Newton Joined Four UCLA All-Americans With 12-0 NCAA Tournament Marks
If UConn's Alex Karaban, averaging more than 13 ppg for third consecutive campaign, becomes an All-American and the Huskies advance deep in the NCAA playoffs for third time in his career, he could join an illustrious list of A-As. Karaban's NCAA tourney record was 13-1 in his first three seasons.
Two years ago, Connecticut guard Tristen Newton joined a gifted group of four UCLA players (Lew Alcindor, Henry Bibby, Curtis Rowe and Sidney Wicks) as the only All-Americans to go undefeated in as many as 12 NCAA playoff games. Alcindor and Bibby are the only two from the star-studded contingent to average at least 14 ppg in NCAA playoff competition. Following is a list including them and six additional All-Americans with the best winning percentages in NCAA Tournament competition (minimum of 12 contests):
| All-American (Years A-A) | School | Playoff Record | Pct. | NCAA Tournament Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lew Alcindor (1967 through 1969) | UCLA | 12-0 | 1.000 | 25.3 ppg and 16.8 rpg from 1967 through 1969 |
| Henry Bibby (1972) | UCLA | 12-0 | 1.000 | 15.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg from 1970 through 1972 |
| Tristen Newton (2024) | Connecticut | 12-0 | 1.000 | 12 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 6.3 apg in 2023 and 2024 |
| Curtis Rowe (1970 and 1971) | UCLA | 12-0 | 1.000 | 13.8 ppg and 11.6 rpg from 1969 through 1971 |
| Sidney Wicks (1970 and 1971) | UCLA | 12-0 | 1.000 | 13.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg from 1969 through 1971 |
| Mikal Bridges (2018) | Villanova | 13-1 | .929 | 11.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 1.1 spg from 2016 through 2018 |
| Jalen Brunson (2018) | Villanova | 13-1 | .929 | 12 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.8 apg from 2016 through 2018 |
| Al Horford (2007) | Florida | 13-1 | .929 | 10.9 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 2005 through 2007 |
| Dave Meyers (1975) | UCLA | 12-1 | .923 | 12.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg from 1973 through 1975 |
| Shabezz Napier (2014) | Connecticut | 12-1 | .923 | 13.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg and 1.7 spg in 2011, 2012 and 2014 |
| Joakim Noah (2007) | Florida | 12-1 | .923 | 12.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 3.2 bpg from 2005 through 2007 (DNP in 2005 opener) |