Moment of Final Four Silence: Acknowledging Alumni Who Went Before Them
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell's poem Hallowed Ground
Memo to Final Four players: It's not just about this year's team. Never forget those who supported your program along the way and never forget who helped program out while everyone else was making excuses about not doing what you achieved.
Feel proud to take them with you on trip to hoops haven Indianapolis area and make them part of your "Hoosiers" experience. They fully knew the sweat-and-tears sacrifice you expended. They had the same sense of pride when putting on uniform of your common alma mater. They are your extended teammates who would have donned old lettermen jackets/sweaters/caps or newer school merchandise this weekend if they were still alive. They set the table for you and will be there in spirit. Take a second to acknowledge them with a silent thank you because they also left it all on the court trying to earn this moment. They didn't quite make the heart-pounding journey with you. But if you believe in the hereafter, they'll still be rooting for you.
The roaring 2020s was ushered in with an almost apocalyptic # of Connecticut ex-players dying of at least 15 in 2020 before the Huskies earned back-to-back national titles. The year 2020 also marked the deaths of Final Four coaches Lute Olson (Arizona) and Lou Henson (Illinois) from a couple of this year's participants.
Duke's deceased probably are rolling over in their graves after the Blue Devils squandered a 19-point lead against UConn in this year's East Regional final. Following is a RIP sampling of basketball brotherhood (deceased players) from 2026 F4 schools perishing earlier this decade (including several All-Big Ten Conference selections for Illinois:
ARIZONA
2024 - Bill Decker (died at age of 81/averaged 5.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 1961-62; Ruben Douglas (44/8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2 apg in 1998-99 under coach Olson before transferring to New Mexico, where Douglas averaged 20.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.6 apg from 2000-01 through 2002-03. Three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection led the nation in scoring as a senior when league Player of Year contributed 28 ppg), and Tom Sutton (80/1.4 ppg in 1964-65 and 1965-66).
2023 - Bill Reeves (88/7.6 ppg and 10.7 rpg from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Fred Enke. Two-year captain when leading the Wildcats in rebounding set existing school single-season record with 13.2 rpg as a junior) and Dave Schuff (92/juco recruit averaged 9.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3 apg as an All-Border Conference second-team selection for school's first NCAA tourney team in 1951).
2022 - Roy Brown (89/scored four points in his only game in 1952-53 under coach Enke).
2021 - Robbie Dosty (62/10 ppg and 5 rpg from 1977-78 through 1980-81. Juco recruit led the Wildcats in rebounding as a senior) and Marv Dutt (81/8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 1959-60 and 1960-61 as juco recruit under coach Enke. Dutt, a righthanded pitcher, compiled a 63-37 record in the Houston Colt .45s/Astros farm system in six years from 1961 through 1966 before posting a 10-7 mark as Kansas City Athletics' farmhand in 1967. Led Durham in Class A Carolina League in victories in 1964 with 11 and 1965 with 15. Among his minor-league teammates were Joe Hoerner, Joe Morgan, Doug Rader, Rusty Staub and Jimmy Wynn).
2020 - James "Jamie" Foster (76/played in mid-1960s); Dick Soule (95/played in 1943-44 under coach Enke before serving in U.S. Army during WWII); Allan Stanton (88/1.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 1950-51 and 1951-52 under coach Enke. Stanton was a three-year football letterman), and Miles "Gus" Zeller (82/5 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when he also was a pitcher for CWS teams both seasons. Zeller compiled a 9-11 record and 5.64 ERA in the Kansas City Athletics' farm system in 1962 and 1963).
CONNECTICUT
2024 - Andy Czuchry (83/7.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63 in Hugh Greer's last three campaigns as coach of the Huskies. Czuchry appeared in NCAA tourney as a senior after Greer died of a heart attack in mid-season); Rakim Lubin (28/played his freshman season with UConn in 2014-15 before transferring to Cal State Northridge, where he averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 2016-17. Lubin finished his college career at LSU-Shreveport), and Seymour "Sy" Menchel (92/3.3 ppg in 1951-52 and 1952-53 under coach Greer).
2023 - Norman Bailey (61/8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 apg and 1.4 spg from 1980-81 to 1982-83. He led the Huskies in steals and was runner-up in assists in 1981-82); Dan Heffernan (94/played in late 1940s under coach Greer); Richard Kiernan (88/1.8 ppg in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Greer); Edward Martin III (84/7.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg with three NCAA tourney teams from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Greer. Martin led the Huskies in rebounding as a junior), and Jon "Jack" Rose (85/14.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg with three NCAA tourney teams from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Greer. Rose was the Huskies' top scorer as a sophomore and junior).
