In Memoriam: RIP Look at 2012 Deceased Who Impacted College Basketball

January 1st, 2013 - 9:45

With Auld Lang Syne chords playing in the background, the final day of the calendar year offered another time to say goodbye acknowledging the passing away in 2012 of a striking number of college basketball movers and shakers. Five former Kentucky regulars under legendary coach Adolph Rupp passing away in 2012 were Sid Cohen, John Crigler, Jim Dinwiddie, Kenny Rollins and Layton Rouse. All-Americans dying in 2012 included Bob Boozer (Kansas State), Pete Brennan (North Carolina), Ed Conlin (Fordham), LeRoy Ellis Sr. (St. John's), Art Heyman (Duke), Merv Jackson (Utah), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Arnie Risen (Ohio State), Charlie Share (Bowling Green State), Carlyle "Blackie" Towery (Western Kentucky), Jack Twyman (Cincinnati), Lou Watson (Indiana) and Jerome Whitehead (Marquette). Twyman and his brother, Ned Twyman (Duquesne), died within a two-month span and are among the following alphabetical list of deceased who didn't drop the ball:

  • Ralph Abraham, 63, averaged 7.8 ppg and 6.7 rpg for St. John's from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Lou Carnesecca. As a junior, Abraham led in rebounding for the Redmen's NCAA tourney team before finishing runner-up in that category the next season with NIT finalist.
  • Dick Acres, 78, coached two sons (Mark and Jeff) while compiling a 47-34 record with Oral Roberts in three seasons from 1982-83 through 1984-85. They participated in the 1984 NCAA playoffs.
  • Jack Allain, 77, was leading rebounder (12.5 rpg) and second-leading scorer (13 ppg) for Idaho State's NCAA Tournament team in 1956-57. He grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds in setback against San Francisco in 1957 NCAA playoffs after also appearing in tourney the previous year.
  • C. "Leon" Ammerman, 76, averaged 15 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Tennessee from 1955-56 through 1957-58. Senior captain was runner-up in scoring with the Volunteers each of his last two seasons.
  • Warren Armstrong, 65, averaged 16.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg and 5.5 apg for Wichita from 1965-66 through 1967-68. Leading rebounder for the Shockers all three seasons as All-MVC selection each year before changing his last name to Jabali.
  • Larry Arnerich, 97, was a three-year letterman for San Jose State from 1933-34 through 1935-36, serving as team captain his senior season.
  • Murray Arnold, 74, compiled a 248-147 DI coaching record with Tennessee-Chattanooga (135-46 in six seasons from 1979-80 through 1984-85), Western Kentucky (71-54 in four seasons from 1986-87 through 1989-90) and Stetson (42-47 in four seasons from 1997-98 to 2001-01). He guided UTC and WKU to the NCAA playoffs in the 1980s, winning three consecutive Southern Conference Tournament championships from 1981 through 1983.
  • Steve Baidy, 76, averaged 9.7 ppg for Penn State in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach John Egli. Baidy was an INF for the Nittany Lions' runner-up in 1957 CWS.
  • Larry Bailey, 81, averaged 9.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Utah State in 1956-57 after serving in U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
  • Dick Ballantyne, 84, averaged 5.5 ppg for Oregon State from 1947-48 through 1949-50 under coach Slats Gill after serving in U.S. Navy. Ballantyne participated in 1949 Final Four before becoming an All-PCC North Division second-team selection as a senior.
  • Rod Bambach, 86, was on roster of San Francisco's 1949 NIT titlist.
  • Cedric "Rick" Barnett, 81, averaged 2.5 ppg for Marquette in 1949-50 and 1950-51.
  • David Barns, 30, played for Detroit in 2003-04 and 2004-05 after transferring from Grand Valley State MI.
  • Gene Bartow, 81, coached Valparaiso, Memphis State, Illinois and UCLA before starting UAB's program. He directed Memphis and UCLA to the Final Four in a four-year span from 1973 through 1976.
  • Maurice "Red" Bell, 88, was a SEC All-Tournament second-team selection in 1945 for Alabama after playing briefly with Kentucky the previous season.
  • Willis Bellamy Jr., 63, averaged 3.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Weber State in 1967-68 under coach Dick Motta before transferring to Western New Mexico.
  • George Benigni, 85, earned a letter with Notre Dame in 1945 before transferring and doing likewise for Georgetown in 1947 when averaging 2.6 ppg. Selected in 21st round of 1949 AAFC draft by the Chicago Hornets as an end. He was chosen in seventh round of 1950 NFL dispersal draft by the Detroit Lions, but opted for a career in the FBI.
  • Leon Bentley, 88, played for Missouri in 1942-43 before serving as First Lieutenant during WWII.
  • Dr. J. "Brent" Berrey, 68, averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Idaho State in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
  • Mac Best was a starter for Texas Christian in 1938-39.
  • Terry Bethel, 72, was an Illinois native who enrolled at or attended several Midwest major universities before serving as Army Ranger in two tours in Vietnam.
  • Arthur Bibbs III averaged 12.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Tulane in 1975-76 and 1976-77.
  • Roger Blalock, 65, was a juco recruit who averaged 12.3 ppg and team-high 9.8 rpg for Purdue in 1966-67 under coach George King.
  • Kaspars "Kas" Blums, 70, played for Washington State in the mid-1960s under coach Marv Harshman.
  • Jim Bogan, 76, averaged 3 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Alabama from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
  • Dan Bogott, 77, averaged 4.6 ppg for Tennessee in 1952-53 and 1953-54. He served in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
  • Bill "Bull" Bolton, 72, averaged 6.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Mississippi from 1960-61 through 1962-63. As a senior, he led the Rebels in rebounding with 10.1 rpg.
  • Fernando Bonfim, 28, averaged 5 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Southern Utah in 2005-06 before seven-footer transferred to Chadron State NE. Brazilian's last name became Wilson following adoption by his juco town host parents.
  • J.R. "Junior" Boone, 86, was a hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks with Tulsa in 1947-48. HB rushed for 497 yards and five touchdowns and caught 69 passes for 1,251 yards and seven TDs with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers in six years from 1948 through 1953. 3B hit .250 in Organized Ball at Class B level in 1948.
  • Bob Boozer, 75, was the leading scorer and rebounder for Kansas State's 1958 Final Four team coached by Tex Winter. Boozer was an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American in 1959 and consensus first-team All-American in 1958.
  • John Breathwit, 58, averaged 4.7 ppg for Oklahoma in 1972-73 and 1973-74 before transferring to Louisiana State, where he averaged 2.9 ppg in 1975-76 and 1976-77 under coach Dale Brown.
  • Pete Brennan, 75, was the leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for North Carolina's undefeated 1957 NCAA Tournament champion coached by Frank McGuire (32-0 record). Brennan became an NCAA consensus second-team All-American the next season, finishing his college career with averages of 16.4 ppg and 10.5 rpg before becoming fourth pick overall in NBA draft.
  • Jim Brown Jr., 58, averaged 10.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg for Toledo from 1972-73 through 1974-75. All-MAC second-team selection as a junior led the Rockets in rebounding each of his last two seasons after pacing league in field-goal accuracy (59.1%) as a sophomore.
  • Monroe "Monnie" Brown Jr., 41, averaged 9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.9 spg for Penn State from 1988-89 through 1991-92, leading the Nittany Lions in scoring as senior MVP. He participated in national postseason tournament competition all four seasons (one NCAA/three NIT).
  • Billy Joe "Buck" Buchanan, 77, averaged 1.8 ppg and 3 rpg for Texas Tech in 1954-55.
  • Clarence "Dutch" Burch, 80, was Pittsburgh's leading scorer with 15.8 ppg as a senior in 1953-54.
