-record 10 national titles, including seven straight from 1967 through 1973. McGuire's goodbye in 1977 with an NCAA title marked Marquette's eighth straight season finishing among the Top 10 in a final wire-service poll. Meyer directed DePaul to a Top 6 finish in a final wire-service poll six times in his final seven seasons from 1978 through 1984. Smith won at least 28 games with North Carolina in four of his final five seasons from 1992-93 through 1996-97. Coach K tied Wooden by reaching Final Four with Duke for 13th time in his swan song.
But fond farewells are the exception, not the rule, in coping with Father Time. Just ask Jeff Jones, who recently stepped down after posting more than 15 victories only once in the last five seasons with Old Dominion. A year ago, Notre Dame's Mike Brey should have asked Smith pupil Roy Williams, who registered a losing ACC record (16-20) over his final two campaigns before retiring several years ago. That was more league losses than he incurred over a five-year span when NCAA titles bookended no-show class seasons from 2005 through 2009. How many school all-time winningest mentors such as Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (incurred at least 14 defeats in six of last seven seasons) rode off into the sunset donning at least a partial black hat rather than a white one? How much they may have tarnished their legacy is debatable but hanging around too long probably caused a few of the following alphabetical list of celebrated coaches losing a portion of their luster:
Dave Bike, Sacred Heart - four straight losing records from 2009-10 through 2012-13 at end of career
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse - incurred at least 14 defeats in six of last seven seasons (2016-17 through 2022-23)
Mike Brey, Notre Dame - only one winning ACC record in last six seasons after reaching second weekend of NCAA Tournament three consecutive campaigns from 2015 through 2017
Dale Brown, Louisiana State - 23 games below .500 with four straight losing campaigns after 10 consecutive NCAA playoff appearances from 1984 through 1993
Howard Cann, NYU - 12 games below .500 in last six seasons after six national postseason tournament appearances from 1943 through 1952
Ben Carnevale, Navy - four non-winning seasons after three national postseason tournament appearances in a four-year span from 1959 through 1962
Everett Case, North Carolina State - only four games above .500 in final five full seasons after averaging 24.6 victories annually his first 13 campaigns from 1946-47 through 1958-59
Gale Catlett, West Virginia - 11 games below .500 in last four seasons after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in an 18-year span from 1981 to 1998
John Chaney, Temple - only 11 games above .500 in final five seasons after 17 NCAA playoff appearances in an 18-year span from 1984 through 2001
Charlie Coles, Miami (Ohio) - 12 games below .500 in last five seasons after appearing in 2007 NCAA playoffs
Denny Crum, Louisville - breakeven mark last four seasons while winless in national postseason play after missing national postseason competition only twice in his first 26 campaigns from 1972 through 1997
Howie Dickenman, Central Connecticut State - five consecutive losing records from 2011-12 through 2015-16 following NCAA playoff appearance in 2007
Ed Diddle, Western Kentucky - 5-16 mark each of his final two seasons after only one losing record in his previous 32 campaigns from 1930-31 through 1961-62
Don Donoher, Dayton - 12 games below .500 with three straight losing campaigns after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in first 22 seasons from 1965 through 1986
Fred Enke, Arizona - only four games above .500 in final five seasons after averaging more than 20 victories annually in nine campaigns from 1942-43 through 1950-51
Jack Friel, Washington State - 71 games below .500 in final six seasons after averaging 19 victories annually with only one losing record in 23-year span from 1929-30 through 1951-52
Taps Gallagher, Niagara - 17 games below .500 in final two seasons after only two losing records in first 29 campaigns from 1931-32 through 1962-63
Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson - 30 games below .500 in final three seasons after appearing in NCAA playoffs and NIT in 2005 and 2006
Jack Hartman, Kansas State - minimum of 14 defeats each of his last four seasons after 11 consecutive first-division finishes in the Big Eight Conference from 1971-72 through 1981-82
Don Haskins, Texas-El Paso - three games below .500 in final four years after 16 consecutive winning campaigns (including 12 20-win seasons) from 1979-80 through 1994-95
Nat Holman, CCNY - losing records each of final five seasons after incurring only two losing marks in first 32 campaigns from 1919-20 through 1950-51
Hank Iba, Oklahoma State - 33 games below .500 his final five campaigns after last NCAA playoff appearance of 36-year tenure with the school in 1965
George Ireland, Loyola of Chicago - 32 games below .500 his final seven campaigns after third NCAA playoff appearance in five years following 1963 NCAA title
Jeff Jones, American University - former Virginia player and coach posted more than 15 victories only once in his last five seasons with Old Dominion after eight 20-win campaigns in 12-year span from 2007-08 through 2018-19
Doggie Julian, Dartmouth - seven straight losing campaigns with fewer than eight victories after five consecutive first- or second-place finishes in the Ivy League with three NCAA playoff appearances from 1955-56 through 1959-60
Gene Keady, Purdue - eight games below .500 his final four seasons after 12 consecutive national postseason tournament appearances from 1990 through 2001
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke - 12 consecutive campaigns without a regular-season conference crown until final season in 2021-22 when ACC was at a low ebb
Piggy Lambert, Purdue - three games below .500 his final four seasons after 23 consecutive winning records from 1920 through 1942
Dave Loos, Austin Peay State - six consecutive non-winning seasons despite reaching NCAA tourney in 2016
Don Maestri, Troy - total of 30 games below .500 over final three campaigns from 2010-11 through 2012-13
Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph's - three consecutive non-winning campaigns and four in last five years upon concluding head-coaching career in 2018-19 after six seasons with at least 24 victories for the Hawks
Fang Mitchell, Coppin State - only one winning record in last 10 seasons from 2004-05 through 2013-14 after 11 consecutive 11 seasons from 1988-89 through 1998-99
Speedy Morris, La Salle - 47 games below .500 his final six campaigns from 1995-96 through 2000-01 after appearing in national postseason competition each of his first six seasons from 1987 through 1992
Gregg Nibert, Presbyterian - 10 losing records in as many seasons at NCAA Division I level through 2016-17
Jim Phelan, Mount St. Mary's - 50 games below .500 his final four campaigns after reaching the 800-win plateau with an NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 1999
Digger Phelps, Notre Dame (all-time leader before Brey) - five games below .500 his final two campaigns after averaging 21 victories annually in a 17-year span from 1972-73 through 1988-89
Harry Rabenhorst, Louisiana State (all-time leader before Brown) - 35 games below .500 in final three seasons after going undefeated in SEC competition in back-to-back years in 1952-53 and 1953-54
Rick Samuels, Eastern Illinois - 21 games below .500 in final four seasons after appearing in 2001 NCAA playoffs
Fred Taylor, Ohio State - 20 games below .500 in final three seasons after 11 top three finishes in Big Ten Conference standings in a 14-year span from 1959-60 through 1972-73
M.K. Turk, Southern Mississippi - nine games below .500 in final five seasons after back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1990 and 1991
Ralph Underhill, Wright State - nine games below .500 in final three seasons after NCAA playoff appearance in 1993
Mike Vining, Louisiana-Monroe - 22 games below .500 in final three seasons after sixth 20-win campaign in 2001-02
Sox Walseth, Colorado - 40 games below .500 in final seven seasons after Big Eight Conference championship in 1969
Clifford Wells, Tulane - 12 games below .500 in final six seasons after 12 non-losing campaigns from 1945-46 through 1956-57
Carroll Williams, Santa Clara - eight games below .500 in final three seasons after five 20-win campaigns in seven years from 1982-83 through 1988-89
Roy Williams, North Carolina - four games below .500 in league competition (16-20) in final two seasons in "down" ACC in 2019-20 and 2020-21 after finishing among top three in league standings 13 of previous 15 campaigns
Never Never Land: You Never Get Any Fun Out of Things You Haven't Done
February 24th, 2024 - 9:41
"No, you never get any fun out of the things you haven't done." - Ogden Nash
To freedom loving red-white-and-blue-blooded Americans, Never Never Land is prospect of possible detainment in re-education camps promoted by press pestilence Katie Couric and Eugene Robinson. But nobody other than smug DC swamp cancel-culture creatures said it was going to be court-storming easy. Just ask Grambling, which endured a 44-year streak failing to appear in NCAA Tournament since SWAC moved up to Division I status in 1979-80, and Stetson, which failed to win TAAC/Atlantic Sun Conference championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since the Hatters joined league 37 years ago in 1986-87, before they finally ending their droughts this year. The preceding quote definitely rings true for trying to leave Never Never Land behind on the following list of college basketball's noteworthy virgin territory:
87: Seasons for The Citadel failing to win Southern Conference championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since the Bulldogs joined league in 1936-37.
85: Seasons for Big Ten Conference member Northwestern plus Ivy League members Harvard and Yale failing to participate in NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
70: Years for Clemson failing to win ACC Tournament title since formation of league in 1953-54.
54: Mountain West Conference entrants without any of them reaching an NCAA playoff regional final. . . . Years for Northwestern as only power-league member failing to lose undergraduate as high draft selection by the NBA or ABA since 1971.
46: Seasons for Duquesne failing to win Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship since its formation (Dukes out of league in 1992-93).
45: Seasons for no Big East Conference member to go unbeaten in league competition since its formation. . . . Seasons for Arizona State failing to win Pac-12 Conference championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since the Sun Devils joined league in 1978-79 (league tourney commenced in 1987).
44: Seasons for Bowling Green failing to win Mid-American Conference Tournament championship since inception of event in 1980. . . . Seasons for Florida A&M failing to win SWAC or MEAC regular-season championship since joining MEAC in 1979-80.
43: Seasons for MEAC and SWAC members never reaching Sweet 16 since number of automatic qualifiers was increased to at least 26 in 1981. . . . Seasons for no Northeast Conference member to go unbeaten in league competition since its formation.
42: Seasons without an undefeated team in Summit League competition since formation of conference when it was known as Mid-Continent.
41: Seasons for William & Mary failing to win CAA Tournament championship since the Tribe joined conference in 1982-83. . . . Seasons for Maryland-Eastern Shore failing to win MEAC championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since the Hawks rejoined league at Division I level in 1982-83.
37: NCAA Tournament appearances for Notre Dame without the Fighting Irish reaching national championship contest. . . . NCAA Tournament appearances for Texas without the Longhorns winning a national championship.
35: Seasons for Leonard Hamilton as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four.
34: NCAA Tournament appearances for Purdue without winning a national championship.
33: Seasons for Army failing to win Patriot League championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since formation of conference in 1990-91. . . . NCAA Tournament appearances for Oklahoma and Temple without either school winning a national championship.