2022 - Henry "Hank" Bartnicki (98/All-Yankee Conference first-team selection as sophomore in 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He averaged 6.9 ppg in 1948-49 and 1949-50 under coach Greer); John "Jack" Beardsworth Sr. (95/2 ppg in 1948-49 under coach Greer after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII); Joe Bransfield Jr. (93/played in 1948-49 under coach Greer); George "Jet" Dargati (90/played for UConn in 1952-53 under coach Greer before serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict and subsequently becoming Hall of Famer at Willimantic State CT with career scoring average of 24.5 ppg); Ernest MacFadgen (95/5.8 ppg with school's first NCAA tourney team in 1950-51 under coach Greer); Worthington "Worthy" Patterson Jr. (91/11.5 ppg from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Greer. Two-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection participated in NCAA playoffs as a senior), and John Risley III (84/2.2 ppg from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Greer. Risley was a pitcher for the Huskies' 1959 CWS participant before compiling a 9-6 record and 3.98 ERA with two shutouts in the Cleveland Indians' farm system at Class C level in 1960).
2021 - Bob Dube (87/1.8 ppg with three clubs competing in national postseason competition from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Greer); Harold "Deke" Garner (89/4.3 ppg and 2.2 rpg from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Greer), and W. "Pete" Lind (95/led team in scoring in 1948-49 before becoming All-Yankee Conference first-team selection the next season. He averaged 9.1 ppg those two years under coach Greer).
2020 - Wayne Davis (81/7.4 ppg and 7.8 rpg for three NCAA tourney teams from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Greer. Davis went on to become one of the FBI's earliest African-American executives); Art Galaise Jr. (93/played in late 1940s after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII); Joe Haberl (87/2 ppg and 3 rpg in 1952-53 under coach Greer before transferring to Central Connecticut State after serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict. Haberl was a first baseman-pitcher in New York Giants' farm system in 1956 and 1957); Phil Jones (88/4.4 ppg from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Greer); Dave King (80/All-Yankee Conference second-team selection in 1960-61 when finishing as team's runner-up in scoring and rebounding under coach Greer); Lou Orlando Jr. (88/4.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Greer. Orlando was an All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a senior); Fran "Red" Quinn Jr. (85/7 ppg from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Greer. All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a senior scored at least 14 points in single NCAA tourney outing each of his last two seasons); Clifford Robinson (53/15.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg from 1985-86 through 1988-89. He was a two-time All-Big East Conference selection); Stanley Robinson (32/9.8 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 2006-07 through 2009-10 under coach Jim Calhoun. Robinson was third-leading rebounder for the Huskies' 2009 Final Four team before pacing them in caroms as senior); Howard Silverstein (91/3.3 ppg in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Greer); Ed Slomcenski (77/10.5 ppg and 9.4 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He led the Huskies in rebounding as a sophomore before becoming an All-Yankee Conference first-team selection for an NCAA playoff squad the next season); George Sotille (92/roster member in 1949-50 under coach Greer after serving in U.S. Army); George Uhl (85/7.8 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Greer after serving in U.S. Air Force. Uhl scored seven points when UConn was eliminated by Final Four-bound NYU in 1960 NCAA playoffs); Ted Vartelas (89/3 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 1952-53 under coach Greer), and Alfred Wehrle (86/1.4 ppg with national postseason competition teams in 1954 and 1955 under coach Greer).
ILLINOIS
2025 - Dave Downey (84/18.9 ppg and 11 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Harry Combes, leading the Illini in scoring and rebounding all three seasons. All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as a senior when he scored school single-game record of 53 points against Indiana before becoming 30th pick overall in NBA draft) and Efrem Winters (61/11.5 ppg and 6.6 rpg from 1982-83 through 1985-86 under coach Henson. Winters led the Illini's 1984 Mideast Regional finalist in scoring (14.7 ppg).
2024 - Ted Beach (94/6.4 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Combes. As a senior, Beach was runner-up in scoring with the Illini's national third-place team in NCAA playoffs); Randy Crews (75/8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70. As a sophomore, he was the Illini's runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer. 1B hit .296 with 37 homers and 166 RBI in the Chicago Cubs' farm system in four years from 1970 to 1973. His team-high .323 batting average for Quincy (Class A Midwest League) in 1971 was significantly higher that year than marks managed for other clubs by eventual long-time big leaguers Brian Downing, Gorman Thomas, Marc Hill and Bucky Dent); Doug Mills (84/3.3 ppg from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Combes), and Don Ohl (88/14 ppg from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Combes. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was an All-American as a senior when leading the Illini in scoring with 19.6 ppg/fourth in league).