  • Jesse "Red" Burditt Jr., 86, lettered for Texas A&M in 1943-44. Aggie football player served in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Frank Burns, 84, averaged 3 ppg for Rutgers in 1945-46. Second-round selection as back in 1949 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles (19th overall pick DNP). He compiled a 78-43-1 coaching record with his alma mater from 1973 through 1983 (11-0 mark in 1976).
  • Ed Burton, 72, played for Michigan State's freshman squad in the late 1950s before joining the Harlem Globetrotters. His brother, M.C., was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection with Michigan.
  • James "Henry" Cabaniss, 75, averaged 12.9 ppg and 11.9 rpg for Georgia from 1955-56 through 1957-58. Senior captain led the Bulldogs in total rebounds all three seasons. He was a two-year lettermen in baseball as a first baseman.
  • Curtis Cabbell, 57, was a member of Cincinnati's 1977 NCAA playoff team coached by Gale Catlett. Cabbell played in the tourney against champion-to-be Marquette.
  • Bill Cady, 83, averaged 9.6 ppg for Xavier from 1948-49 through 1950-51, finishing runner-up in scoring for the Muskeeters as a sophomore.
  • Dennis Cantrell, 65, was a Vanderbilt transfer who averaged 4.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Miami (Fla.) from 1967-68 through 1969-70.
  • Frank Capitani, 76, averaged 11 ppg and 4 rpg for Gettysburg PA in 1957-58 before hitting .267 in two years as OF in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system.
  • Sean Carlson, 50, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Ohio University from 1980-81 through 1983-84 under coach Danny Nee.
  • Jess Carroll, 78, averaged 2.4 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1953-54 through 1956-57.
  • James Carter, 100, compiled a 41-75 coaching record for Dayton in six seasons in the 1940s as Tom Blackburn's predecessor.
  • Ed Catino, 80, averaged 4.3 ppg for George Washington from 1951-52 through 1954-55 under coach Bill Reinhart. Catino participated in NCAA Tournament as a junior.
  • John "Jack" Caulfield, 83, averaged 1.2 ppg for Wake Forest in 1948-49 under coach Murray Greason. Caulfield was a security operative in Richard Nixon's Administration around the time of Watergate Scandal. Chief of security for Nixon's presidential campaign testified before the Senate's Watergate Committee but avoided any dirty-tricks prosecution.
  • Steve Chalmers, 85, was a Maryland transfer who played for Arizona in the late 1940s after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Doug Chappell, 52, averaged 11.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Detroit from 1980-81 through 1983-84. All-Midwestern City Conference first-team selection as junior when leading the Titans in scoring and rebounding. He also paced UD in caroms as senior.
  • Hal Christensen, 80, averaged 7.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Brigham Young from 1950-51 through 1952-53, earning All-Mountain States Conference first-team acclaim as a senior. Member of Stan Watts-coached NIT titlist as a sophomore had three sons go on to play for BYU (Craig, Kurt and Todd).
  • Louis Christo, 85, averaged 1.9 ppg for Georgia in 1949-50.
  • Mike Cimino, 82, averaged a team-high 9.2 ppg for St. Mary's in 1950-51. He coached his alma mater to a 54-147 record in eight seasons from 1962-63 through 1969-70.
  • Charles Cleveland, 61, averaged 15.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.3 apg for Alabama from 1972-73 through 1974-75 under coach C.M. Newton. Three-time All-SEC selection was one of the Crimson Tide's top two scorers each season. He was a MLB draft choice out of high school as pitcher by the Kansas City Royals.
  • Sylvester Coalmon, 73, averaged 7.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg for Fordham in 1960-61 under coach John Bach.
  • William "Abe" Coates, 82, averaged 11.8 ppg for Virginia Tech from 1954-55 through 1956-57. All-Southern Conference second-team selection as a senior when he led the Hokies in scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (14.3 rpg).
  • Sid Cohen, 78, was an Army veteran and J.C. recruit who averaged 9.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Kentucky in 1958-59 and 1959-60 under coach Adolph Rupp.
  • Sam Cohn, 69, played for Clemson in mid-1960s. Air Force veteran was one of the original 20 pilots for Southwest Airlines in the early 1970s.
  • Dr. Ed Coleman, 69, was a member of Evansville's NCAA Division II championship club in 1964.
  • Randy Coleman Sr., 81, averaged 1.4 ppg and 3.1 rpg for South Carolina in 1951-52.
  • Whaylon Coleman averaged 10.3 ppg for Idaho from 1956-57 through 1958-59, leading the Vandals in scoring as a senior when he was an All-PCC second-team selection for the second straight season.
  • Paul Collins Sr., 89, was an All-Big Six Conference first-team selection in 1943-44 for Missouri's first NCAA tourney team. He was the 14th pick overall in second round of 1945 NFL draft as a quarterback by the Chicago Cardinals.
  • Lincoln "Abe" Collinsworth, 76, averaged 1.5 ppg for Kentucky from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Adolph Rupp. Played in Final Four for NCAA champion as a senior.
  • Fred "Bud" Conley, 93, was an All-Yankee Conference first-team selection with Rhode Island State for three seasons from 1938-39 through 1940-41 under coach Frank Keaney.
  • Ed Conlin, 79, was a two-time All-American who averaged 18.2 ppg and 18.5 rpg for Fordham from 1951-52 through 1954-55, leading the Rams in scoring and rebounding each of his last three seasons when ranking among the nation's top nine in rebounding. Coached his alma mater to a 27-24 record in 1968-69 and 1969-70 as John Bach's successor and Digger Phelps' predecessor.
  • Larry Cooke, 57, averaged 15.9 ppg and 5.5 rpg for Virginia Tech in 1974-75 and 1975-76. Juco recruit was runner-up in scoring both seasons for the Hokies under coach Don DeVoe.
  • Rollie Cornish, 69, averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Texas Christian from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Buster Brannon. He was a starting guard as a junior.
  • Al Correll, 72, averaged 8.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Kansas from 1959-60 through 1963-64 (redshirt in 1961-62). Philadelphia native still holds the school single-season record for free-throw shooting (90% as a senior).
  • Emory "E.A." Couch, 75, played for Dayton in 1958-59 after transferring from Kentucky.
  • Don Cox, 81, averaged 5.2 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Drake from 1950-51 through 1953-54 (did not play in 1951-52).
  • L.C. Cozzens, 90, was New Mexico's leading scorer in 1946-47 (All-Border Conference first-team selection) and 1947-48. He had his college career interrupted by serving in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.
  • Dr. Elliott Craig, 73, averaged 2.2 ppg for Texas A&M in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
  • John Crigler, 76, was third-leading scorer and rebounder for Kentucky's NCAA championship club in 1958 coached by Adolph Rupp.
  • Kelsey Crooks, 31, averaged 5.5 ppg and 4 rpg for New Mexico State from 2000-01 through 2003-04 under coach Lou Henson.
  • Dennis Cuff, 69, averaged 10.1 ppg and 8 rpg for Duquesne from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was the Dukes' top rebounder each of his last two seasons.
  • Grant Cullimore, 90, was a Utah State letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42 before serving in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He was an OF who hit .263 in Class C Pioneer League in 1948 and 1949.
  • Pat Cummings, 55, was Metro Conference MVP in 1978-79 when averaging 24.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Cincinnati. He averaged 17.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg in his four-year career with the Bearcats.
  • Austin "Curt" Cunkle, 80, averaged 9.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Florida from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was an All-SEC first-team selection as a senior when leading the Gators in total points.
  • Russ Cunningham averaged 8.2 ppg for NYU from 1957-58 through 1959-60. As a senior, he was the third-leading scorer with the Violets' Final Four team.