32: NCAA Tournament appearances for Illinois and Kansas State without winning a national championship.
31: NCAA Tournament appearances for West Virginia without the school winning national title. . . . Seasons for Penn State failing to win Big Ten Conference championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since the Nittany Lions joined league in 1992-93. . . . Seasons for retiring Jeff Jones as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four.
30: NCAA Tournament appearances for Brigham Young without the Cougars reaching a Final Four. . . . NCAA Tournament appearances for St. John's without the school winning national title.
29: NCAA Tournament appearances for Missouri and Xavier without the schools reaching a Final Four. . . . Seasons for Herb Sendek as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final.
28: Seasons for La Salle failing to win Atlantic 10 Conference championship (regular season or postseason tournament) since school joined league in 1995-96. . . . Seasons for Steve Alford as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final.
27: Seasons for Eastern Illinois failing to win Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship since the Panthers joined league in 1996-97. . . . Seasons for Cal Poly failing to win Big West Conference regular-season championship since the Mustangs joined league in 1996-97. . . . Seasons for Cal State Sacramento failing to finish among top two in Big Sky Conference standings or reach postseason tournament title game since joining league in 1996-97. . . . Seasons for Tommy Amaker as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final. . . . Seasons for Fran McCaffery as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
26: NCAA Tournament appearances for Princeton without the Tigers reaching a national final. . . . Seasons for Northwestern failing to reach Big Ten Conference Tournament championship contest since inception of event in 1997-98. . . . Seasons for Marist and Rider failing to win Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship since they joined the league in 1997-98. Marist never has reached MAAC tourney final. . . . Seasons for Dan Monson as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four.
25: NCAA Tournament appearances for Tennessee without the Volunteers reaching a Final Four. . . . Seasons for Lorenzo Romar as Division I coaches without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final. . . . Seasons for Ron Hunter as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. . . . Seasons for Greg Kampe and Bob Marlin as Division I coaches without posting an NCAA Tournament victory.
24: NCAA Tournament appearances for Alabama and Creighton without either school reaching a Final Four. . . . Seasons for Colorado State failing to win Mountain West Conference regular-season championship and Air Force failing to reach MWC Tournament title game since formation of league in 1999-00. . . . Seasons for Rod Barnes as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final.
23: Seasons for Travis Ford as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
22: Different coaches for Army-West Point (including Bob Knight and Mike Krzyzewski) failing to reach NCAA playoffs with Cadets since inaugural event in 1939 . . . Seasons for Steve Donahue as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final. . . . Seasons for Mark Schmidt as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. . . . Seasons for Johnny Jones as Division I coach without posting an NCAA Tournament victory. . . . Seasons for Keith Richard as Division I coach without earning an NCAA Tournament berth.
21: Seasons for Brad Brownell as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final. . . . Seasons for Ritchie McKay as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. . . . Seasons for Tod Kowalczyk as Division I coach without appearing in NCAA Tournament. . . . Different coaches for The Citadel (including Norm Sloan and Les Robinson) failing to reach NCAA playoffs with Bulldogs since inaugural event in 1939.
20: Seasons for Jamie Dixon as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four.
19: NCAA Tournament appearances for Boston College without the Eagles reaching a regional final. . . . Seasons for Matt Painter as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four.
18: Different coaches for William & Mary (including Bruce Parkhill and Charlie Woollum) failing to reach NCAA playoffs with Tribe since inaugural event in 1939.
17: NCAA playoff appearances for Miami (Ohio) without school reaching a regional final. . . . NCAA playoff appearances for Murray State without the Racers reaching a Sweet 16. . . . NCAA playoff appearances for Arizona State and Weber State without reaching a regional final. . . . Seasons for coach Ed Cooley without reaching an NCAA Tournament regional final.
16: Seasons for Buzz Williams as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Final Four. . . . Seasons for Kevin Willard as Division I coach without reaching an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
15: NCAA Tournament appearances for Texas A&M without the Aggies reaching a regional final.
13: NCAA Tournament appearances for Clemson without the Tigers reaching a Final Four.
12: NCAA Tournament appearances for coach Sean Miller without reaching a Final Four.
11: Seasons for Missouri failing to win SEC regular-season title since joining conference in 2012-13.
9: NCAA playoff appearances for Boise State without school posting a victory (most by any school winless in tourney).
8: NCAA Tournament defeats for Eastern Kentucky.
7: NCAA playoff appearances for Nebraska without school posting a victory.
BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
A striking number of universities haven't even received a participation trophy. In the aftermath of Stetson (1972) and Grambling (1978) shedding blemish this season, following is an alphabetical list of 14 NCAA playoff wannabees failing to appear in the national tournament despite being classified at DI level more than 30 years (first season classified as major college in parentheses): Army (1948), Bethune-Cookman (1981), Cal State Northridge (1992), Cal State Sacramento (1992), Chicago State (1985), The Citadel (1948), Maine (1962), Maryland-Eastern Shore (1982), New Hampshire (1962), Tennessee-Martin (1993), Texas-Rio Grande Valley (1969), UMKC (1990), Western Illinois (1982), William & Mary (1948) and Youngstown State (1982).
Presidential Candidates Way: Former College Hoopers Becoming Politicians
February 19th, 2024 - 9:11
Much is written about college basketball in the daily newspaper sports pages, weekly/monthly specialty magazines and on the internet. But you might be surprised the extent to which the written word beyond The Audacity of Hoop, much of it outside the world of sports, emanates from former college basketball players who became politicians.
For instance, politician extraordinaire Dean Rusk, Davidson's most noted alumnus pre-Stephen Curry who wrote his memoirs in the book As I Saw It, was a star center in the late 1920s and early 1930s with former Davidson President Dr. D. Grier Martin (1957 until 1968).
"Basketball at Davidson reminds me of the old French proverb, 'Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose,'" said Rusk, who served as Secretary of State under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson during the Vietnam War era. "The game itself has been revolutionized since I played it. We once beat North Carolina 17-12; it was not a slowdown game. We both were trying like everything. What has remained the same has been the sheer fun of it, the stimulation of competition, the experience of losing as well as winning and the recognition that basketball is a sport in which a small college can take on the big fellows."
Former Princeton All-American Bill Bradley, a three-term U.S. Senator (Democrat-N.J.) until 1995, took on the "big fellows" as a presidential candidate in 2000 and wrote a book called We Can All Do Better. Bradley, a tax and trade expert with a strong voice on race issues and campaign finance reform, authored two basketball volumes (Life on the Run in 1976 and Values of the Game in 1998).
"The lessons learned from it (basketball) stay with you," Rhodes Scholar Bradley wrote of the sport he still loves. "I was determined that no one would outwork me."
The information is as difficult to pry loose as liberal lunatics in #MessMedia acknowledging deceased Rush Limbaugh was infinitely more talented than them for decades, transcripts of #ShrillaryRotten's overpaid speeches before Wall Street benefactors and ledger detailing Congressional slush-fund payouts regarding representatives trafficking in creepy stuff. You might not know it, but there is a striking number of luminaries who displayed determination in the political arena and wrote books after "working the crowd" in a college basketball arena. Majority of them boasted a mite more dignity than disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and backtracking press puke previously fawning over him.
Democratic political consultant Thomas "Tad" Devine, who averaged 2.4 ppg and 1.1 rpg with Brown in 1975-76, was senior advisor in Al Gore's 2000 and John Kerrey's 2004 Presidential campaigns. Devine was also the chief strategist for Bernie Sanders' 2016 Presidential run. Essentially, the following lineup represents a rebuttal to the chronic complainers who cite politicians generally and writers specifically as individuals who don't know anything about sports generally and college hoops specifically. In deference to Presidents' Day, following is an alphabetical list of additional politicians-turned-authors who played the game:
SCOTT BROWN, Tufts (Mass.)
Stunning upset victory in special election in January 2010, becoming the first Republican elected to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 1979. Brown, filling the Senate seat that opened when Ted Kennedy died the previous August, drove his GMC Canyon pickup with over 200,000 miles on it everywhere during a savvy campaign. Authored a book Against All Odds released in 2011.
At Tufts (class of '81), he was known as "Downtown" Scotty Brown because of his long-range marksmanship. Averaging 9 ppg as a freshman in 1977-78, he earned an ECAC Rookie of the Week award that season. As a sophomore, he averaged 9.9 ppg and scored 35 points in a victory against Bowdoin. As a junior, he made 54.3% of his shots and had back-to-back games of 26 and 25 points against Curry and Trinity, respectively, en route to averaging 10.8 ppg. Senior co-captain capped his career with a 10.3-point scoring average, including a 35-point outburst against Brandeis. "He was not born with great basketball attributes," said his coach (John White) in a feature about Brown during his senior season. "He has gone beyond his limitations, which is very admirable." Converted more than half of his career field-goal attempts (422 of 853). Brown's 6-0 daughter, Ayla, was a starting guard most of her career with Boston College from 2006-07 through 2009-10, posting career highs of 18 points against Clemson and 14 rebounds against Wake Forest. Ayla has also released three albums after being a semifinalist in the fifth season of "American Idol," impressing the judges with her rendition of Christina Aguilera's "Reflection."
ROBERT CASEY, Holy Cross
Pennsylvania's 42nd governor served two terms from 1987 to 1995 after winning in his fourth attempt for the office. Casey, a coal miner's son, ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 1996. Pro-life candidate suffered from a rare hereditary disease that caused him to become a heart-liver transplant recipient. He died in late May, 2000, at the age of 68.
He was a 6-2 freshman in 1949-50 when Holy Cross senior Bob Cousy was an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American. The 6-2 Casey averaged 1.3 ppg in 1950-51 and 1952-53. Excerpt from Casey's 1996 autobiography Fighting for Life: "I remember best the moments I was on the court with Cousy. He was an icon in the making - a genius with a basketball. Our freshman team provided cannon fodder for Cousy and the rest of the varsity team in practice. What I remember most about Cousy was that he was always the first guy on the court at night, refining his moves a hundred times before practice even started."
WILLIAM COHEN, Bowdoin (Maine)
Moderate Republican was Secretary of Defense in President Clinton's administration after serving as a Senator from Maine. He moonlighted as an author and had a stint in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979. Cohen's first bask in the national spotlight came when he voted, as a House member, to impeach President Nixon. In 1992, he pushed to reauthorize the "independent counsel" law and became a founder of the Republican Majority Coalition. "In team sports, there's a game plan," Cohen said in Ira Berkow's Court Vision. "When you're talking military it's still a game plan, but it's a war plan.