2023 - Paul Judson (89/15.3 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Combes. As senior captain, two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was an All-American before becoming 12th pick overall in NBA draft).
2022 - Marc Davidson (49/1.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 1991-92 and 1992-93 before transferring to Trinity International IL. He was in regular rotation for the Illini's 1993 NCAA tourney team coached by Henson); Garvin Roberson (70/3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 1971-72 and 1972-73. As a wide receiver, Indiana native led the Illini in pass receptions all three years from 1971 through 1973, finishing career with 84 catches for 1,357 yards and 10 touchdowns), and James Schuldt (92/1.2 ppg from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Combes).
2021 - Bill Burwell (80/15.3 ppg and 9.6 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Combes. Burwell was the Illini's runner-up in rebounding each of his last two seasons, participating in NCAA tourney as a senior); Gerald "Jed" Foster (69/4.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg from 1970-71 through 1972-73); George "Bogie" Redmon (77/9.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Combes), and Roger Taylor (84/13.7 ppg from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Combes. Taylor was an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as a senior when averaging team-high 17.9 ppg).
2020 - Max Hooper (88/6.8 ppg from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Combes. As a sophomore, Hooper was in regular rotation for national third-place team); Howie Judson (95/third-leading scorer in 1944-45 with 8.5 ppg. Righthander compiled a 17-37 MLB pitching record and 4.29 ERA with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds in seven MLB seasons from 1948 through 1954. He ranked third in A.L. in games pitched with 46 in 1950); Elias "Alvin" O'Neal (70/3.4 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 1970-71 before transferring to Morgan State); Harv Schmidt (84/12.4 ppg from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Combes. All-American and All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as a senior when the Illini's leading scorer became 11th pick overall in NBA draft. Schmidt coached his alma mater to an 89-77 record in seven seasons from 1967-68 through 1973-74), and Jerry Sloan (78/15.5 ppg and 12.4 rpg for Evansville from 1962-63 through 1964-65 after transferring from the Illini. All-American as a senior when repeating as Outstanding Player in NCAA College Division Tournament. But for Sloan's change of heart in 1977 after five days as coach of his alma mater, he would have been on DC-3 aircraft crashing after takeoff on December 13 that year. All 29 people aboard perished, including coach Bobby Watson, who had survived a 31-month tour of duty in Vietnam, where he earned five Purple Hearts).
MICHIGAN
2025 - Gregg Glenn III (22/played briefly for Michigan in 2022-23 under coach Juwan Howard before transferring to Tulane, where Glenn averaged 7.3 ppg and 4 rpg in 2023-24 and 2024-25 under coach Ron Hunter before Florida native drowned while swimming off coast of Miami with a friend).
2024 - Dan Fife (74/12.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg as team's third-leading scorer each season from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr. Fife, the father of Big Ten Conference guards Dugan Fife of Michigan and Dane Fife of Indiana, compiled an 82-97 coaching record with IPFW in six seasons from 2005-06 through 2010-11. RHP pitcher posted a 3-2 record with the Minnesota Twins in 1973 and 1974, hurling a complete game for his third victory against 16-year MLB veteran Rudy May); Bob Harrison (96/9.9 ppg from 1945-46 through 1948-49 before becoming 11th pick overall in 1949 BAA draft. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection led the Wolverines' first-ever NCAA tourney team in points scored in 1948 under coach Ozzie Cowles. Harrison compiled a 59-70 coaching record with Harvard in five seasons from 1968-69 through 1972-73); Steve Jordan (85/UM transfer averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg for NYU from 1961-62 to 1963-64 under coach Lou Rossini. Jordan was in the Violets' regular rotation with their 1963 NCAA tourney team), and Jerry Stern (90/4.8 ppg from 1951-52 through 1955-56).
2023 - Demetrius Calip Sr. (53/9.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 2 apg from 1987-88 through 1990-91. Member of 1989 NCAA titlist was an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as senior when leading the Wolverines in scoring and assists); Tom Fegan (88/played in mid-1950s), and Jim Skala (93/8.1 ppg from 1949-50 through 1951-52. He was senior captain when leading the Wolverines in scoring and rebounding.
2022 - Charles Higgs (81/3.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62) and Dr. Chuck Murray (93/6.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51. He was senior captain).
2021 - John Oosterbaan Jr. (79/10.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 1961-62 after transferring from Hope College MI. Runner-up in scoring with 14.7 ppg) and 1962-63 under coach Dave Strack).
2020 - James Barron Sr. (84/12.6 ppg and 2.9 rpg from 1953-54 through 1955-56. He was the Wolverines' MVP as a sophomore when leading them in scoring with 17.1 ppg before a knee injury hampered his career).