  • Steve Cunningham, 68, averaged 12.8 ppg and 7 rpg for Western Kentucky from 1963-64 through 1965-66. All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a senior when the Hilltoppers competed in the NCAA tourney.
  • Joe Curran, 89, compiled a 76-66 record as Canisius' coach for six seasons from 1953-54 through 1958-59. In the midst of three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the Griffs' four-overtime 79-77 upset of North Carolina State in 1956 is one of the biggest upsets in NCAA playoff history. Curran was a Penn State letterman in 1944.
  • Ed Dahler Jr., 86, was leading scorer with 16.9 ppg as senior for Duquesne's NIT team in 1949-50 before becoming 14th pick overall in NBA draft. He was the Dukes' first-ever 1,000-point career scorer.
  • Robert "Biff" Daly, 70, averaged a team-high 13.1 ppg for Boston University in 1948-49.
  • Dick Davies, 76, averaged 10 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Louisiana State in 1958-59 and 1959-60 after transferring from Gettysburg PA. Brother of Seton Hall All-American Bob Davies was member of 1964 U.S. Olympic squad.
  • Larry Davis, 90, was a letterman with Cornell in 1943-44 before averaging 7.6 ppg for Penn in 1949-50 and 1950-51. Davis served in U.S. Marines during WWII and the Korean Conflict.
  • Percy Davis Jr., 55, averaged 4.6 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Rhode Island from 1975-76 through 1977-78 under coach Jack Kraft before competing in Canada. Davis played in one-point loss in 1978 NCAA tourney against eventual runner-up Duke.
  • John Davsko, 65, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.1 rpg for St. Louis from 1965-66 through 1967-68. He compiled an 8-8 pitching record in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system in 1968 and 1969.
  • Rick Dean, 67, averaged 13.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg for Syracuse from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Teammate of All-American Dave Bing and eventual Orange all-time winningest coach Jim Boeheim was runner-up in scoring and rebounding as senior after appearing in NCAA playoffs as junior.
  • Jim Diamond Sr., 82, was a U.S. Army veteran who averaged 5.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Auburn from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Joel Eaves.
  • Donald Dick, 87, played for Wisconsin in 1943-44 under coach Bud Foster before transferring to Navy, where he played in 1945-46 and 1946-47.
  • Lou Dickman, 79, averaged 4 ppg and 2.8 rpg for three North Carolina State teams combining for a 78-15 record from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Everett Case. Dickman played for two NCAA tourney teams.
  • Jim Dinwiddie, 63, averaged 3.8 ppg and shot 52.5% from the floor from 1968-69 through 1970-71 for Kentucky. In an apparent suicide (gunshot wound), Dinwiddie was found in bedroom above his law office in a former hotel building he owned.
  • Bobby Dobson, 80, averaged 3.1 ppg for Indiana in 1950-51 before transferring to Purdue, where he averaged 2.5 ppg in 1952-53.
  • Charles "Buddy" Donnelly, 81, averaged 6.3 ppg with La Salle from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Senior captain of NIT champion.
  • J.R. "Chick" Doster, 85, was Illinois' MVP in 1945-46 when averaging team-high 13 ppg as an All-Big Nine Conference second-team selection. His career, ending in 1947-48, was hampered by a liver ailment.
  • William Dresser, 87, played for Kansas State in 1948-49 under coach Jack Gardner after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Malachy "Mal" Duffy, 80, averaged 19.8 ppg for St. Bonaventure from 1952-53 through 1954-55. Leading scorer for the Bonnies each of his last two seasons.
  • Al Dufty Jr., 62, averaged 7.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Princeton from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach Pete Carril. The Tigers participated in NIT in Dufty's senior season.
  • Michael Clarke Duncan, 54, was a juco teammate of eventual Chicago State coach Kevin Jones in 1980-81 before enrolling at Alcorn State to play briefly under coach Davey Whitney. Duncan went on to become an actor who appeared in four films with Bruce Willis, earning an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe nomination in The Green Mile.
  • Bill Durkin, 90, played for Loyola of Chicago in the early 1940s.
  • William "Tippy" Dye II, 97, compiled a 220-132 coaching record in 14 seasons with Brown (11-7 in 1941-42), four seasons with Ohio State (53-34 from 1946-47 through 1949-50) and nine seasons with Washington (156-91 from 1950-51 through 1958-59). Dye guided OSU and UW to back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1950 and 1951 before directing the Buckeyes to 1953 Final Four. Former OSU quarterback served for three years in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Joe Early Sr., 79, was captain of Holy Cross' 1954 NIT champion coached by Buster Sheary. Politician (D-MA) served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993.
  • Henry Ebershoff II, 67, averaged 14.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Purdue from 1964-65 through 1966-67. All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as senior captain after setting still-existing single-season FT% record of 90.7 the previous year.
  • LeRoy Ellis Sr., 72, was an All-American center for St. John's as a senior in 1962. He helped power St. John's to national postseason competition all three of his varsity seasons, including an NIT runner-up finish in 1962.
  • Dave Emerson, 76, averaged 2.4 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Bradley from 1955-56 through 1957-58. As a junior, he was a member of the Braves' NIT titlist.
  • John Emery averaged 3.1 ppg for Princeton from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Played in NCAA tourney as a senior.
  • Thomas Erickson, 94, was an All-EIBL first-team selection as Yale's senior captain in 1939-40 after earning all-conference second-team honors in 1937-38.
  • Wilbur "Willie" Ernst, 78, averaged 7.5 ppg for Cincinnati from 1953-54 through 1955-56. In 1957, he compiled a 12-9 minor-league pitching record in Southwestern League (Class B).
  • Earl Evans II, 57, averaged 8.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Southern California in 1974-75 and 1975-76 under coach Bob Boyd before transferring to UNLV, where he averaged 16.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg in 1977-78 and 1978-79 under coach Jerry Tarkanian. Evans was the Rebels' top rebounder both seasons with them.
  • Jerry "Bud" Faller, 80, played for Muhlenberg in the mid-1950s.
  • Dr. Richard Falvey, 84, was senior captain for Georgetown in 1949-50 before serving in U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He averaged 3.7 ppg from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
  • Marty Farrell, 76, averaged 11.1 ppg and 9 rpg for Seton Hall's three NIT teams from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Honey Russell. Farrell was the Pirates' top rebounder as a senior.
  • Mike Faulkner, 61, averaged 14.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg for New Mexico in 1970-71 and 1971-72, leading the Lobos in scoring his final campaign. Runner-up in rebounding for them both seasons.
  • Joe Faupl, 85, averaged 6.4 ppg for Marquette from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
  • Paul Feeley Sr. scored 106 points for Loyola (Md.) in 1947-48.
  • Steve Ferreboeuf, 62, averaged 12.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg for San Francisco in 1970-71.
  • Dan Fisher, 93, averaged 4.8 ppg for Purdue from 1937-38 through 1939-40 under coach Piggy Lambert.
  • Don Flatt, 70, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg with Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Fred Taylor. As a sophomore, Flatt played in majority of games for NCAA Tournament runner-up.
  • Bill Fleming, 82, averaged 6 ppg for Duke from 1949-50 through 1951-52. As a senior teammate of All-American Dick Groat, he was runner-up in rebounding with the Blue Devils (9.7 rpg).
  • Jim Flick, 82, played for Wake Forest in the early 1950s.
  • Mario "Sam" Fortino, 88, led Michigan State in scoring in 1944-45 and 1945-46 as a teammate of eventual MLB Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts before transferring to Detroit, where he averaged a team-high 12.5 ppg in 1946-47. Fortino served in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Dr. Ed Franklin, 76, scored a total of 262 points for Baylor from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Bill Henderson.