It's either how to prevent a war from taking place or what happens if you have to go to war and how you structure your forces, what happens if, what are the contingency plans, what is the escalation. All of that is not identical to a game plan, but it's training and practice." Cohen wrote The New Art of the Leader among several books, including mysteries, poetry and (with George Mitchell) an analysis of the Iran-contra affair. His second wife is author Janet Langhart, who was known as "First Lady of the Pentagon" during Cohen's tenure as Secretary.
The New England Basketball All-Star Hall of Fame inductee led Bowdoin in scoring all three varsity seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 (career-high 16 ppg as a junior). "A two-handed set shot was obsolete in college when I was playing, but I shot it," Cohen said. "I was able to shoot it from very far and get it off very fast. Dolph Schayes was kind of a role model for me."
ROBERT J. DOLE, Kansas
Represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1997. Senate majority leader from 1985 to 1987 and again starting in 1995 when he began his third quest for the Republican presidential nomination. He was the Republican nominee for Vice President as Gerald Ford's running mate in 1976.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ben Cramer described Dole as a good player who "could handle the ball, shooting that newfangled one-hand push shot, and big and tough under the boards." Member of Kansas' freshman basketball team in 1942-43 for one semester before enlisting in the Army during World War II, where his right shoulder was destroyed in a mortar barrage in the Italian mountains. He spent 39 months in and out of hospitals, returning to his hometown of Russell, Kan., to recuperate from the wound that also cost him a kidney. A book about his recovery, A Soldier's Story, was published in 2005.
JOHN H. GLENN JR., Muskingum (Ohio)
U.S. Senator (Democrat from Ohio) for 24 years and former astronaut. In 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. Nearly 40 years later, he became the oldest human to enter space when he joined the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. Among the seven candidates who lost to Walter Mondale for the 1984 Democratic Party nomination.
In Glenn's memoir, he wrote: "I went out for the freshman basketball squad and made that, but I noticed that while I had not gotten any faster or grown any taller, the other players had." He also played freshman football in college before World War II interrupted his career. "Each individual has to prepare himself to do his very best, whether it's in an individual or team sport," Glenn said. "In team sports, you have to have great teamwork to reach any goal, which is exactly what we have to do in life after athletics and college."
AL GORE, Harvard
Democratic Presidential nominee against George W. Bush in 2000 waged a long-shot campaign for president in 1988, when he was 39. Vice President in Bill Clinton's administration was a Senator from Tennessee after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1985. Shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize after his film An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary on global warming, won an Academy Award. Gore's book with the same title was published concurrently with the theatrical release. For the "Unabomber" crowd that believes dinosaurs became extinct because they burped and farted too much, he subsequently wrote similar environmental-related books called The Assault on Reason, Our Choice and Earth in the Balance.
Gore averaged 2.8 ppg for Harvard's 12-4 freshman team in 1965-66. In the biography Inventing Al Gore, he was described as "rarely playing but working on his game incessantly." His competitive drive led him to challenge roommates "out of the blue" to push-ups, a vestige of the boyhood regimen imposed by his Senator father. He "wanted to challenge you or himself, intellectually or physically. He was always, 'I bet I can beat you at the last thing you did.'"
LEE H. HAMILTON, DePauw (Ind.)
Vice Chairman of 9/11 Commission and co-chair of Iraq Study Group in 2006 was a leading Democratic voice on foreign policy and a steadying force in the House of Representatives for 34 years from 1965 through 1998. He chaired three committees - Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Joint Economic - and was the ranking minority member of the House International Relations Committee. Representing Indiana's Ninth District, he retained not only his crew cut but also his moderate, common-sense approach and a Methodist work ethic that got him to his office nearly every day before 6 a.m. Wrote a book called How Congress Works and Why You Should Care.
Ranked fourth on DePauw's career scoring list when he graduated in 1952. The 6-4 Hamilton led the team in scoring as a junior (11.4 ppg) and was the second-leading scorer as a sophomore (9.8 ppg) and senior (10.9 ppg).
VANCE HARTKE, Evansville
Mayor of Evansville before serving as U.S. Senator from Indiana (1959-77). Democrat ran for President in 1972 as an anti-war candidate, finishing as high as fifth in the New Hampshire Primary. He wrote four books, including "The American Crisis in Vietnam."
Graduated in 1940.
HENRY "HANK" HYDE, Georgetown/Duke
Starting out as a Democrat, he became a 12-term Republican Congressman from Illinois and eventual chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. His towering stature as a lawmaker made him the ideal GOP point-man to lead an impeachment inquiry of President Clinton. Wrote books called Moral Universe and Forfeiting Our Property Rights.
He was a forward-center for Georgetown's 1943 NCAA Tournament runner-up that compiled a 22-5 record. The 6-3 Hyde scored two points in a 53-49 victory over a Chicago hometown team, DePaul, and fellow freshman George Mikan in the Eastern Regional final (playoff semifinals) before going scoreless in a championship game loss against Wyoming. "I can only say about the way I guarded him (Mikan scored one point in the second half) that I will burn in purgatory," Hyde deadpanned. "The rules were considerably bent." The next season as a Naval trainee at Duke, he earned a letter but was scoreless in the Blue Devils' 44-27 Southern Conference championship game victory over North Carolina. Hyde served as an ensign in the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters during World War II before re-enrolling at Georgetown, where he graduated in 1947. Twenty-one years later, Clinton earned his diploma from the same university. Sketch of Hyde in Georgetown guide: "Possesses a pivot shot, difficult to stop, and a shot made while cutting from the bucket to give his scoring threats a double edge."
TOM McMILLEN, Maryland
Co-chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness under Bill Clinton. Elected in 1987 as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland. From 1991 to 2003, he served on the Knight Foundation's Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics investigating abuses within college sports. He is co-author of Out of Bounds, a book on sports and ethics in America.
The 6-11 center averaged 20.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in three seasons for Maryland from 1971-72 through 1973-74. Member of 1972 U.S. Olympic team is the only player in Terrapins history to have a career scoring average above 20 ppg. Averaged 8.1 points and four rebounds in 11 NBA seasons (1975-76 through 1985-86) with four different franchises.
GEORGE MITCHELL, Bowdoin (Maine)
Devout Democrat assumed position as Majority Leader in 1989 after arriving in the Senate from Maine in 1980. The son of a janitor received more than 80% of the vote in 1988. He served as independent chairman of talks that culminated in the signing of the Northern Ireland peace accord in April, 1998 and was tapped by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to spearhead an investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs by players. Mitchell served as Disney Chairman of the Board from March 2004 until January 2007. He has written several books - Not For America Alone, World on Fire and Making Peace.
Wiry point guard was a senior in 1953-54 when he scored eight points in eight games.
SAM NUNN, Georgia Tech
Democratic Senator from Georgia retired in 1996 after four six-year terms. Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, who served in the Coast Guard, helped defeat President Clinton's intention to allow open gays and lesbians in the military. He authored books on working to reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
His sketch is included in the 1957-58 Georgia Tech guide as a non-scholarship sophomore. However, Nunn is not included in the 1957-58 school scoring statistics, which include all players who scored, and is not listed on the 1958-59 roster. His son, Brian, played for Emory University in Atlanta.
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, Occidental (Calif.)
U.S. Senator from Illinois outlasted Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election before defeating Republican John McCain to become the nation's first African-American commander-in-chief. Authored a book entitled Audacity of Hope.
The 6-1 1/2 lefthander played on Occidental's junior varsity squad in 1979-80 before transferring to Columbia and subsequently attending Harvard Law School. In Dreams From My Father, Obama described basketball as a comfort to a boy whose father was mostly absent, and who was one of only a few black youths at his school in Hawaii. "At least on the basketball court I could find a community of sorts," he wrote. Pickup basketball was his escape from the sport of politics. Brother-in-law Craig Robinson, a two-time Ivy League MVP with Princeton, was Oregon State's coach when Obama was elected.
PAUL SARBANES, Princeton
Democrat served as a member of House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 and Maryland Senator from 1977 to 2007. Consistent and staunch advocate for Greek-American issues. His son, John, held dad's old House seat.
Teammate of Chuck DeVoe (co-founder of ABA's Indiana Pacers), John Emery (president of McGraw-Hill publishing division) and Dave Sisler (MLB pitcher) scored 19 points in 12 games in 1951-52, including a made free throw against Dayton in East Regional third-place game.
ALAN K. SIMPSON, Wyoming
U.S. Senator from Wyoming (1978-96) was a staunch conservative and loyal lieutenant to Republican leader Bob Dole. Simpson's father, Milward, served in the same capacity (1962-67). The younger Simpson, who garnered 78% of the vote in 1984, served as chairman of Veterans' Affairs and Social Security and Family Policy. He charmed the Washington establishment with his earthy wit and folksy wisdom, becoming somewhat of a media darling because of his pithy quotes. Simpson authored a book Right in the Old Gazoo - a lifetime of scraping with the Press.
Forward-center earned a letter in 1952-53 after scoring seven points in six games for a team that went on to participate in the NCAA Tournament. He also played football for the Cowboys.
MILWARD SIMPSON, Wyoming
Governor of Wyoming (1954-58) and U.S. Senator from Wyoming (1962-67). Prior to holding elective office, he was a member of his alma mater's Board of Trustees and was the board's president for several years. His son, Alan, played basketball and football for Wyoming in 1952-53 before becoming a U.S. Senator.
Leading scorer for 1918 Wyoming team with 11.6 ppg. He also captained the school's football and baseball teams. Winner in the sports category as Wyoming Citizen of the Century.
JOHN THUNE, Biola (Calif.)
South Dakota member of House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003 until the Republican defeated Democratic Senate leader Tom Daschle in 2004. Considered possible successor to Mitch O'Connell as Republican Senate Leader.
The 6-4 Thune played two seasons (1979-80 and 1982-83), averaging 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 37 games while shooting 40% from the floor and 73.3% from the free-throw line. His father, Harold Thune, was a starting guard for Minnesota in 1940-41 and 1941-42.
MORRIS "MO" UDALL, Arizona
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1961 to 1991) and candidate for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Brother of former Secretary of the Interior Stew Udall served as Chairman of the House Interior and Insular Affairs. Stemming from his wit, columnist James J. Kilpatrick labeled him "too funny to be president," which wound up being the title of his autobiography.
