Hot Shots: Ludenborg Far From Joining Legendary List of A-A Luminaries
Did you know the last Final Four player to average more than 30 ppg in a single tourney was Michigan forward Glen Rice (30.7 ppg in six contests in 1989)? Fellow Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 25 ppg in three straight regional contests before slowed at F4 because of a knee injury. But even if Lendeborg maintained his torrid pace, the UAB transfer was far from going down as one of the highest scorers in NCAA Tournament history (minimum of six outings in multiple tourneys with single school). Following are some of the greatest names in hoops history appearing in multiple playoffs for the same school (none of whom captured NCAA championship despite them averaging more than 30 ppg):
| All-American | School | Tourney Scoring Average (Record in Multiple Playoffs) | Range in Playoff Point Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Carr | Notre Dame | 47.2 ppg (2-4 in 1970 and 1971) | 26 to 61 points (35) |
| Bill Bradley | Princeton | 33.7 ppg (5-4 from 1963 through 1965) | 22 to 58 points (36) |
| Jerry West | West Virginia | 33.1 ppg (6-2 in 1959 and 1960) | 25 to 38 points (13) |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati | 32.4 ppg (7-3 from 1958 through 1960) | 19 to 56 points (37) |
| Elvin Hayes | Houston | 30.8 ppg (5-3 from last three games in 1967 through all five in 1968) | 23 to 49 points (26) |
| Bob Pettit | Louisiana State | 30.5 ppg (2-4 in 1953 and 1954) | 27 to 36 points (9) |
NOTES: Carr scored only six points in 1969 playoff reversal against Miami of Ohio and West tallied only 10 in 1958 setback against Manhattan.