  • Pat Frink, 67, was first player to lead Colorado in scoring in three different seasons (second half of 1960s). Three-time All-Big Eight Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg under coach Sox Walseth.
  • Mark Fritz played for Michigan in 1965-66 under coach Dave Strack.
  • Stan Fronczak, 91, played for LIU in the mid-1940s under coach Clair Bee before serving in U.S. military during WWII. Fronczak subsequently played with Illinois.
  • Frank Fucarino, 91, was on a pair of LIU's NIT teams in the early 1940s under coach Clair Bee.
  • Bill Gardiner, 86, averaged 3.6 ppg for St. Louis from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Eddie Hickey. Gardiner, a member of two NIT teams, led the Missouri Valley Conference in free-throw shooting as a junior (82.8%).
  • Robert Garwitz, 88, played for Missouri in the mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Leon Gecker, 72, averaged 1.4 ppg as a member of three straight Seattle teams appearing in NCAA playoffs from 1961 through 1963.
  • John "Jack" George, 56, played for South Carolina in 1973-74 under coach Frank McGuire.
  • Dr. Eddie Geosits, 55, averaged 2 ppg, 1.2 rpg and 1.5 apg for Lafayette from 1975-76 through 1978-79. He was runner-up with the Leopards in assists as a senior.
  • Bernard "Barney" Gill Jr., 84, played hoops for Virginia in 1947-48. He also was a top punt returner for the Cavaliers' football squad in the late 1940s.
  • Darrell Gissendanner, 53, averaged 5.1 ppg for Pittsburgh from 1978-79 through 1981-82. As a senior, he led the Panthers' NCAA tourney team in free-throw percentage while finishing runner-up in assists and steals.
  • Lee Goldstein, 61, averaged 1.3 ppg for Delaware in 1969-70.
  • Ed Gramigan Sr., 80, averaged 3.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Penn from 1951-52 through 1953-54, participating in the Quakers' first NCAA tourney in 1953 under coach Howie Dallmar. Gramigan was also a QB for the school's football squad, earning team award as top senior.
  • Ronnie Green, 67, averaged 6.2 ppg and 6 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Roy Skinner. As a junior, Green was member of Vandy team losing against Cazzie Russell-led Michigan in Mideast Regional final.
  • Herb Gregg, 93, played for Missouri in the early 1940s. Lefthanded OF hit .254 at Class C level in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system in 1942 before serving in U.S. military during WWII. He was Northern Arizona's coach in early 1970s when the Lumberjacks transitioned to major-college status.
  • O.B. "Sonny" Gregory, 81, played for Louisiana State in the early 1950s before serving in U.S. Air Force during Korean Conflict and subsequently transferring to Southwestern Louisiana.
  • Mike Greig, 55, played for Oregon in 1976-77 under coach Dick Harter.
  • Bob Griffin, 83, appeared in two basketball games for Arkansas in 1950-51. All-SWC first-team LB-C played in NFL with the Los Angeles Rams for six seasons after being their second-round pick in 1952 NFL draft.
  • Joe Hafele, 83, was an All-Ohio Valley Conference selection for Evansville in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
  • Dennis Hamilton, 68, averaged 13.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Arizona State from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Ned Wulk. Hamilton was an All-WAC second-team selection as a senior.
  • L. "Lynn" Hamilton, 83, averaged 2.3 ppg for Oregon from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
  • Bill Hamm, 90, played for Kentucky's freshman squad in 1942-43 under coach Adolph Rupp before serving in U.S. military during WWII. Hamm subsequently became an All-Border Conference second-team selection for New Mexico A&M in 1946-47 prior to scoring 250 points in 1947-48.
  • Bill Hammond, 74, averaged 4.6 ppg and 3 rpg for Oklahoma from 1957-58 to 1959-60.
  • John Haner, 75, averaged 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Virginia from 1957-58 through 1959-60. He was the Cavaliers' fourth-leading scorer each of his last two seasons.
  • Roosevelt Harper averaged 5.4 ppg for Florida A&M in 1981-82 and 1982-83.
  • Dick Harter, 81, won nearly 60% of his games decided by fewer than six points while coaching Penn (88-44 in five seasons from 1966-67 through 1970-71), Oregon (112-82 in seven seasons from 1971-72 through 1977-78) and Penn State (79-61 in five seasons from 1978-79 through 1982-83) en route to a 279-187 record in 17 major-college campaigns after piloting Rider to a 16-9 mark in 1965-66. His 1971 Penn squad was unbeaten until losing the East Regional final against Villanova.
  • Robert Hartman, 84, played for Purdue in late 1940s before averaging a team-high 17.6 ppg with Florida State's NAIB Tournament team in 1951.
  • Nick Hashu, 95, was Michigan State's captain in 1944-45.
  • Michael Haynes, 22, was a UTEP signee/Iona commitment. Juco recruit was shot and killed in his hometown of Chicago while trying to break up an argument over a necklace.
  • Dean Hedden, 76, averaged 2.7 ppg for NCAA Tournament team from Wayne State MI in 1955-56.
  • Roger Hedrick, 69, played for Middle Tennessee State in 1961-62.
  • Kenny Heitz, 65, was a regular for UCLA's three consecutive NCAA titlists in the late 1960s when all-time great Lew Alcindor manned the middle for the Bruins. Heitz averaged 6 ppg and 2.6 rpg under coach John Wooden.
  • Gary Hetherington, 57, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Southern Methodist in 1974-75.
  • Gary Hevelone, 71, averaged 11.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Tulsa from 1960-61 through 1962-63.
  • Dr. John "Jack" Hewson Sr., 87, played for Temple in 1944-45 and 1945-46 after previously attending Muhlenberg PA in 1942-43 and Bucknell in 1943-44.
  • Art Heyman, 71, was the leading scorer and rebounder for Duke's national third-place team in the 1963 NCAA Tournament when earning acclaim as Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Named national player of the year as a senior by AP, UPI and USBWA. He averaged 25.1 ppg and 10.9 rpg during three-year career.
  • Dave Hickey, 64, averaged 10.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Creighton from 1966-67 through 1968-69. As a junior, he was runner-up in scoring average with the Bluejays.
  • Paul Hickey, 86, was a letterman for Denver in the late 1940s, averaging 6.1 ppg in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
  • Sherman "Tony" Hill, 81, averaged 2.6 ppg for Indiana from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Branch McCracken.
  • Stuart "King" Hill, 75, was the fourth-leading rebounder for Rice in 1955-56 before averaging 5.4 ppg and 2.6 rpg the next season and subsequently becoming the first selection overall in NFL draft as bonus pick quarterback.
  • Lew Hitch, 82, was Culver-Stockton MO transfer who led Kansas State's 1951 NCAA Tournament runner-up in rebounding under coach Jack Gardner before becoming 19th pick overall in NBA draft. Hitch averaged 6.4 ppg in two seasons with K-State.
  • Charlie Hoag, 80, averaged 4.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Kansas in 1950-51 and 1951-52. Swingman was one of seven KU players chosen for 1952 U.S. Olympic squad that captured a gold medal in Helsinki after Jayhawks captured the NCAA Tournament title. Selected as running back in 1953 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
  • Bob Hodgson, 63, averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Penn State from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach John Bach.
  • Chuck Holley, 93, was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection for Duke in 1940-41.
  • John Homeier, 75, played for Illinois in the late 1950s under coach Harry Combes.
  • Robert Honea, 90, played for Arkansas in 1941-42.
  • Laurence "Larry" Horan, 82, averaged 6.1 ppg for California as a starting forward in 1950-51 and 1951-52.
  • Roland Horn Sr., 81, played for Rutgers in 1951-52.