He was the Wildcats' captain and second-leading scorer with an average of 10 points per game for the 1946-47 Border Conference titlist finishing with a 21-3 record. The next year, he was the leading scorer (13.3 average) on an Arizona squad that successfully defended its league crown. The 6-5, 200-pound forward-center was named to the first five on the 1947-48 Border Conference all-star team and finished second in the league in scoring. He played with Denver in the National Basketball League in 1948-49.
ESPN's Jay Williams Wins "Emmy" For Inane Commentary on Clark's Legacy
February 18th, 2024 - 9:39
The good news for ESPN is that the network won't have to conduct another Emmy scam (returned 37 Emmys for using fake names in 13-year scheme to get awards for ineligible on-air "talent"). After all, Jay Williams already clinched award for dumbest basketball commentary of the year on College GameDay by saying "I am unwilling to say she is great yet (needs to win championship)" after Iowa scoring sensation Caitlan Clark became the most prolific major-college point producer in women's basketball history. Caitlan also paces nation in assists and doesn't one from us, but Williams' lame performance was nearly as feeble an effort as exhibited by "great" players in a listless NBA All-Star Game and as incisive as pap from ex-colleague Jemelle Hill.
The bad news is Williams' wisdom is as memoir moronic as anyone claiming colleague Screamin' A. Stiff was a regal recruit for Hall of Fame coach Clarence "Bighouse" Gaines at Winston-Salem State and bound to become the next Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (only Jason Whitlock knows for certain whether Stephen A. Smith incurred a severe knee injury). By any measure, Clark is easily the most compelling - yes greatest - story in all of college basketball this season, making Williams' comment on her more idiotic than an ill-advised motorcycle jaunt. After a mediocre rookie season with the Chicago Bulls in 2002-03, second pick overall in NBA draft incurred career-ending injuries crashing his Yamaha R6 into a utility pole (not wearing a helmet and not licensed to ride in Illinois).
Sounding like the Claudine Gay of hoop analysts, let's hope "diversity" doesn't have anything to do with Williams' assessment as Harvard-like doubt lingers he would say similar thing about college careers of Lisa Leslie and Sylvia Fowles. Brain damage or not, something must have happened to his cognitive ability leaving him impaired almost like Plagiarist Biledumb conducting unethical business with son hideous Hunter comparable to Williams' suspect stint toiling for a sports agency. "Legal Title" argument from Williams makes virtually no sense and leaves impression he must be related to anal attorneys Alvin Bragg, Letitia James and Fani Willis. You're also more piker than biker in role as analyst if you don't acknowledge more than 125 male All-Americans never participated in both the NCAA playoffs and NIT - let alone capture a crown - since the introduction of national postseason competition in the late 1930s. Were none of them "great" college players (including two-time Duke All-American Dick Groat before becoming eight-time MLB All-Star shortstop)?
Upon disrespecting Clark, does Williams - leader in scoring and assists for Duke's 2001 titlist while also pacing NCAA in turnovers with 154 - also bang the floor 154 times looking down with a scowl when evaluating Pete Maravich, the all-time leading men's scorer? Maravich is a prime example regarding the specter of tourney trials. Maravich's star, shining so brightly as the NCAA's all-time leading men's scorer (3,667 points), faded before some cynics questioning whether he was a team player because LSU was only two games above .500 against SEC competition and didn't participate in the NCAA Tournament while he was in college. He is the only three-time first-team All-American failing to appear in the NCAA playoffs. Don't seek to Pistol-whip anyone, but Maravich's college career scoring average (44.2 ppg) is significantly higher than Williams' single-game career-high in scoring (38 against Kentucky in OT). In the NBA, Pistol Pete provided a career-high of 68 points while HG for Williams was 26 (one of only three of more than 20).
How about "great" collegians proceeding to have infinitely more success at the NBA level than Williams' brief underachieving pro career? Let us get this straight regarding Williams' oral turnover. If comprehending his logic, Charles Barkley never was "great" in college (lost only NCAA playoff game in three seasons with Auburn) or the NBA (11-time All-Star scored 23,757 points but earned no championship ring in 16-year career). Despite a college crown, did Williams' nondescript rookie campaign give any indication he was going to be a "greater" pro guard than Joe Dumars, Damian Lillard, Jeff Malone, Maravich, John Stockton and Dick Van Arsdale (each of whom scored more than 15,000 NBA points)?
How about Hall of Famer Julius Erving, the first former major-college player to become NBA Most Valuable Player (1980-81 with the Philadelphia 76ers) after never participating in the NCAA tourney? Erving (Massachusetts) is the lone major-college player in history to average more than 25 points and 20 rebounds in a career. Although many of Jaded Jay's not-so-great-in-college pro stalwarts resembled Erving and participated in the NIT, following are more than 20 of the highest scorers in NBA and ABA history to play at least two years of varsity basketball for a major college but never have opportunity to capture an NCAA title because they didn't appear in the Division I playoffs at all (less-than-great member Klay Thompson recently surpassed 15,000-point threshold):
| Non-NCAA Tourney Player | College (Varsity Seasons) | College Record | NIT Mark | Pro Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Erving | Massachusetts (1970 and 1971) | 41-11 | 0-2 | 30,026 |
| Dominique Wilkins | Georgia (1980-82) | 52-37 | 4-2 | 26,668 |
| Rick Barry | Miami, Fla. (1963-65) | 65-16 | 1-2 | 25,279 |
| Robert Parish | Centenary (1973-76) | 87-21 | DNP | 23,334 |
| Walt Bellamy | Indiana (1959-61) | 46-24 | DNP | 20,941 |
| *Damian Lillard | Weber State (2009-12) | 84-42 | 0-2 | 20,632 |
| John Stockton | Gonzaga (1981-84) | 64-45 | DNP | 19,711 |
| Chet Walker | Bradley (1960-62) | 69-14 | 3-1 | 18,831 |
| Lou Hudson | Minnesota (1964-66) | 50-22 | DNP | 17,940 |
| Lenny Wilkens | Providence (1958-60) | 62-18 | 5-3 | 17,772 |
| Bailey Howell | Mississippi State (1957-59) | 61-14 | DNP | 17,770 |
| Otis Thorpe | Providence (1981-84) | 47-68 | DNP | 17,600 |
| *Paul George | Fresno State (2009 and 2010) | 28-39 | DNP | 17,484 |
| Kevin McHale | Minnesota (1977-80) | 73-40 | 4-1 | 17,335 |
| Kevin Willis | Michigan State (1982-84) | 43-43 | 1-1 | 17,253 |
| Jeff Malone | Mississippi State (1980-83) | 46-64 | DNP | 17,231 |
| Joe Dumars | McNeese State (1982-85) | 64-53 | DNP | 16,401 |
| Billy Cunningham | North Carolina (1963-65) | 42-27 | DNP | 16,310 |
| Pete Maravich | Louisiana State (1968-70) | 49-35 | 2-2 | 15,948 |
| Jack Twyman | Cincinnati (1952-55) | 54-47 | 2-1 | 15,840 |
| Dick Van Arsdale | Indiana (1963-65) | 41-31 | DNP | 15,079 |
| *Klay Thompson | Washington State (2009-11) | 55-44 | 0-1 | 15,022 |
*Lillard, George and Thompson are active NBA players.
NOTES: Stockton and fellow guard Bill Sharman (Southern California) join Erving, Barry and Wilkins on the list of major-college players to never appear in the NCAA Tournament before selection to an All-NBA Team at least six times. . . . Centenary has never participated in the NCAA playoffs. . . . Walker-led Bradley won the 1960 NIT with an 88-72 title game victory over Wilkens-led Providence. . . . Cincinnati (first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1958), Georgia (1983), Minnesota (1972), Mississippi State (1963) and Providence (1964) didn't reach the NCAA playoffs for the first time until the college playing careers of Twyman, Wilkins, Hudson, Howell and Wilkens had ended, respectively. . . . Bellamy, Hudson, Maravich, Twyman and Wilkins never participated in the NBA championship series. . . . Erving (Philadelphia 76ers '83), Barry (Golden State Warriors '75), Parish (Celtics '81, '84 and '86), Walker (76ers '67), Howell (Celtics '68 and '69), McHale (Celtics '81, '84 and '86), Cunningham (76ers '67) and Klay Thompson played on NBA championship teams. . . . The only individual to become NBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player to participate in the NCAA Tournament but never be on a team to win an NCAA playoff game was Dave Cowens, who managed just 11 points and four rebounds as a sophomore for Florida State in 1968 when the Seminoles lost in the first round of the Mideast Regional against East Tennessee State (79-69). . . . In addition to Hudson and McHale, three other Minnesota alums scored more than 10,000 points in the NBA after never participating in the NCAA Tournament - Mychal Thompson (12,810), Archie Clark (11,819) and Ray Williams (10,158). . . . Spencer Haywood (1968-69 with Detroit) and George McGinnis (1970-71 with Indiana) both scored more than 17,000 points in the pros after averaging at least 30 points per game in their only year in college before entering the ABA. . . . Bellamy, McGinnis, Van Arsdale and Van Arsdale's twin brother, Tom, combine to make Indiana the only school to have as many as four of its players score more than 14,000 points in the pros after never appearing in the NCAA playoffs or NIT. Tom Van Arsdale, finishing his 12-year pro career with 14,232 points after playing for five different teams, is the highest scorer in NBA history to never participate in the NBA playoffs. . . . Barkley, Lillard, Maravich, Stockton, Wilkens and Wilkins are joined by luminaries Carmelo Anthony, Elgin Baylor, Patrick Ewing, James Harden, Allen Iverson, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Nate Thurmond and Russell Westbrook in never earning an NBA championship ring.
Memorable Moments For Super Bowl Spotlight Shining on Ex-College Hoopers
February 10th, 2024 - 12:52
Former NCAA Tournament hoopers Antonio Gates (Kent State) and Tony Gonzalez (California) - two of the top three tight end reception leaders in NFL history - never participated in the Super Bowl. The absence of their 22 combined years as NFL All-Pros helped open the door for some other ex-college hoopers to emerge in the Super Bowl spotlight. Following are the 10 most memorable plays in Super Bowl history - good and bad - involving former college hoopers:
- Jacoby Jones (Lane TN hooper in 05-06) - Ravens WR supplied Super Bowl record 109-yard kickoff return for a touchdown opening the second half of SB XLVII against the 49ers.
- Don Beebe (Aurora College IL 84/JV) - Despite trailing by 35 points, Bills WR delivered iconic hustle play in Super Bowl XXVII against the Cowboys when stripping Leon Lett of the ball for a touchback just before the showboating defensive end crossed the goal line following running more than 60 yards after fumble recovery.
- John Mackey (Syracuse 61) - Colts TE had 75-yard reception on a deflected pass from Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas early in second quarter for first touchdown of game in Super Bowl V against the Cowboys.
- Andre Rison (Michigan State 86-88) - Packers WR opened scoring in Super Bowl XXXI with a 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre on their first pass play against the Patriots.
- Otis Taylor (Prairie View A&M in early 60s) - Chiefs WR tallied a game-long 46-yard touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue 57) to cap off scoring in Super Bowl IV. Taylor broke a sideline tackle attempt from Vikings LCB Earsell Mackbee (averaged 3.4 ppg for Utah State in 1964-65 as teammate of All-American Wayne Estes).
- Antwan Randle El (Indiana 99) - Steelers WR threw flea flicker 43-yard touchdown pass to game MVP Hines Ward to cap off scoring in Super Bowl XL against the Seahawks.
- Jordan Norwood (Penn State 07) - Broncos backup WR, escaping numerous Panthers defenders upon receiving punt, returned it for Super Bowl-record 61 yards in second quarter of Super Bowl 50.
- Bob Griese (Purdue 65) - Dolphins QB sacked for a 29-yard loss by Cowboys RDT Bob Lilly late in opening quarter of Super Bowl VI.
- Roger Staubach (Navy 63) - Five-time Pro Bowl TE Jackie Smith, lured out of St. Louis Cardinals retirement by Cowboys, was a little off-balance but flubbed the easiest of touchdown catches from Staubach hitting him right in numbers in third quarter of Super Bowl XIII four-point setback against the Steelers.
- Percy Howard (Austin Peay State 73-75) - Cowboys backup WR had a 34-yard touchdown catch in Super Bowl X. It was one-hit wonder's only NFL reception. A Hail Mary pass in his general direction from Staubach at game's end was foiled by the Steelers.
Ranking 58 Premier Former College Hoopers Participating in NFL's Super Bowl
February 9th, 2024 - 14:05
Excluding wondering about the variety of grub to be consumed at Super Bowl LVIII party, college basketball enthusiasts might rather want to enjoy know which former hoopers impacted the championship contest over its 58-year history. Emphasizing criteria including multiple appearances, following is a list ranking 58 former varsity hoopers - including multiple athletes from mid-majors Idaho, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Southern, Texas-El Paso and Utah State - impacting Super Bowl history the most from schools currently at the NCAA DI level:
| Rank | Four-Year College Hooper | Current DI School/Hoop Season(s) | Super Bowl Participation Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Roger Staubach | Navy 63 | Cowboys QB completed 61-of-98 passes for 744 yards and eight touchdowns in four Super Bowls (VI, X, XII and XIII). Receivers for three of his TD passes were former major-college hoopers (Mike Ditka/Billy Joe DuPree/Percy Howard). |
| 2. | Rodney Harrison | Western Illinois 93 | SS with Chargers contributed one solo tackle in Super Bowl XXIX. After switching coasts and joining Patriots, he registered team-high eight solo tackles in SB XXVIII, game-high 10 solo tackles in SB XXXIX and game-high 11 solo tackles in SB XLII. |
| 3. | Len Dawson | Purdue 57 | Chiefs QB completed 28-of-44 passes for 353 yards in Super Bowls I and IV. Threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Otis Taylor. |
| 4. | Preston Pearson | Illinois 65-67 | RB returned two kickoffs for 59 yards with Colts in Super Bowl III. Six years later with Steelers, he returned one kickoff for 15 yards in SB IX. After shifting to Cowboys, he rushed five times for 14 yards, caught game-high five passes for 53 yards and recovered one fumble in SB X; rushed three times for 11 yards and and caught game-high five passes for 37 yards in SB XII, plus rushed once for six yards and caught two passes for 15 yards in SB XIII. |
| 5. | Ed "Too Tall" Jones | Tennessee State 70-71 | Cowboys LDE amassed a total of 13 solo tackles in three Super Bowls in four-year span (X, XII and XIII). He also contributed one fumble recovery in SB XIII. |
| 6. | Otis Taylor | Prairie View | Chiefs WR caught a total of 10 passes for 138 yards in two Super Bowls (I and IV). His 31-yarder from Len Dawson helped set up KC's first score in second quarter of inaugural SB. Taylor tallied a game-long 46-yard touchdown reception to cap off contest's scoring in SB IV. |
| 7. | Junious "Buck" Buchanan | Grambling 59 | Chiefs RDT collected five solo tackles and a sack in Super Bowl I before tying for team high with five solo tackles plus a sack in Super Bowl IV. |
| 8. | Bob Griese | Purdue 65 | Dolphins QB completed 26-of-41 passes for 295 yards and one 28-yard touchdown covering back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls (VI, VII and VIII). |
| 9. | Ronnie Lott | Southern California 80 | 49ers DB amassed total of nine solo tackles in four Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XIII and XXIV) with a high of four in SB XXIII. |
| 10. | Donovan McNabb | Syracuse 96-97 | Eagles QB completed 30-of-51 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXIX. |
| 11. | Antwaan Randle El | Indiana 99 | Steelers WR caught three passes for 22 yards, returned two punts for 32 yards in Super Bowl XL and threw flea flicker 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward to cap off scoring in Super Bowl XL before catching two passes for 50 yards including team-long 37-yarder in SB XLV. |
| 12. | Brad Johnson | Florida State 88-89 | Buccaneers QB completed 18-of-34 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns (bridging both halves) plus rushed once for 10 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII. |
| 13. | London Fletcher | St. Francis (Pa.) 94 | Rams MLB collected game-high seven solo tackles in Super Bowl XXXIV and two solo tackles in SB XXXVI. |
| 14. | Terrell Owens | UT Chattanooga 94-96 | Seven weeks after breaking his leg, Eagles WR registered team highs of nine pass receptions and 122 receiving yards (long of 36) in Super Bowl XXXIX. |
| 15. | John Mackey | Syracuse 61 | Colts TE caught a total of five passes for 115 yards in two Super Bowls (III and V). He had a 75-yard TD reception on a deflected pass from Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for their initial score in SB V. |
| 16. | Joe Kapp | California 57-58 | Vikings QB completed 16-of-25 passes for 183 yards and rushed twice for nine yards in Super Bowl IV. |
| 17. | Billy Joe DuPree | Michigan State 72 | Cowboys TE recorded one solo tackle in Super Bowl X and caught a total of six passes for 83 yards and one touchdown in subsequent back-to-back SBs (XII and XIII). |
| 18. | Keith McKeller | Jacksonville State 83-86 | Bills TE caught at least one pass in four consecutive Super Bowls (XXV through XXVIII). |
| 19. | Harold Carmichael | Southern 69-70 | Eagles WR caught five passes for 83 yards from Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV. |
| 20. | Johnny Sample | Maryland-Eastern Shore | Colts DB supplied five solo tackles and an interception in Super Bowl III. |
| 21. | Tommy Polley | Florida State 97 | Rams RLB tied for team high with seven solo tackles in Super Bowl XXXVI. |
| 22. | Andre Rison | Michigan State 88 | Packers WR caught two passes for 77 yards in Super Bowl XXXI. He opened game's scoring with 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre. |
| 23. | Martellus Bennett | Texas A&M 06-07 | Patriots TE caught five passes for 62 yards from Tom Brady in Super Bowl LI. |
| 24. | Earsell Mackbee | Utah State 65 | Vikings LCB managed six solo tackles in Super Bowl IV. |
| 25. | Bobby Bell | Minnesota 61 | Chiefs LLB recorded total of five solo tackles in Super Bowls I and IV. |
| 26. | Cornell Green | Utah State 60-62 | Cowboys SS contributed a total of four solo tackles in back-to-back Super Bowls (V and VI). |
| 27. | Adalius Thomas | Southern Mississippi 97-98 | Patriots OLB contributed five solo tackles and two quarterback hits in Super Bowl XLII. |
| 28. | Don Blackmon | Tulsa 78 | Patriots ROLB had five solo tackles in Super Bowl XX. |
| 29. | Julius Thomas | Portland State 07-10 | Broncos TE caught four passes for 27 yards from Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLVIII. |
| 30. | Dave Robinson | Penn State 61 | Packers LB registered two solo tackles and returned a fumble recovery 16 yards in Super Bowl II. |
| 31. | George Martin | Oregon 73 | Giants LDE manufacutred a safety by tackling John Elway in end zone for only second-quarter score in Super Bowl XXI. |
| 32. | Art Shell | Maryland-Eastern Shore | Raiders starting LT in Super Bowls XI and XV. Went on to coach the team for seven years from 1989 through 1994 and 2006. |
| 33. | George Starke | Columbia 69-70 | Redskins starting RT in back-to-back Super Bowls (XVII and XVIII). |
| 34. | Wayne Moore | Lamar 66-69 | Dolphins starting LT in back-to-back Super Bowls (VII and VIII). |
| 35. | Ron Widby | Tennessee 65-67 | Cowboys P recorded 40.2 average on total of 14 punts in back-to-back Super Bowls (V and VI). |
| 36. | Mike Ditka | Pittsburgh 59-60 | Cowboys TE rushed once for 17 yards and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI. |
| 37. | Jordan Norwood | Penn State 07 | Broncos backup WR returned one punt for 61 yards in second quarter of Super Bowl 50. |
| 38. | Percy Howard | Austin Peay State 73-75 | Cowboys backup WR provided a 34-yard touchdown catch in Super Bowl X. It was one-hit wonder's only NFL reception. A Hail Mary pass in his direction from Roger Staubach at game's end was foiled by the Steelers. |
| 39. | Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston | Valparaiso 52 | Packers starting LG in first two Super Bowls. |
| 40. | Alfred Williams | Colorado 90 | Starting RDE for Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII amassed two solo tackles in SB the next year. |
| 41. | Jim Duncan | Maryland-Eastern Shore | Colts RCB delivered one solo tackle, one fumble recovery and four kickoff returns for 90 yards in Super Bowl V. |
| 42. | Julius Peppers | North Carolina 00-01 | Panthers LDE provided two solo tackles in Super Bowl XXXVIII. |
| 43. | Napoleon Harris | Northwestern 98-99 | Raiders starting MLB notched two solo tackles in Super Bowl XXXVII. |
| 44. | Billy Kilmer | UCLA 60 | Redskins QB completed 14-of-28 passes for 104 yards and contributed two nine-yard rushes in Super Bowl VII. |
| 45. | Charlie West | Texas-El Paso 68 | Vikings DB returned three kickoffs for 46 yards and two punts for 18 yards in Super Bowl IV before returning two kickoffs for 28 yards in SB VIII. |
| 46. | Marlin Briscoe | Nebraska-Omaha 65 | Dolphins WR had two of QB Bob Griese's six pass completions in Super Bowl VIII. |
| 47. | Ephraim Salaam | San Diego State 97 | Falcons starting RT as a rookie in Super Bowl XXXIII. |
| 48. | Gerald Perry | South Carolina 84/Southern 87 | Broncos starting LT in Super Bowl XXIV. |
| 49. | Derrick Ramsey | Kentucky 76 | Patriots TE caught two passes for 16 yards in Super Bowl XX. |
| 50. | Brad Jackson | Cincinnati 98 | Ravens backup LB contributed one solo tackle and one fumble recovery in Super Bowl XXXV. |
| 51. | Tony Dungy | Minnesota 74 | Steelers DB recorded one solo tackle in Super Bowl XIII. He went on to become the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl (XLI with Colts). |
| 52. | R.W. McQuarters | Oklahoma State 96-97 | Giants CB returned three punts for 25 yards in Super Bowl XLII. |
| 53. | David Verser | Kansas 78 | Bengals WR returned five kickoffs for 52 yards in Super Bowl XVI. |
| 54. | Tom Mitchell | Bucknell 64 | Colts TE-WR caught one pass for 15 yards from Earl Morrall in Super Bowl III. |
| 55. | Ordell Braase | South Dakota 53-54 | Colts DE contributed one solo tackle in Super Bowl III. |
| 56. | Charles Philyaw | Texas Southern 74-75 | Raiders DE provided a solo tackle in Super Bowl XI. |
| 57. | Reggie Carolan | Idaho 60-62 | Chiefs TE caught one pass for seven yards in first quarter of Super Bowl I to set up missed field-goal attempt. |
| T58. | Marvin Washington | Texas-El Paso 85-86/Idaho 88 | Broncos DE managed one solo tackle in Super Bowl XXXIII. |
| T58. | Dick Capp | Boston College 64 | TE member of Packers special teams recovered a punt return fumble leading to field goal just before time expired in first half of Super Bowl II. |
Ex-Purdue Hoopers Len Dawson and Bob Griese Threw Super Bowl TD Passes
February 8th, 2024 - 8:30
In football feedback prior to a ballyhooed game such as the Super Bowl, there is a natural inclination to focus on the quarterback matchup. If adding an emphasis on college basketball to the equation, you should know Purdue alums Len Dawson (played hoops in 1957) and Bob Griese (1965) were involved in three Super Bowl QB duels in a four-year span featuring signal callers who each played major-college varsity basketball. Dawson won SB IV with the Kansas City Chiefs against Minnesota Vikings (23-7 vs. Cal 57-58 hooper Joe Kapp) before Griese split back-to-back Super Bowls against the Dallas Cowboys (lost to Navy 63 hooper Roger Staubach, 24-3, in VI) and Washington Redskins (defeated UCLA 60 hooper Billy Kilmer, 14-7, in VII).