  • Bob Howard, 90, was a juco recruit who played for Oregon State in 1942-43 before becoming an All-PCC South Division selection with Southern California in 1943-44.
  • Bill Hudak, 78, played for Arizona in 1955-56 under coach Fred Enke.
  • Ellis "June" Hull Jr., 64, averaged 12.3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Western Michigan from 1967-68 through 1969-70. He was WMU's leading scorer as a senior with 17.6 ppg.
  • Joe Hunnicutt III, 76, played for Marshall in the mid-1950s.
  • Ed Huse Sr., 76, averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Wyoming from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Everett Shelton.
  • Bill Hymes Jr., 88, played for Canisius in the late 1940s.
  • Walt Ivkovich, 64, averaged 1.4 ppg and 2.4 rpg for VMI from 1967-68 through 1969-70.
  • Dr. Greg Jack, 58, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Washington in mid-1970s under coach Marv Harshman. As a senior, Jack played in 1976 NCAA Tournament.
  • Merv Jackson, 65, averaged 17.6 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Utah from 1965-66 through 1967-68, pacing the Utes in scoring each of his last two seasons as All-Western Athletic Conference first-team selection. Member of Final Four squad as sophomore before ranking 20th in the nation in scoring and FT% as All-American senior.
  • Gen. Samuel Jaskilka, 92, was an All-Yankee Conference second-team selection for Connecticut as a senior in 1941-42. He went on to become a general in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as second-in-command during much of the second half of the 1970s.
  • Gene Johnson, 24, played for Morgan State from 2007-08 through 2010-11, participating in NCAA playoffs as a junior.
  • Leo Johnson, 83, averaged 7.7 ppg for Arizona from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Fred Enke. Two-time All-Border Conference selection led the Wildcats' first-ever NCAA tourney team in rebounding (12.4 rpg) and assists (4.9 apg) as a senior.
  • Ken Jolly, 72, averaged 6.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach John Oldham. Jolly is the father of Tennessee women's head coach Kellie Harper.
  • Calvin Kane Jr., 50, played for Lamar's NCAA tourney team in 1980.
  • John Kane, 79, averaged 11.7 ppg as Temple's captain in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Harry Litwack. Kane was the Owls' leading scorer as a junior.
  • John Keller, 77, averaged 4.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Seton Hall in 1954-55 under coach Honey Russell.
  • George Kelley, 86, averaged 10.1 ppg for Vanderbilt from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Bob Polk. Kelley was senior captain.
  • John Kelly, 88, led Notre Dame in FG% as senior in 1946-47.
  • Marv Kessler, 80, played for North Carolina State in 1955-56 and 1956-57 under coach Everett Case.
  • Dr. Ed Kinsella, 91, played for St. Louis in 1939-40.
  • Walton "Walt" Kirk, 88, was an All-American for Illinois in the mid-1940s before serving in Army during WWII. He was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection.
  • Clayce Kishbaugh, 77, averaged 10.8 ppg and 3.7 rpg for West Virginia's three NCAA Tournament teams from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Fred Schaus. Kishbaugh was co-captain as a senior.
  • Dave Klassen, 60, averaged 7.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Detroit in 1969-70.
  • Jeff Klingler, 45, averaged 8.4 ppg and 2 rpg for Western Illinois in 1985-86 and 1986-87 (team runner-up in scoring average).
  • James Knierim, 85, was a four-year letterman for Bowling Green State from 1944-45 through 1947-48 under coach Harold Anderson, playing in three NITs (finishing runner-up as freshman). Knierim was also an end on BGSU's football squad.
  • Bill Koncar, 81, averaged 2.1 ppg for 1.9 rpg for Utah in 1955-56 after serving in U.S. Navy during Korean Conflict.
  • Joel Kortus, 68, averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Nebraska from 1962-63 through 1964-65.
  • Dan Kraus Sr., 89, averaged 8.1 ppg for Georgetown in the mid-1940s. He was co-captain in 1942-43 for NCAA Tournament runner-up (third-leading scorer with Hoyas during playoffs) before serving in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and coming back to earn two more letters.
  • Dr. Frank Kudlaty, 84, was a four-year starter for Texas Christian from 1945-46 through 1948-49.
  • Rollo Kuebler, 84, averaged 1.6 ppg for Loyola of Chicago in 1948-49 and 1950-51. U.S. Army veteran during WWII was inducted into Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame.
  • Dr. Rod Lancaster, 89, played for Auburn in the mid-1940s.
  • Marquis "Marc" Landrum, 73, averaged 6.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Yale in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Joe Vancisin.
  • Dr. John Laneve Sr., 77, averaged 1.7 ppg for Pittsburgh from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
  • Carl Langschmidt Jr., 81, played for Tennessee in 1951-52 and 1952-53.
  • Herb Larkins, a juco recruit, averaged 4.6 ppg and 2.9 rpg for North Texas State in 1969-70 and 1970-71.
  • Dave Latimer, 82, averaged 7 ppg for Seton Hall from 1948-49 through 1950-51. Runner-up in points scored with the Pirates as a junior before serving as senior captain for fourth-place team in NIT.
  • Frederick "Mike" Laughna, 62, averaged 16 ppg and 10.8 rpg for Georgetown from 1969-70 through 1971-72. Top player for the Hoyas just before John Thompson Jr. coaching era was their top rebounder all three seasons and also leading scorer as junior and senior captain and team MVP.
  • Joshua "Manny" Lawrence was an All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection in 1960-61 when finishing runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Colorado State under coach Jim Williams.
  • George Leddy, 86, averaged 2.3 ppg for DePaul in 1948-49 under coach Ray Meyer.
  • Bob Leidy, 75, averaged 3.1 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Miami FL in 1957-58 under coach Bruce Hale.
  • Andrew "Fuzzy" Levane, 92, was the third-leading scorer for St. John's in 1941-42 and 1942-43 under legendary coach Joe Lapchick. He won the Haggerty Award presented to premier player in New York City metropolitan area.
  • Alonzo Lewis, 77, averaged 13.9 ppg for La Salle from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Sophomore teammate of All-American Tom Gola with NCAA Tournament runner-up (second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer) before leading the Explorers in FG% as junior and FT% as senior.
  • Bob Lewis, 86, was fifth-leading scorer as Utah freshman for 1944 NCAA Tournament titlist before becoming three-year letterman with Stanford in late 1940s.
  • Delvy "Del" Lewis, 68, averaged 8.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Kansas from 1963-64 through 1965-66. All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection was senior co-captain of Ted Owens' first NCAA tourney team as coach of the Jayhawks.
  • Fred Linari, 92, was a junior reserve for Stanford's national kingpin in 1942 under coach Everett Dean.
  • Darnell "DJ" Lindsay, 24, was a juco recruit who averaged 8 ppg and 3 rpg for Tennessee Tech in 2008-09.
  • John Liston, 77, was a member of Iowa's national fourth-place finisher in 1955 NCAA Tournament before transferring to Knox College IL.
  • Bob Lofland, 90, lettered for Texas Tech in 1945-46 and 1946-47 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Donn Lorenzen, 78, played for Iowa State in 1953-54.
  • Carl Loyd, 86, was swingman who sandwiched stint in U.S. Navy during WWII between seasons lettering with Notre Dame in 1943-44 and 1946-47.
  • Ted Luckenbill, 72, averaged 16.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg for Houston from 1958-59 through 1960-61 under coach Guy Lewis. Led the Cougars in rebounding all three seasons before becoming 15th pick overall in 1961 NBA draft.
  • Harry Lux, 77, averaged 1.4 ppg for Michigan State from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Member of MSU's Final Four team as senior.
  • Joe Lyles, 83, played for St. Louis in 1948-49 under coach Eddie Hickey. Lyles compiled a 4-12 pitching record in the St. Louis Browns' farm system in 1949 and 1950 before posting a 108-229-3 baseball coaching mark at Washington & Lee VA from 1959 to 1978.
  • Jim Lysek, 77, played for Penn State in mid-1950s.
  • Ed Magnus, 88, was a Marquette reserve in 1947-48 and 1948-49 after serving as Technical Sergeant in Battle of the Bulge during WWII.
  • Rick Majerus, 64, compiled a 517-215 record in 25 seasons coaching Marquette (56-35 in three years from 1983-84 through 1985-86), Ball State (43-17 in two years in 1987-88 and 1988-89), Utah (323-95 in 15 years from 1989-90 through 2003-04) and Saint Louis (95-69 in five years from 2007-08 through 2011-12). Received Wooden Award as national coach of the year in 1998 when his Utah squad became the only Final Four team ever to feature three Academic All-Americans among its regulars.
  • Clair Markey, 76, averaged 3.1 ppg for Seattle during three seasons in the late 1950s.
  • Milton Martin, 73, averaged 15.4 ppg for Hardin-Simmons from 1957-58 through 1960-61. All-Border Conference second-team selection each of his last two seasons held the school's career scoring record for 33 years.
  • Slater "Dugie" Martin Jr., 86, was the second-leading scorer for Texas' national third-place team in 1947 NCAA Tournament (26-2 record). He became an All-SWC first-team selection the next two seasons and scored a school single-game record 49 points as a senior against TCU (subsequently tied).
  • Henry Mathews, 67, averaged 4.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Washington in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
  • Dr. Ted Matthews Sr., 77, averaged 2.1 ppg for Pittsburgh in 1953-54.
  • Will McAllister, 70, was on St. Louis' roster in 1960-61 under coach John Benington.
  • John Paul "Pete" McCaffrey, 73, averaged 10.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg for St. Louis from 1957-58 through 1959-60. Among the top three scorers for back-to-back NIT teams. All-MVC first-team selection as senior before earning spot on 1964 U.S. Olympic squad.
  • Charles McCaullagh, 79, played for Boston College in 1956-57.
  • Len "Tuffy" McCormick, 89, played for Baylor's first NCAA Tournament team in 1946 under coach Bill Henderson. McCormick was a C-LB with the AAFC's Baltimore Colts in 1948.
  • Jim McCoy Sr., 76, averaged 13.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Marquette from 1956-57 through 1958-59, appearing in the NCAA playoffs his senior season under coach Eddie Hickey.
  • John McDowell, 57, averaged 8.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Pan American in 1974-75 and 1975-76 under coach Abe Lemons. Juco recruit ranked among the nation's top 20 rebounders as a senior.
  • Bill McKenzie, 70, averaged 2.9 ppg for Washington State from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Marv Harshman.
  • Francis "Frank" McNamara Jr., 84, was on Georgetown's roster in 1945-46 but never played for the Hoyas.
  • Roy Menzel, 95, was an All-EIBL first-team selection for Penn in 1936-37 and 1937-38.
  • Ivan Mielke, 80, averaged 8.8 ppg and 10 rpg for Marshall in 1958-59.
  • Francis "Beau" Minx, 92, played for Missouri in 1943-44 before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Bernie Mock, 90, was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection for North Carolina State in 1943-44 after serving as team captain the previous season.
  • Jim Modlin, 64, averaged 14.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg for East Carolina from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Leading scorer for the Pirates as senior when named an All-Southern Conference second-team selection.
  • Chester "Chet" Montgomery, 79, averaged 1.9 ppg for Western Kentucky in 1958-59 under coach Ed Diddle.
  • W. "Udell" Moore, 93, played for Texas in the early 1940s.
  • Tommy Moorman, 82, played for Texas Christian in the late 1940s.
  • Rudy Moreno, 79, averaged 2.8 ppg for Arizona State in 1951-52 before serving in the U.S. Army.
  • Grenville "Doc" Morgan, 77, averaged 1.1 ppg for Clemson from 1953-54 through 1955-56.
  • Harold "Lefty" Morrill, 86, averaged 5.3 ppg for Michigan from 1947-48 through 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII aboard a minesweeper in the South Pacific.
  • John "Paul" Morrow, 80, averaged 13.7 ppg for Wisconsin from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bud Foster, leading the Badgers in rebounding all three seasons. Morrow still holds school single-game record with 30 rebounds against Purdue as a junior when he paced team in scoring.
  • John Moylan, 65, averaged 1.8 ppg for Creighton in 1965-66.
  • John "Jack" Mueller, 85, was among Wake Forest's top three scorers in 1948-49 and 1949-50 under coach Murray Greason.
  • Dr. Peter Mullins, 85, averaged 10.1 ppg for Washington State from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Jack Friel. Captain as a senior when All-PCC North Division second-team selection led the Cougars with 13.4 ppg. He finished sixth in the decathlon in 1948 London Olympics as member of Australian contingent.
  • Vic Napolitano, 83, scored 41 points in 17 games for Temple in 1949-50 and 1950-51 as teammate of All-American Bill Mlkvy. Napolitano was also a soccer goalie sensation.
  • Aubrey Nash, 62, averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Kansas from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach Ted Owens. Nash was in the regular rotation for the Jayhawks' 1971 Final Four team.
  • Don Nuxhall, 78, averaged 5.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Miami of Ohio in nine games in 1953-54 before serving tour of duty in U.S. Army in Japan. He was a brother of MLB pitcher Joe Nuxhall.
  • Bill O'Donald, 78, averaged 5.1 ppg and 3 rpg for Arizona from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Fred Enke.
  • Pat O'Keefe Sr., 77, averaged 6.8 ppg for Marquette from 1953-54 through 1955-56, playing for the school's first NCAA tourney team in 1955.
  • Neil O'Neill, 70, averaged 5.7 ppg for NYU's East Regional third-place teams in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
  • Chinedu "Nedu" Onyeuku, 29, was a J.C. recruit from Nigeria who averaged 5.6 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Illinois State in 2004-05 and 2005-06. He was shot and killed in botched burglary around 3 a.m. while breaking into an alleged marijuana dealer's home in Plano, Tex.
  • Walter "Wally" Osterkorn, 83, was Illinois' leading scorer as a senior in 1949-50 before becoming the 17th pick overall in NBA draft. He was runner-up in scoring for NCAA tourney third-place finisher in 1949 under coach Harry Combes.
  • Jim Owsley, 77, played for Colorado in 1953-54.
  • Scott Pace, 33, played for Army in 2002-03 under coach Jim Crews. Aviation troop commander was flying on patrol when Army Captain's helicopter was riddled with machine-gun fire in Afghanistan.
  • Mickey Panovich, 90, played for UCLA in 1946-47 after serving in U.S. Parachute Infantry during WWII.
  • Noble Patton, 80, played for Vanderbilt in 1951-52 under coach Bob Polk before transferring and averaging 8.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg with Tennessee Tech's first Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion in 1956.
  • Jerry Payne, 67, was a juco recruit who averaged 2 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Texas A&M in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Shelby Metcalf.
  • Don Penwell, 81, was leading scorer with 15.6 ppg in 1951-52 for Oklahoma City's first of six straight NCAA tourney teams.
  • Bob Peters, 76, averaged 10 ppg for Ohio University from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Jim Snyder. Peters was an All-Mid-American Conference second-team selection as a senior when leading the Bobcats in scoring.
  • Mel Peterson Jr., 85, was Marquette's leading scorer as a senior in 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Dave Pfahler, 65, averaged 6.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg for St. Joseph's from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Jack McKinney. Pfahler was the Hawks' third-leading scorer and rebounder as a senior for their NCAA tourney team.