Dawson (IV) and Staubach (VI), each named a Super Bowl MVP in a three-year span, both hooked up with fellow college cagers for touchdowns in SB competition. The initial basketball TD connection in Super Bowl history was Dawson's game-long 46-yard pass reception to Otis Taylor (Prairie View A&M backup forward in era following glory years of pro standout Zelmo Beaty) capping off scoring in SB IV. Taylor eluded Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee, a hoops teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes in 1964-65.
Receivers for three of Staubach's eight TD passes in four SB appearances were former major-college hoopers. The fourth-quarter basketball bounty for Staubach went to:
- Mike Ditka (Pittsburgh 59-60) capping off game's scoring with seven-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI.
- Percy Howard (Austin Peay State 73-75) with a 34-yard catch capping off scoring in Super Bowl X.
- Billy Joe DuPree (Michigan State 72) via a seven-yarder in SB XIII.
Joining Howard among ex-college hoopers catching passes from Staubach in Super Bowl X was Preston Pearson (Illinois 65-67), who competed for three different pro franchises in the SB (also Baltimore Colts III and Pittsburgh Steelers IX). Although none of Pearson's catches found end-zone pay-dirt, he provided game highs of five pass receptions from Staubach for "America's Team" in two Super Bowls (X and XII). In Super Bowl XXXIX, former NCAA Tournament hoopers Donovan McNabb (Syracuse 96-97) and Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga 94-96) hooked up for nine pass receptions and 122 receiving yards with the Philadelphia Eagles although none for a TD. Where are such incredible versatile athletes like this these days?
Super Men: College Basketball's Impact on 58 Seasons of NFL Super Bowl
February 7th, 2024 - 8:14
College basketball fans shouldn't be assessed an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty if the NFL isn't their favorite sport, but they should rush to hold on because following is more super stuff to digest while blitzed by enough notes, quotes and anecdotes to have one seeking a sedative when assessing Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
For what it's worth hoop-wise, did you know former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was a 6-5 forward who averaged 11.4 points and nine rebounds per game for Georgetown in three varsity seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62? He led the Hoyas in rebounding as a sophomore (8.9 rpg) and junior (8.2 rpg) and was their second-leading rebounder as a senior captain. Well-rounded trivia buffs should also know that Tagliabue's predecessor, Pete Rozelle, was the basketball publicist for 1949 NIT champion San Francisco before orchestrating events leading to the Super Bowl becoming a national phenomenon.
The Super Bowl's link to college basketball is much more extensive than these commissioners and had more impact than unveiling of new commercials plus halftime entertainers. Actually, there are a striking number of ex-college hoopers who participated in the Super Bowl as players. In fact, the inaugural Super Bowl in 1967 featured seven former four-year college varsity basketball players for schools currently classified at the NCAA Division I level: Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Reg Carolan, Len Dawson, Dave Robinson, Otis Taylor and Fuzzy Thurston. Former college hoopers have also appeared prominently in previous Super Bowls for the Niners. There were former college hoopers in each of the first 13 Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys boasting seven such versatile athletes in SB X.
But times have changed and there were only five ex-college hoopers in the previous 16 Super Bowls. Kneeling in deference to the 58th anniversary of the Super Bowl, following are 58 questions tackling versatile players such as Bell, Buchanan, Carolan, Dawson, Robinson, Taylor and Thurston in this distinctive two-way athlete category that should surprise you with some of the marquee names. If you get them all correct before peeking at answers at the end of this gridiron quiz, then you boast inflated brainpower sufficiently omnipotent to know in advance what will transpire at halftime and which new expensive commercials offer the most entertainment.
1. Name the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals who appeared in Super Bowl XVI following the 1981 season after finishing his career as the fifth-leading scorer in his college's history. The high school teammate of Kentucky All-American and All-Pro Dan Issel led Augustana (Ill.) in field-goal accuracy and free-throw shooting as a freshman and sophomore.
2. Name the linebacker who was one of only two first-year players on the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team in 1972 and was still with the franchise the next season when the Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl champions for a 32-2 two-year mark, the best ever in the NFL. He played briefly for Louisville's varsity basketball squad before Cardinals football coach Lee Corso persuaded him to concentrate on the gridiron.
3. Name the nine-time All-Pro linebacker who was with the Kansas City Chiefs for their Super Bowl IV winner after becoming the first African American to play basketball for Minnesota when he appeared in three games in the 1960-61 season.
4. Name the tight end who caught five passes for 62 yards from Tom Brady in the New England Patriots' come-from-behind 34-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI after former Pro Bowl selection competed in 2006 NCAA basketball playoffs with Texas A&M.
5. Name the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end who appeared in Super Bowl III with the Baltimore Colts vs. the New York Jets after becoming a first-team selection as a basketball center for South Dakota in the All-North Central Conference when he averaged 7.8 points per game in 1952-53 and 11 points in 1953-54.
6. Name the first black starting quarterback in the NFL who was later converted to wide receiver and caught two of QB Bob Griese's six pass completions to help the undefeated Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota in Super Bowl VIII after averaging 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 14 basketball games for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65.
7. Name the DT who had a streak of eight consecutive campaigns named to either the AFL All-Star Team or NFL Pro Bowl while collecting five solo tackles in each of a pair of Super Bowls. He concentrated solely on football under legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson after earning basketball letter as freshman in 1958-59.
8. Name the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who caught five passes for 83 yards from Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV for the Philadelphia Eagles after he was the top rebounder for two seasons with Southern (La.). He established an NFL record for most consecutive games with a pass reception (127).
9. Name the 1963 Pro Bowl selection who participated in Super Bowl I as a defensive end with the Kansas City Chiefs after the 6-6, 235-pounder played three varsity seasons with Idaho's basketball team, averaging four points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
10. Name the 1994 first-round draft choice who was a defensive end on the Dallas Cowboys' last Super Bowl team after playing nine games during the 1992-93 season for Arizona State's hoop squad decimated with injuries.
11. Name the Pro Bowl selection who appeared in Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots after the 6-5, 245-pounder played basketball one season for Livingstone (N.C.). He held the NFL single-season record for most receptions by a tight end with 96 in 1994.
12. Name the four-year starter who set school career records for total offense, passing yards and rushing yards by a quarterback plus rushing touchdowns by a QB. Most Outstanding Player in the 2002 Peach Bowl as a quarterback was activated for Super Bowl XXXVII as a rookie with the Oakland Raiders before succeeding all-time great Tim Brown as a starting wide receiver. He was North Carolina's leader in assists during 2000-01 when he directed the Tar Heels to a basketball No. 1 ranking and an 18-game winning streak.
13. Name the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs who was MVP in Super Bowl IV after playing in two basketball games as a 6-0, 180-pound guard for Purdue in the 1956-57 campaign.
14. Name the defensive left end on Miami's undefeated team in 1972 who played in four Super Bowls with the Dolphins after the 6-6, 220-pound basketball center finished his four-season career at Central College as the Pella, Iowa-based school's all-time leading scorer (15.5 ppg) and rebounder (12.4 rpg). He grabbed a school-record 29 rebounds in a game his senior season (1970-71).
15. Name the Hall of Fame tight end who played in two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, catching a TD pass to cap the scoring in Super Bowl VI, before coaching the Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears following the 1985 season after the 6-2, 205-pound forward averaged 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers.
16. Name the defensive back for the Baltimore Colts' Super Bowl V champion who led the NFL in kickoff return average (35.4) in 1970 after playing basketball for Maryland-Eastern Shore.
17. Name the prominent ex-NFL coach who was a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl XIII champion after averaging 2.6 ppg in 16 basketball contests with the Minnesota Gophers in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman.
18. Name the starting middle linebacker for a team in two of three Super Bowls in one stretch (game-high seven solo tackles in SB XXXIV) who started two games at point guard for St. Francis (Pa.) as a freshman in 1993-94 when he averaged three points per game. After transferring back home to Cleveland, the 5-10 dynamo collected 109 points and 52 rebounds in 27 games for John Carroll before quitting basketball midway through the 1995-96 campaign to concentrate on football.
19. Name the Super Bowl X tight end for the Dallas Cowboys after leading Amherst (Mass.) in scoring and rebounding in 1970-71.
20. Name the five-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the Dallas Cowboys who contributed a total of four solo tackles in back-to-back Super Bowls after finishing his three-year varsity career as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. The 6-4 forward scored 46 points in a game against New Mexico en route to leading the Aggies in scoring with 21.2 points per game in 1959-60 (34th in the nation), 20.3 in 1960-61 (57th) and 25.6 in 1961-62 (13th).
21. Name the Hall of Fame quarterback who played in three Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins after he was a 6-1, 185-pound sophomore guard in 1964-65 when scoring 22 points in 16 games in his only varsity basketball season for Purdue.
22. Name the 12-year veteran safety who played in Super Bowl IV with the Minnesota Vikings after averaging four points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 10 contests for Wisconsin's basketball team in 1958-59.
23. Name the strong safety for the New England Patriots who registered a team-high eight solo tackles in Super Bowl XXVIII, game-high 10 solo tackles in Super Bowl XXXIX and game-high 11 solo tackles in Super Bowl XLII after starting five basketball games with Western Illinois in 1992-93.
24. Name the wide receiver who caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach for the Dallas Cowboys' final touchdown in a 21-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X after he averaged 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in three varsity seasons (1972-73 through 1974-75) for Austin Peay. It was the only pass reception in his NFL career. The 6-4, 215-pound forward averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game in four NCAA Tournament contests in 1973 and 1974 as a teammate of NYC playground folk hero James "Fly" Williams.
25. Name the third-round draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 1998 who backed up MVP Ray Lewis as a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV after being a member of Cincinnati's basketball team for the first month of 1997-98 campaign.
26. Name the three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman who appeared in three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys after the 6-8, 230-pound backup post player averaged 1.7 points and 2.6 rebounds for Tennessee State in his freshman and sophomore seasons (1969-70 and 1970-71).
27. Name the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver who caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco and opened the second half with a 108-yard kickoff return for a TD in a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII after the Southeastern Louisiana track transfer was a part-time hoop starter for Lane (Tenn.), averaging 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
28. Name the 16-year quarterback who started Super Bowl VII for the Washington Redskins after scoring eight points in six games for coach John Wooden's 1959-60 UCLA basketball team.
29. Name the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who participated in Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins after the 6-4, 190-pound forward averaged 13.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71. He was the Aztecs' second-leading scorer (15.2 ppg) and rebounder (7.6 rpg) as a junior.
30. Name the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive back who competed in four Super Bowls after collecting nine assists, four points and three rebounds in six games for Southern California's basketball squad as a junior in 1979-80.
31. Name the 11-year defensive lineman who played in Super Bowl XIII for the Minnesota Vikings after averaging 12.3 ppg with Michigan Tech in 1962-63.
32. Name the Minnesota Vikings defensive back who had six solo tackles but let former Prairie View basketball player Otis Taylor (Kansas City Chiefs) elude him for a long touchdown in Super Bowl IV after being a basketball teammate of Utah State legend Wayne Estes in 1964-65.
33. Name the NFL Hall of Fame tight end who caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V after collecting 28 points and 28 rebounds in six basketball games with Syracuse in 1960-61.
34. Name the defensive end who scored six touchdowns in his 14-year NFL career and tackled John Elway of the Denver Broncos for a safety in the New York Giants' Super Bowl XXI victory following the 1986 season after the 6-5, 225-pound forward-center averaged just over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game for Oregon's freshman squad in 1971-72. He played briefly for the Ducks' varsity basketball team the next season.
35. Name the tight end who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills after he was the starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team. He led the Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished runner-up in that category as a senior.
36. Name the defensive lineman in Super Bowl XI for the Oakland Raiders who played basketball in the 1975 NAIA Tournament for Morningside (Iowa).
37. Name the quarterback who set an NFL record with 24 consecutive completions over a two-game span in 2004 before guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX the next year. He collected a career-high 10 points and six rebounds and made two clinching free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining in a 77-74 victory over Georgetown in 1997 before Syracuse appeared in the NIT. He scored two points in two 1996 NCAA Tournament games for the Orangemen's national runner-up.
38. Name the tight end who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, catching a TD pass in Super Bowl XXVI, after the 6-8, 235-pound center for the basketball squad at Wabash (Ind.) averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg in four varsity seasons. He set NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for a single season (75.3% in 1981-82 as a senior) and career (72.4). He collected 45 points and 13 rebounds in the 1982 championship game, scoring a Division III Tournament record 129 points in five games and earning tourney outstanding player honors.
39. Name the tight end-wide receiver who caught a 15-yard pass with the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III after averaging 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball contests for Bucknell in 1963-64.
40. Name the Pro Bowl offensive tackle who appeared in three consecutive Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins after leading Lamar in rebounding as a senior with 12.6 per game in 1968-69.
41. Name the valuable addition to Super Bowl XXXIX-bound Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 who had nine pass receptions for 122 yards against the New England Patriots after setting an NFL single-game record with 20 receptions for the San Francisco 49ers against the Chicago Bears in 2000. He collected 57 points and 49 rebounds in 38 games (four starts) for UT-Chattanooga's basketball squad in three seasons from 1993-94 through 1995-96.
42. Name the 14-year running back who played in five Super Bowls with three different franchises, catching more passes (five) than anyone in Super Bowls X and XII, after the guard-forward averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as a senior in 1966-67 to finish his three-year Illinois varsity career with 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg.
43. Name the 2002 NFL defensive rookie of the year for the Carolina Panthers who appeared in Super Bowl XXXVIII the next season after being a member of North Carolina's 2000 Final Four squad. He started both NCAA Tournament games for the Tar Heels in 2001, including his first double-double (10 rebounds and career-high 21 points against Penn State).
44. Name the St. Louis Rams rookie linebacker who had a game-high 11 tackles (solo and assisted) in Super Bowl XXXVI after playing in one basketball contest for Florida State in 1996-97.
45. Name the wide receiver who made a two-point conversion on a run for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV and threw a flea flicker touchdown pass in Super Bowl XX after collecting 16 points and 11 assists in 11 games for Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team, including two points in each of the Hoosiers' playoff contests (against George Washington and St. John's).
46. Name the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who scored the first touchdown at Super Bowl XXXI for the Green Bay Packers after he was a 6-1, 185-pound backup guard in basketball for Michigan State in two seasons (1985-86 and 1987-88).
47. Name the Hall of Fame offensive tackle who participated in two Super Bowls (XI and XV) with the Oakland Raiders after he was a two-year basketball letterman as a 6-5, 265-pound center for Maryland State College (now called Maryland-Eastern Shore).
48. Name the Denver Broncos wide receiver who had a game-high 152 receiving yards (including 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway) in Super Bowl XXXIII after earning Missouri Southern State hoops letter as sophomore in 1990-91.
49. Name an offensive tackle for the Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins after the strike-shortened 1982 campaign who averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 50.5% from the floor with Columbia in 1968-69 and 1969-70.
50. Name the Hall of Fame quarterback who guided the Dallas Cowboys to four Super Bowls after averaging 9.3 points per game for the 1961-62 Navy plebe (freshman) basketball team. The 6-2, 190-pound forward scored five points in four games for the Midshipmen varsity squad the next season. He was MVP in Super Bowl VI.
51. Name the defensive back for the Baltimore Colts who appeared in two Super Bowls (III and V) after playing basketball for Maryland-Eastern Shore.
52. Name the wide receiver who played in two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, catching 10 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, after he was a backup small forward in the Prairie View A&M era following the school's glory years with pro basketball standout Zelmo Beaty.
53. Name the linebacker who registered two sacks and five solo tackles in Super Bowl XLII when the New England Patriots lost against New York Giants for first defeat of season after he averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg as reserve forward for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
54. Name the Denver Broncos tight end who caught four passes from Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLVIII after finishing as Portland State's second-leading rebounder in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
55. Name the offensive guard with the Green Bay Packers who participated in the first two Super Bowls after originally enrolling at Valparaiso on a basketball scholarship. He averaged 1.5 points per game in eight contests as a freshman with Valpo in 1951-52 before concentrating on football.
56. Name the Pro Bowl punter who appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys after averaging 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds as a sophomore, 17.3 points and eight rebounds as a junior and 22.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior for Tennessee. The 6-4, 210-pound forward scored 50 points against LSU as a senior on his way to becoming SEC player of the year in 1967.
57. Name the starting defensive end for the Denver Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl champions (XXXII and XXXIII) who registered one steal while playing in one minute of one Big Eight Conference basketball game for Colorado in 1989-90.
58. Name the offensive tackle who was an NFL All-Pro six straight seasons in the 1970s and played in the Super Bowl five times that decade with the Dallas Cowboys after earning All-SIAC basketball recognition for Fort Valley State (Ga.).
ANSWERS TO 58 COLLEGE BASKETBALL-IMPACTING SUPER BOWL TRIVIA QUESTIONS
1. Ken Anderson; 2. Larry Ball; 3. Bobby Bell; 4. Martellus Bennett; 5. Ordell Braase; 6. Marlin Briscoe; 7. Junious "Buck" Buchanan; 8. Harold Carmichael; 9. Reg Carolan; 10. Shante Carver; 11. Ben Coates; 12. Ronald Curry; 13. Len Dawson; 14. Vern Den Herder; 15. Mike Ditka; 16. Jim Duncan; 17. Tony Dungy; 18. London Fletcher; 19. Jean Fugett; 20. Cornell Green; 21. Bob Griese; 22. Dale Hackbart; 23. Rodney Harrison; 24. Percy Howard; 25. Brad Jackson; 26. Ed "Too Tall" Jones; 27. Jacoby Jones; 28. Billy Kilmer; 29. Joe Lavender; 30. Ronnie Lott; 31. Bob Lurtsema; 32. Earsell Mackbee; 33. John Mackey; 34. George Martin; 35. Keith McKeller; 36. Herb McMath; 37. Donovan McNabb; 38. Pete Metzelaars; 39. Tom Mitchell; 40. Wayne Moore; 41. Terrell Owens; 42. Preston Pearson; 43. Julius Peppers; 44. Tommy Polley; 45. Antwaan Randle El; 46. Andre Rison; 47. Art Shell; 48. Rod Smith; 49. George Starke; 50. Roger Staubach; 51. Charlie Stukes; 52. Otis Taylor; 53. Adalius Thomas; 54. Julius Thomas; 55. Fuzzy Thurston; 56. Ron Widby; 57. Alfred Williams; 58. Rayfield Wright.