  • Bill Phillips, 83, played for Furman from 1946-47 through 1948-49 under coach Lyles Alley. Hit .174 as a catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system in 1949 and 1950.
  • Charley Powell, 65, averaged 21.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Loyola New Orleans from 1966-67 through 1968-69. First African-American to play for a predominantly white Louisiana university led the Wolfpack in scoring all three seasons.
  • John Pritchard, 85, was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection for Drake in the late 1940s, leading the Bulldogs in scoring in 1948-49.
  • Ellis "Bob" Pritchett, 86, led Idaho in scoring in 1948-49 and 1949-50 as an All-PCC North Division selection.
  • Neil Reed, 36, is the former Indiana player who coach Bob Knight was caught on tape choking during a practice in 1997. Reed transferred to Southern Mississippi, where he led the Golden Eagles in scoring in 1998-99 with 18.1 ppg.
  • Fred Rehm, 91, averaged 3.7 ppg as a sophomore for Wisconsin's 1941 NCAA Tournament titlist coached by Bud Foster.
  • Nolan Richardson III, 47, averaged 6.5 ppg for Oklahoma State in 1985-86 and 1986-87 before son of Arkansas' 1994 NCAA champion coached Tennessee State to 23-41 record during three seasons from 2000-01 to 2002-03.
  • Ocie Richie, 90, lettered with Arkansas' Final Four team in 1945 before transferring home to Northwestern State in Louisiana.
  • Aaron Riggleman Sr., 54, was a backup center for Appalachian State in 1979-80 and 1980-81 under coach Bobby Cremins.
  • Arnie Risen, 87, was an All-American and All-Big Nine Conference first-team selection in 1945 upon helping Ohio State reach the NCAA Final Four in back-to-back years after transferring from Eastern Kentucky.
  • James "Tim" Robinson, 72, was runner-up to All-American Chet Walker in scoring and rebounding for Bradley in 1960-61 with 16.5 ppg and 8.6 rpg before Robinson and a teammate were dismissed in the wake of point-shaving allegations.
  • John Robinson, 56, averaged 11.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg for Michigan from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Johnny Orr. Second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for NCAA national runner-up as junior was UM co-captain as senior.
  • Kenny Rollins, 89, was a two-time All-SEC selection who averaged 7 ppg for Kentucky in 1942-43, 1946-47 and 1947-48. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII before starting for UK's NCAA titlist as a senior.
  • Ken Rose, 82, averaged 5.8 ppg for Oklahoma City in 1951-52 and 1952-53, appearing in the NCAA tourney both seasons.
  • Bill Ross, 52, averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Clemson from 1978-79 through 1981-82 under coach Bill Foster. As a sophomore, the Tigers were West Regional runner-up.
  • Ed Rothenberg, 77, averaged 2.7 ppg for Cincinnati in 1954-55 under coach George Smith.
  • Dan Roundfield, 59, was three-time All-MAC selection who averaged 16.7 ppg and 13.1 rpg for Central Michigan from 1972-73 through 1974-75. League Player of the Year as senior when ranking fourth in the nation in FG%. He drowned off the coast of Aruba while attempting to save his wife from a similar fate.
  • Layton "Mickey" Rouse, 93, averaged 6.2 ppg for Kentucky from 1937-38 through 1939-40 under coach Adolph Rupp. All-SEC selection and captain as senior.
  • Jack Runyan, 80, averaged 9.9 ppg for Purdue from 1951-52 through 1953-54, leading the Boilermakers in total points as a junior.
  • George Sauer Jr., 89, was a starter for Texas Christian in 1944-45 before serving in the U.S. Army at close of WWII.
  • Peter Sauer, 35, was captain and third-leading rebounder as a junior for Stanford's 1998 Final Four squad coached by Mike Montgomery. Sauer, a three-year starter, averaged 7.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg in his four-season career.
  • Alan Sawyer, 84, was UCLA's leading scorer as senior captain for coach John Wooden's first NCAA playoff team in 1949-50 before becoming the 28th pick overall in NBA draft. As a junior, Sawyer also led the Bruins in scoring average as an All-PCC South Division honoree.
  • Herb Scherer, 83, was 18th pick overall in 1950 NBA draft after competing in NIT with LIU under coach Clair Bee.
  • Dwayne Schintzius, 43, was the center for Florida's first three NCAA playoff teams in the late 1980s coached by Norm Sloan. Schintzius averaged 14.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.3 apg and 2.5 bpg in 3 1/2-season career before becoming a first-round selection in NBA draft.
  • Tom Schlager, 65, averaged 7.3 ppg and 4 rpg for Xavier from 1966-67 through 1968-69. As a senior, he was the Musketeers' third-leading scorer.
  • Allen Schlegelmilch, 73, averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Indiana from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Branch McCracken.
  • Francis "Paul" Schmidt, 77, averaged 8.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Duke from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Harold Bradley. All-ACC second-team selection as a senior when leading league in field-goal shooting (52.3%).
  • George Schmidt Jr. averaged 11.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg for Penn from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Jack McCloskey. Schmidt was an All-Ivy League second-team selection as a senior when he led the Quakers in scoring and rebounding.
  • John Schmitt Sr., 94, played for Georgetown from 1937-38 through 1939-40. He was senior captain.
  • Warren Scholler, 89, compiled a 43-52 coaching record with Bowling Green State in four seasons from 1963-64 through 1966-67 as Bill Fitch's predecessor.
  • Don Shaffer, 72, averaged 5.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Cornell from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
  • Charlie Share, 85, averaged 14.3 ppg for Bowling Green State from 1946-47 through 1949-50. Ranked among the nation's top 24 in scoring and field-goal percentage each of his last two seasons. All-American as senior before becoming first pick overall in NBA draft after one territorial selection.
  • Steve Shumaker, 65, was a J.C. recruit who averaged 1.9 ppg and 3 rpg for Louisiana State in 1967-68 before transferring to Iowa Wesleyan.
  • Roy "Sleepy" Simms, 52, averaged 3.7 ppg, 2.8 apg and 1.5 spg for Detroit from 1979-80 through 1982-83, leading the Titans in assists as a senior.
  • Joseph "Gene" Simpson, 81, averaged 2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Tennessee in 1955-56 before U.S. military veteran concentrated on baseball.
  • Ed Siudut, 65, averaged 22.4 ppg and 12.3 rpg for Holy Cross from 1966-67 through 1968-69, leading the Crusaders in rebounding all three seasons.
  • Mike Sivulich Jr., 75, was a Navy veteran who averaged 14.5 ppg as All-Big Sky Conference first-team selection for Weber State in 1963-64 under coach Dick Motta when school made transition from J.C. level.
  • Bill "Moose" Skowron, 81, scored 18 points in eight basketball games for Purdue in 1949-50. Six-time All-Star 1B hit .282 with 211 homers and 888 RBI with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and California Angels in 14 years from 1954 through 1967.
  • G.J. Smith, 59, averaged 3 ppg for Kentucky from 1972-73 through 1974-75. Member of NCAA Tournament runner-up as a senior.
  • John Eugene "Gene" Southwood, 82, averaged 5.6 ppg for Vanderbilt from 1949-50 through 1951-52.
  • Charlie Spoonhour, 72, coached Southwest Missouri State, St. Louis and UNLV. In 1994, he guided SLU to its first NCAA tourney in 37 years.
  • Eddie Spriggs, 68, was an Ohio native who played for Miami FL in 1965-66.
  • Chris Stavreti, 73, averaged 3.5 ppg for Miami FL from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was a teammate of a brother, Carl, his last two seasons with the Hurricanes.
  • Jerome "Jerry" Steiner, 94, was a three-year letterman for Butler and captain as senior in 1939-40.
  • Neil Stephens, 78, was a member of Brigham Young's NIT team in 1952-53.
  • Bob Stevens, 88, scored a total of 57 points for Michigan State in 1947-48 and 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Marines during WWII. Compiled an 80-124 coaching record in eight seasons for South Carolina (34-45 from 1959-60 through 1961-62) and Oklahoma (46-79 from 1962-63 through 1966-67).
  • Cyril Stitt, 57, averaged 1.9 ppg for Florida State from 1972-73 through 1974-75 under coach Hugh Durham.
  • Denny Strickland, 73, averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Oregon from 1958-59 through 1960-61. Team MVP as senior helped launch Nike's first couple advertising campaigns.
  • John "Jack" Superka, 71, averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Muhlenberg PA from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
  • Daniel "Mike" Svilar, 83, was leading scorer for New Mexico A&M's first NCAA playoff team in 1952 as an All-Border Conference first-team selection.
  • Larry Swanson, 76, averaged 1.7 ppg for Iowa State in 1955-56 and 1956-57. He also played baseball for the Cyclones, who reached the CWS in 1957.
  • Gerard "Jerry" Tardie, 70, averaged 1.3 ppg for Seattle in 1962-63 and 1963-64.
  • Marvin "Corky" Taylor, 60, averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Minnesota from 1970-71 through 1972-73. He gained notoriety for his role in a nasty brawl with Ohio State (kneed Buckeyes center Luke Witte in groin).
  • Scott Taylor, 40, was a reserve for Akron in 1991-92 and 1992-93.
  • John "Jack" Thomas, 83, averaged 1.2 ppg for Tennessee in 1947-48.
  • Tyrell Thompson, 23, averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Army from 2006-07 through 2009-10.
  • John Tiller, 70, averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.3 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64 for St. Joseph's under coach Jack Ramsay as the Hawks' first African-American player.
  • Carlyle "Blackie" Towery, 92, was a two-time All-American for Western Kentucky. He participated in the 1940 NCAA Tournament.
  • Bob Tremaine Jr., 78, averaged 14.3 ppg for Hardin-Simmons TX from 1952-53 through 1956-57 (redshirt in 1955-56). Three-time All-Border Conference first-team selection participated in the NCAA playoffs as a senior.
  • Ken Trickey Sr., 79, compiled a 171-179 NCAA Division I record in 13 DI seasons coaching Middle Tennessee State (45-54 in four years from 1965-66 through 1968-69), Oral Roberts (86-55 in five years from 1971-72 through 1973-74, 1987-88 and 1988-89), Iowa State (13-40 in two years in 1974-75 and 1975-76) and Oklahoma City (27-30 in two years in 1979-80 and 1980-81). He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference selection with MTSU in 1952-53 and 1953-54.
  • Edward "Ned" Twyman, 73, averaged 14.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Duquesne from 1958-59 through 1960-61. Brother of Cincinnati All-American Jack Twyman led the Dukes in scoring as a senior before becoming the 58th pick overall in 1961 NBA draft.
  • Jack Twyman, 78, was an All-American for Cincinnati as a senior in 1955. He led the Bearcats in scoring and rebounding his last three seasons.
  • Bill Ulbin Jr., 59, averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.2 apg for American University from 1971-72 through 1973-74.
  • Ellis "Gene" Vance, 88, was a member of Illinois' famed "Whiz Kids" in 1941-42 and 1942-43 before three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection's career was interrupted by three years serving in U.S. Army during WWII (earned two Bronze Stars).
  • Jimmy Viramontes, 84, averaged 3.5 ppg for Texas in 1950-51 and 1951-52, leading the Longhorns in assists his second season after they captured SWC crown the previous year.
  • Bill "Baldy" Vojtko (or Voit), 90, played for Duquesne in the mid-1940s under coach Chick Davies. Vojtko's college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • David Voss, 72, averaged 14.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg for Tulsa from 1958-59 through 1960-61, leading the Golden Hurricane in scoring as All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection as junior and senior.
  • Frank "Whitey" Wahl, 90, was Akron's captain in the late 1940s.
  • David Wall, 35, averaged 15.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 38 3FG% for Southern Mississippi in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Juco recruit led USM in scoring average both seasons as All-Conference USA selection.
  • Dennis Walling, 80, was a three-year letterman for West Texas State in the early 1950s. He coached his alma mater to an 83-67 record (.553) in six seasons from 1967-68 through 1972-73 (including 1969 NIT).
  • Coy "Edwin" Watson Sr., 83, averaged 3.1 ppg for Furman in 1950-51 under coach Lyles Alley.
  • Lou Watson, 88, was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection and All-American for Indiana as a senior in 1949-50 under coach Branch McCracken. Watson coached his alma mater for five seasons as Bob Knight's predecessor.
  • Larry Wetter, 78, averaged 6.9 ppg for Iowa State from 1951-52 through 1954-55. Senior co-captain was third-leading scorer for the Cyclones when averaging 9.9 ppg.
  • Phil Wheeler, 78, averaged 14.7 ppg and 10.5 rpg in three-year Cincinnati career under coach George Smith, leading the Bearcats in scoring as senior team captain with 21.5 ppg in 1955-56. Wheeler was runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer for 1955 NIT third-place team.
  • Kendall "Fuzz" White, 77, averaged 8.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Virginia in 1955-56.
  • Dr. Vilbry White, 84, was a member of Texas' 1947 Final Four squad before averaging 7.5 ppg as a senior in 1948-49.
  • Jerome Whitehead, 56, was the second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for Marquette's 1977 NCAA championship club. Whitehead became an All-American the next season when he averaged 14 ppg and 8.3 rpg.
  • Walter "Sam" Williams, 88, coached Pan American for 14 campaigns including first five seasons at NCAA Division I level when the Broncs compiled a 51-74 record from 1968-69 through 1972-73 before he was succeeded by Abe Lemons. Williams was a co-equal to Hall of Famer Don Haskins (Texas-El Paso) in Texas basketball integration.
  • Dr. Cliff "Corky" Williamson, 78, averaged 1.1 ppg for Indiana from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Branch McCracken.
  • Norb Witte, 74, averaged 1.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Indiana from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Branch McCracken.
  • Morris Wood, 96, was an All-Border Conference selection for New Mexico A&M in 1937-38 and 1938-39.
  • Don Woodson, 80, was a member of Kansas' squad in 1950-51.
  • Orlando Woolridge, 52, was a backup freshman frontcourter for Notre Dame's lone Final Four team in 1978.
  • Bob Wright, 86, coached Morehead State to a 58-38 record in four seasons from 1965-66 through 1968-69. He played for Marshall when the school didn't compete at major-university level.
  • Lawrence "Lonnie" Wright, 67, averaged 18.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Colorado State from 1963-64 through 1965-66, pacing the Rams in scoring all three seasons. First athlete in professional sports history to simultaneously compete in football (defensive back with Denver Broncos) and basketball (Denver Rockets).
  • Eddie Yost, 86, played basketball for NYU as a freshman in 1943-44. He went on to become an A.L. All-Star 3B who led league in walks six times, games played three times, on-base percentage twice, doubles in 1951 and runs scored scored in 1959. Yost assembled the longest consecutive games played streak (838) since Lou Gehrig.
  • Bill Zimmer, 67, averaged 1.8 ppg for Duke in 1964-65 and 1965-66 under coach Vic Bubas.
  • Francis "Frank" Zummach, 101, was a three-year letterman and Marquette's co-captain averaging 3.6 ppg in 1931-32 when the school competed against All-American John Wooden's Purdue squad.