On This Date: Ex-College Hooper Norwood Tackling February 7 Super Bowl
February 7th, 2024 - 7:44
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ingrate #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 player Jordan Norwood making a name for himself on February 7 in Super Bowl 50 following 2015 season:
FEBRUARY 7
- Denver Broncos WR Jordan Norwood (Penn State hooper in 2006-07) returned a punt 61 yards in second quarter of 24-10 win against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 following 2015 season.
Magnificent Seven: Ex-Celebrated Cagers Eventually Playing in Super Bowl
February 6th, 2024 - 8:35
They might not measure up in two-way athlete category to ex-MLB amateur draftee Patrick Mahomes II (Chiefs QB participating in fourth SB in last five years after he was selected as pitcher by the Detroit Tigers in 37th round in 2014). But who are the premier four-year college hoopers to end up competing in the NFL's Super Bowl as players or coaches? There might not be someone in this category in Super Bowl LVIII, but the following Magnificent Seven include two small-school hoop sensations who became tight end teammates for multiple Buffalo Bills teams after powering their colleges to non-DI national championships and pair of North Carolina teammates who went from the Final Four to NFL title tilt:
| Rank | Versatile Athlete | Pos. | Super Bowl Team/Year(s) | Four-Year College Basketball Career Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ron Widby | P | Cowboys/V & VI | Three-time all-league selection scored 50 points for Tennessee vs. LSU as senior on his way to becoming SEC player of the year in 1966-67. |
| 2. | Cornell Green | DB | Cowboys/V & VI | Finished his three-year varsity career in 1962 as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. |
| 3. | Harry "Bud" Grant | Coach | Vikings/IV, VIII, IX & XI | Third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 (8.5 ppg) after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre. |
| 4. | Ronald Curry | WR | Raiders/XXXVII | Team leader in assists, including career-high 10 in ACC Tournament opener against Clemson, during 2000-01 when directing North Carolina to #1 ranking and 18-game winning streak. |
| 5. | Julius Peppers | DL | Panthers/XXXVIII | Member of North Carolina's 2000 Final Four squad started both NCAA Tournament games in 2001, including his first double-double (10 rebounds and career-high 21 points against Penn State). |
| 6. | Pete Metzelaars | TE | Bills/XXV through XXVIII | Set NCAA Division III FG shooting records for single season (75.3% in 1981-82 as senior) and career (72.4%). Led Wabash IN to 1982 DIII Tournament title, scoring tourney record 129 points in five games and earning tourney outstanding player honors. Scored DIII playoff-record 45 points in championship game against Potsdam State. |
| 7. | Keith McKeller | TE | Bills/XXV through XXVIII | Starting center for 1985 NCAA Division II champion Jacksonville State (Ala.). Led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of first three seasons and finished second as senior. Four-time all-league pick averaged 12.5 ppg and 10.1 rpg from 1982-83 through 1985-86. |
NOTE: Curry was on special teams in Super Bowl.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling February 6 NFL Super Bowls
February 6th, 2024 - 7:53
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ingrate #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 making a name for themselves on February 6 in football at the professional level (especially Philadelphia Eagles tandem of Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens in Super Bowl XXXIX following 2004 season):
FEBRUARY 6
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX following 2004 season. Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC-Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught nine of McNabb's passes for 122 yards (both team highs). Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) had two interceptions and game-high 10 solo tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught a team-long 37-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger late in opening quarter and ran for two-point conversion midway through fourth period in a 31-25 setback against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV following 2010 season.
Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1993 season.
Outhouse to Penthouse: HBCU Hoopers Mattering to Power-League Members
February 5th, 2024 - 8:48
A high percentage of bottom feeders among the lowest-ranked NCAA Division I squads are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference. We're a long way from "the good ole days" when Historically Black College and University hoopers included extensive list of standouts. On the other hand, there occasionally are HBCU "Jeffersons" who sing "Movin' On Up" when they go to the deluxe "Best Side" (transfer to power-conference member).
Minnesota's Elijah Hawkins, a transfer from Howard University, is leading the nation in assists. But perhaps the premier player ever to transfer from a HBCU to a major university was Tom Boswell. The 6-9 forward averaged 18 ppg and 13 rpg for South Carolina State in 1971-72 and 1972-73 before switching to South Carolina, an independent school at the time where he averaged 16.5 ppg and 8.7 rpg in 1974-75. It is rare for a HBCU transfer to post a higher scoring averaqe for a power-conference member (Ole Miss boasts a couple of players in this category). In deference to Black History Month, following is an alphabetical list of rare players transferring from a HBCU to NCAA DI power-league member in the past 30 years:
| Player | Pos. | HBCU | HBCU Statistics | Power-League Member | Power-League Member Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Adams | G | Prairie View 14 | 1.5 ppg, 1.1 apg | Arizona State 17 | 1.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg |
| Shareif Adamu | F | Alabama State 11 | 4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg | Auburn 13 | 2.7 ppg, 2 rpg |
| Cameron Bacote | G | Maryland-Eastern Shore 18 | 7.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.9 apg | Georgetown 24 | 0.9 ppg, 1.5 apg |
| Malcolm Bernard | G-F | Florida A&M 16 | 14.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.3 spg | Xavier 17 | 6.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg |
| Wayne Bristol Jr. | G | Howard University 20 | 12.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.3 spg | Georgetown 23-24 | 3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg |
| Dejuan Clayton | G | Coppin State 17-21 | 13.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg | California 23 | 9.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.9 apg |
| R.J. Cole | G | Howard University 18-19 | 22.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.8 spg, 37 3FG% | Connecticut 21-22 | 14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 37 3FG% |
| James Daniel III | G | Howard University 14-17 | 21.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.7 spg | Tennessee 18 | 5.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 37.2 3FG% |
| Edric Dennis | G | Jackson State 17 | 14 ppg, 4.1 rpg | Texas Christian 20 | 6.2 ppg, 2.3 apg |
| Bassirou Dieng | C | Norfolk State 05 | 2 ppg, 1.2 rpg | Georgia Tech 09 | 1.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg |
| RaShid Gaston | F | Norfolk State 13-15 | 11.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 57.8 FG% | Xavier 17 | 7.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 59 FG% |
| Elijah Hawkins | G | Howard University 22-23 | 12.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.8 apg, 2 spg | Minnesota 24 | 8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2 spg |
| Barry Honore' | F | Southern LA 08-09 | 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg | Oklahoma 11-12 | 1 ppg, 0.9 rpg |
| Dale Hughes | G | Florida A&M 09-10 | 8.8 ppg, 35.6 3FG% | Mississippi 12 | 0.7 ppg |
| Sam Hunt | G | North Carolina A&T 16-17 | 14 ppg | North Carolina State 18 | 5.5 ppg |
| Deion James | F | North Carolina A&T 16 | 1.3 ppg | Washington State 20 | 2.6 ppg |
| Branden Johnson | F-C | Alabama State 16-19 | 5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 62.8 FG% | Virginia Tech 20 | 0.4 ppg |
| Gerald Jordan | F-C | Morgan State 94 | 13.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg | Pittsburgh 96-97 | 8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg |
| Darryl Labarrie | G | Florida A&M 97 | 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg | Georgia Tech 99-01 | 4 ppg, 1.3 rpg |
| Jayveous McKinnis | F | Jackson State 19-22 | 10.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 61 FG% | Mississippi 23 | 5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 65.4 FG% |
| Christian Mekowulu | F | Tennessee State 15-18 | 8.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1 bpg | Texas A&M 19 | 8.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1 bpg |
| Femi Olujobi | F | North Carolina A&T 18 | 16.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 53.6 FG% | DePaul 19 | 12.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 60.1 FG% |
| Richaud Pack | G | North Carolina A&T 14 | 17 ppg, 4.6 rpg | Maryland 15 | 5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg |
| Matt Pilgrim | F | Hampton 07-08 | 9.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1 bpg | Oklahoma State 10-11 | 6.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 spg |
| Cecil Rellford | F | Kentucky State 74 | 21.7 ppg, 10 rpg | St. John's 76-77 | 11.2 ppg, 6 rpg |
| M.J. Rhett | F | Tennessee State 12-14 | 6.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg | Mississippi 15 | 7.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg |
| Gerald Robinson | G | Tennessee State 08-09 | 16.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 spg | Georgia 11-12 | 13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.8 apg |
| Johnnie Rogers | F | Jackson State 95 | 2.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg | Mississippi 97-99 | 3.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg |
| Frank Russell | C | Hampton 03-04 | 2.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg | Rutgers 06-07 | 2 ppg, 1.8 rpg |
| Xavier Singletary | F | Howard University 97-98 | 18.7 ppg, 6 rpg | Boston College 00-01 | 11.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg |
| LaRon Smith | F | Bethune-Cookman 16 | 7.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg | Auburn 17 | 2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg |
| Sterling Smith | G | Coppin State 13-15 | 10 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 spg | Pittsburgh 16 | 4.5 ppg, 3 rpg |
| Ben Stanley | F | Hampton 19-20 | 13.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 57.7 FG% | Xavier 21-22 | 3.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg |
| Davion Warren | G | Hampton 20-21 | 14.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.3 spg | Texas Tech 22 | 9.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.4 spg |
| Kam Woods | G | North Carolina A&T 23 | 17.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.6 spg | North Carolina State 24 | 1.4 ppg, 1 rpg |
| Jesse Zarzuela | G | Coppin State 22 | 14.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.4 spg | Oregon 24 | 10 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 86.7 FT% |
NOTE: Dennis attended UTA between Jackson State and TCU. Stanley enrolled at ODU for 2022-23.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling February 5 NFL Super Bowls
February 5th, 2024 - 8:42
Long before kneeling knuckleheads littered NFL pregame festivities, 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 making a name for themselves on February 5 in Super Bowl competition:
FEBRUARY 5
New England Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing next season under coach Billy Gillispie) caught five passes for 62 yards from Tom Brady in a 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 following 2016 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught three passes for 22 yards, returned two punts for 32 yards and threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward to cap off scoring in a 21-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL following 2005 season.
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